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About once a week, San Diego State has made a habit of cutting it close.
Utah State took the Aztecs to overtime. Colorado State pushed back late to shave its game against SDSU to single digits.
The closest of all came last Wednesday, when Boise State led by 16 with just more than 11 minutes to go. Then the No. 5-ranked Aztecs — who hadn't looked much like their ranking to that point — turned on the afterburners for an improbable 67-65 win that left a crowd at Taco Bell Arena stunned.
And now, coach Steve Fisher and SDSU (21-1) prepare to take on Wyoming, a team that knocked the Aztecs off last year when they were ranked No. 15 in the nation.
"A year ago there, we had nine points at halftime," Fisher said Monday. "And I don't think I need to say anything more in terms of difficulties they present when you play them."
It is more than fair to point out that San Diego State has been playing it a bit fast and loose these last few weeks, especially on the road. College basketball observers are now on upset alert whenever the Aztecs take the floor.
Still, here they are, on a 20-game winning streak. Fisher said he's been happy to see his offense improve to match a smothering defense.
"We found a way — different ways, different games — to win," he said. "Good teams do that. And we're hopeful to continue that trend. We're all smart enough to know that every game is challenging."
Bubble trouble for Colorado?
Without star Spencer Dinwiddie, Colorado has done well for itself in winning its last three games.
The Buffs, perhaps like no other team in the Pac-12, are on the NCAA Tournament bubble. ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi put Colorado (18-6, 7-4) as one of the last four teams to receive a bye in the first round.
But that road is about to get significantly tougher: With seven games remaining, the Buffs play five on the road. That includes playing away at UCLA, Utah, Stanford and Cal. Colorado also must play Arizona State and Arizona at home — neither of whom will be easy opponents.
The Buffaloes have done OK without Dinwiddie thus far, but their backloaded schedule could burst their bubble altogether.
Holt keeping Gaels alive
Saint Mary's is fighting a tight battle for the second spot in the West Coast Conference behind Gonzaga, and senior guard Stephen Holt has been the team's biggest fighter for that goal, especially in the last week.
Holt earned WCC Player of the Week honors as the Gaels beat Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine, to remain just one win behind BYU. He averaged 23 points per game, and had a big night when he scored 29 points in overtime against the Waves.
Saint Mary's is coming up on a tough stretch of its schedule, taking on BYU and San Francisco in its next three games. Holt, who has emerged as the de facto go-to guy after Matthew Dellavedova's departure to the NBA, will be tested plenty as the WCC hurtles toward a close finish at the top.
Twitter: @kylegoon