In the inaugural game of the Players Era Festival, the San Diego State Aztecs will face off against the No. 7 ranked Michigan Wolverines. This exciting matchup is set to take place on Monday at 7:30 p.m. PT at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. Fans can catch the game live on truTV or listen in on radio station 760-AM.
Team Records and History
The Aztecs come into the game with a record of 2-1, while the Wolverines are undefeated at 4-0. Historically, the teams have met once, with Michigan winning the previous encounter 72-58 in Ann Arbor on December 4, 2021.
Aztecs Performance Insights
- San Diego State has a current neutral-court record of 16-11 during the Brian Dutcher era.
- They rank third in the nation for neutral site success, behind Duke and Houston.
- The Aztecs have won their last four games against ranked teams in Las Vegas.
However, the Aztecs are coming off a challenging double-overtime loss to Troy, marking their first home defeat in a buy game since 2018. This was also the first time they wore their new Nike N7 turquoise uniforms, designed to honor Native American communities.
Key Players for San Diego State
Magoon Gwath made a significant impact in his season debut after recovering from knee surgery, scoring 20 points and grabbing seven rebounds in 28 minutes of play. His potential starting role could alter the lineup, affecting players such as Jeremiah Oden and Miles Heide.
Miles Byrd also showcased determination, despite playing with a heavily wrapped index finger on his shooting hand, finishing the game with 24 points. Meanwhile, Reese Dixon-Waters added 16 points while navigating illness.
Michigan Wolverines Overview
The Wolverines started their season strongly with a 121-78 victory over Oakland. However, subsequent games have seen them face challenges, nearly losing matches against Wake Forest and TCU. Coach Dusty May is still exploring various lineup options, assessing whether to utilize transfers Aday Maray, Morez Johnson Jr., and Yaxel Lendeborg together or in smaller combinations.
Important Wolverines Players
- Aday Maray: 11.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.0 blocks per game.
- Morez Johnson Jr.: 13.3 points, 7.5 rebounds per game.
- Yaxel Lendeborg: 15.0 points, 7.8 rebounds per game.
North Carolina transfer Elliot Cadeau and Nimari Burnett have taken starting roles in the backcourt, with Roddy Gayle Jr. contributing off the bench. Cadeau previously faced SDSU and posted nine points and 12 assists during that game.
Game Strategy and Predictions
San Diego State will need to focus on rebounding and limiting Michigan’s transition plays to secure a victory. Notably, the Wolverines have struggled with turnovers, averaging 15 per game. The Kenpom projection estimates a close contest with Michigan edging out a victory at 77-72.
The Wolverines’ next matchup will be against Oregon on Tuesday evening in Las Vegas. Fans can anticipate an engaging festival filled with competitive basketball and vibrant atmosphere.
