No. 23 Aztecs Open Tough Stretch, Take on Cal at San Jose Tip-Off

San Diego State‘s 10-day break is almost in the past and head coach Brian Dutcher sees a “really tough” three games ahead.

The contests start again Saturday, on a neutral court with Cal (7-4), followed by Utah State (10-1, 1-0 Mountain West) at home and Boise State (8-3), the preseason MW favorites, on the road.

“That’s a really difficult stretch for anyone,” he said at this week’s news conference.

Yet San Diego State (7-2, 1-0 MW), ranked No. 23 in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls, remains the only program in the MW to be included on either list.

SDSU, unranked going into the season and inexperienced, has logged statement wins against Houston and Creighton. But Dutcher said this of his work this season: “I’m just trying to get a young team better.”

“I tell them sometimes you think you’re playing hard and I’ve watched it a long time, and you’re not playing hard enough,” he said.

Sophomore BJ Davis understands that his game has to evolve.

“As I get older and as my game grows, I have to find ways to still be effective offensively,” the guard said. “Teams are guarding me tight, so I have to work harder for things now, which is how it’s supposed to be. I just have to find ways to get my shot up and score.”

San Diego State returns to action against Cal at SAP Center as part of the San Jose Tip-Off. Saturday’s doubleheader opens with Oregon and Stanford at 5 p.m. The Aztecs are set to follow at 7:30 p.m. in their final non-conference game. It will air on the ACC Network.