After Loss to Gonzaga, SDSU Basketball Preps for Players Era Festival in Las Vegas

Following three straight home games to begin their season, which included two wins and a loss to the Gonzaga Bulldogs, the San Diego State men’s basketball team will hit the road for the first time this season when they travel to Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival. 

The Aztecs will have had a week in between their loss to Gonzaga and their game against No. 14 ranked Creighton on Tuesday. Coach Brian Dutcher said in a press conference that his team showed good and bad things in their loss to the No. 3 ranked Bulldogs, Dutcher’s first loss at home against a top 25 ranked team as the Aztecs coach.

“We’re trying to grow our program and get better everyday,” Dutcher said. “It should be a competitive basketball game in Las Vegas on Tuesday.”

Creighton is coming off their only loss on the season to Nebraska, where they never led in a 74-63 defeat.

The Aztecs and Bluejays have had recent history against each other. Their last meeting was in the Elite Eight in 2023, which resulted in a 57-56 win for the Aztecs to send them to the FInal Four. 

After the Aztecs and Bluejays face off on Tuesday, Wednesday brings the Aztecs to a matchup with Oregon, who will enter the tournament undefeated at 5-0. 

The final day of the tournament falls on Saturday, with the matchups including the championship game to be determined.

Tuesday’s game will be broadcasted on TBS and will tip off at 11 a.m. Wednesday’s game will start at 1 p.m. and be broadcasted on TNT. All times are Pacific Time.