Brian Dutcher reveals key to San Diego State's success in March

San Diego State isn’t a newcomer to March Madness. The Aztecs have made three straight NCAA Tournaments and 10 of the last 14. Even so, they’ve reached an all-new level during this go around with their first opportunity in the Final Four just a day away.

So, what gives? What’s the difference for SDSU this time around? In Brian Dutcher’s opinion, it starts with the program’s constant desire to grow and improve over the course of the year. He says they don’t put a ceiling on themselves as they fully believe they’re going to continue to get better even over their time in Houston

“Well, I think the one thing, and anybody that’s followed Aztec basketball knows this. But, no matter what kind of team we’ve had and where we finish, we get better as the year goes on. That’s just our culture,” said Dutcher ahead of the Final Four. “If you think you’re good enough now and you can’t get any better? Don’t get off the bus. We have another level to go. And, even today, the message was if you don’t think we can get better at practice today then don’t practice.”

“We can get better every time we step on the floor. If you deliver that message and they believe in it? They’ll get better as the season goes on,” Dutcher said. “So, as good as we play or as bad as we play, we’re going to get better as the season goes on. That’s part of our culture.”

Dutcher went on to discuss how the foundation that Steve Fisher built also aids them. He said the program’s all-time winningest coach taught him how to make everyone feel like they were involved in the victories. With that in mind, he’s carried that over to his time now leading the program.

“I learned from Coach Fisher a long time ago. Everyone says you were really patient as an assistant coach waiting for your opportunity. It’s because I always felt like I was contributing,” Dutcher added. “If you get good people, you let them work; you delegate. So as much as Coach Fisher was winning, because they were his teams, I felt like they’re not winning unless I’m doing what I do.”

“My assistant coaches…all feel like they’re contributing to the success. They all feel like, ‘I’m the reason we’re winning’. I want them to feel that way,” said Dutcher. “You don’t win unless you have good coaches and good players that believe they can get better.”

Culture is a word that people toss around a ton in sports. Still, Dutcher had no other word to define how the Aztecs have succeeded and it’s completely justified. It’s what has made them a force out in the Mountain West for some time and now has them on the verge of potentially winning a national championship for the first time ever.

“People talk about culture. They’re in their third year into a head coach in a program. Culture is 24 years in one place. That’s where I’ve been,” Dutcher said. “That’s culture.”