Brian Dutcher explains when San Diego State believed going on a deep run was possible

San Diego State is on the ride of their lifetimes as Brian Dutcher and his veteran group take on UConn in tonight’s National Championship game. While this senior-laden Aztec squad has had their eyes on a deep March run for years, most folks can hardly believe a program of their nature is actually one of the final two standing in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

Coach Dutcher, however, noticed early in the season that this could be a potentially special group. According to the Aztec head coach, a strong showing against UCLA in a preseason scrimmage had him excited.

“We had a close scrimmage against UCLA. And I think they got ahead maybe like 20-some points on us in the first half. We ended up tying it at halftime, like 44 to 45, and you’re like, wow, we’ve got a really good team. And then it was back and forth in the second half. And they beat us maybe in a one-possession game. And so at that point, you know, even that early, you’re thinking…wow, we might have something really good here.”

As for the personnel, Dutcher returned a hefty core of upperclassmen but also added a few key pieces via the Transfer Portal. In particular, Jaedon LeDee and Darrion Trammell have been terrific in the later rounds for SDSU.

“I said it before, I thought the addition of Jaedon LeDee was going to be a huge difference maker for us,” said Dutcher. “We knew Darrion was going to be a good new piece, but Jaedon, having watched him practice for a full year.

“It took Jaedon a little while to get his feet underneath him. He was trying so hard to have success he was almost pressing his game. You look at the difference he made last night. He was the guy we went to for two baskets down the stretch. And so the addition of he and Darrion, we knew with what we had coming back gave us a chance to be really good.”

With those two plus reserve wing Micah Parrish, Brian Dutcher added a perfect trio of veteran imports to a roster that already returned five seniors and a junior. In the tournament, those transfers have actually come on to do some of the heavy lifting.

Trammell had a terrific weekend in Louisville in the regional semifinal and final rounds while LeDee’s been the team’s most consistent scoring threat in the front-court.