San Diego State Aztecs ranked No. 6/7 in the latest Top 25 poll’s

Feb 15, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State Aztecs head coach Steve Fisher talks with his team in a huddle during the second half against the Air Force Falcons at Viejas Arena. The Aztecs won 64-56. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego,CA- The San Diego State Aztecs dropped one spot, to 6th, in the Associated Press and two spots, to 7th, in Coaches Top 25 poll this week. The Aztecs were previously ranked number five in both the Associated Press and Coaches Top 25 poll’s. The latest rankings really show how far the Aztecs have come as a program and how much respect the Aztecs have nationally among the college basketball voters. As in past years or even it was a different program, a loss to an un-ranked Wyoming team as the number fifth ranked team in the nation, would’ve resulted in a much bigger drop in the polls. 

The only teams ahead of the San Diego State Aztecs are Syracuse,  Florida, Wichita St, Arizona, Duke and Louisville.

The No. 6/7 San Diego State Aztecs suffered their second loss of the season last week against the Wyoming Cowboys 68-62. The loss snapped the Aztecs 20 game winnings streak.

The Aztecs rebounded on Saturday, as they defeated the Air Force Falcons 64-56. The Aztecs started the game slow on offense against the Falcons, until they went on a 12-6 run to end the half and give the Aztecs a 24-23 halftime lead. 

The game remained close to start the second half, until Xavier Thames nailed a three pointer to start a 10-0 run by the Aztecs to give them a 38-28 lead. The Falcons would cut the Aztecs lead to 44-40, until the Aztecs lead by Shepard went on a 9-0 run to increase the Aztecs lead to 53-40 with 5:20 left.

Once again the would’t go away easily, as the Falcons cut the Aztecs lead again to four at 54-50 with 2:28 left in the game.

Shepard who scored 14 of his team leading 16 points in the games final minutes, scored five of the Aztecs final 10 points to put the game away and give the Aztecs a 64-56 win.

Shepard lead the Aztecs with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 blocked shot, 1 steal. The Aztecs are now 5-0 on the season when Winston Shepard leads the team in scoring. Dwayne Polee II had another solid game off the bench with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 1 blocked shot.

The Aztecs improve to (22-2, 11-1 MWC) on the year. With the win the Aztecs are now tied for the third-most conference wins in a single league season with 11,  Aztecs also extended their home win streak to 11, which is the eighth-longest in program history.

The Aztecs also continue to be the highest ranked team on the west coast, with 25th ranked UCLA being the only other west coast team ranked in the Top 25 poll’s. In program history the Aztecs are 29-3 all-time as a Top 10 team.

The Aztecs return to the court Tuesday night as they host Utah State on and then head to New Mexico on Saturday to take on the second place Lobo’s.