Darrion Trammell calls San Diego State practices 'intense'

San Diego State star Darrion Trammell mentioned the team’s practices were quite intense ahead of the Final Four.

That has to count for something, considering the Aztecs made their way to the big stage. Trammell mentioned how that type of intensity carried the team all year long.

The excitement didn’t start in the regular season, rather it began in the summer during preseason.

“Our practices are intense,” Trammell said. “It started in the summer. We first got to campus, and everyone was really excited about the year, and we all were battling. We just didn’t know about play time, our depth, we didn’t know anything, everyone was out there battling.

“That carried throughout the entire season. Each practice we know what’s at stake. We have opportunities ahead of us. Each game wins — each time or moment in the game matters. So we’re just very, very intent on what we do at practice, just because we know anything can lead to a loss. So we’re all locked in at all times.”

The only “blue blood” in this year’s Final Four might be UConn, considering the program’s title history. The others: San Diego State, Florida Atlantic and Miami, aren’t traditional powers in the sport.

Trammell dismissed any notions of a “boring” Final Four when asked by the on-site media contingent.

“I think it’s the evolution I was talking about earlier, the game as a whole,” Trammell said. “Mid-majors have some good players. So I think we’re just representing that. And a lot of teams here have a chance to make history for their schools and for the city they come from. Kind of have to respect that. It’s a blessing for us to be here. That’s all I have to say about that.”

Keshad Johnson echoed his teammate’s sentiment.

“I mean, you understand what they’re saying, like, so you could take the message personal or you could not understand where they’re coming from,” he said. “We understand where they’re coming from. No Blue Bloods in here or anything like that, mid-majors in here. So it’s not really — it’s nothing really crazy about it. We understand what they mean.

“And it’s a chip on our shoulder. We’re used to it. We’re used to mid-majors. People not expecting mid-majors to be on a stage like this. I wouldn’t really take it personal. I take it with a grain of salt and stay focused and get it done.”

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San Diego State returns to the hardwood Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET against Florida Atlantic for a spot in the national championship.