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During its 62-42 beat-down of Utah State last week, San Diego State looked like the Mountain West Conference's best team — one headed for the NCAA tournament and capable of a deep run.

But is that the Aztecs' destiny?

Are they Sweet 16 material?

My opinion: not sure.

My reasoning: San Diego State is only halfway to being an elite team.

As Utah State discovered, the Aztecs are superb on defense. The Aggies scored 16 points in the first 24 minutes of their loss to San Diego State before coach Steve Fisher, with victory assured, began substituting.

"They were great defensively," Utah State coach Stew Morrill said. "… They make it hard for you to get much."

According to Aggie junior Trace Cureton, the Aztecs' size and athleticism allows them to play a trapping, swarming, aggressive style of defense that is unique in the the Mountain West.

"Their press is something else," he said. "… The scout team does their best in practice, but it's a little different when you are out there."

The improving Aggies aren't chopped liver. They went to San Diego after winning three of four games. In that stretch, they averaged 68.2 points and scored at least 70 three times. But the Aztecs shut them down, with Fisher saying his team has never played better defense.

Utah State "has been playing some terrific basketball," he said. "They run their set plays to perfection and we made them play scramble ball."

Said Morrill: "… I love their talent level, I love how hard they play defensively and I love how well they rebound. Their coaching staff needs to be praised [for] how hard they get them to play defensively."

On offense, however, San Diego State did not play like an NCAA tournament team. The Aztecs, who have struggled to score all season, managed only 21 points in the first half.

San Diego State was more effective in the second half, but the Aggies' intensity dropped as their deficit increased.

Although Fisher was encouraged — "In the second half, I thought we made the right play," he said — the Aztecs' offensive shortcomings could doom them in March.

Still, San Diego State will be one of at least two Mountain West teams to play in the NCAA tournament. Colorado State is the other. Both have RPIs in the 20s and, barring a collapse, the Aztecs and Rams will dance.

Beyond those two, however, the Mountain West might be in trouble.

Wyoming is 18-4 but missing a signature non-conference win. (Colorado no longer counts). Boise State's four-game losing streak after star Anthony Drmic was declared out for the season could bury the Broncos. New Mexico's at-large chances also took a hit because of injury; Cullen Neal hasn't played since November.

As always, the league's postseason tournament provides the wild-card.

If neither San Diego State nor Colorado State win — and UNLV is lurking, as always, because the tournament is played on its home floor — the Mountain West will get three teams into the NCAAs.

By then, perhaps, San Diego State will find an offense. —

Tribune Power Rankings

The West

1. Gonzaga (22-1, 10-0)

Has won last five games by at least 18 points each.

2. Arizona (20-2, 8-1)

Wildcats defensive energy reached a crescendo against Oregon State.

3. Utah (17-4, 7-2)

Sickness might've bogged them down more than originally thought.

4. San Diego State (17-5, 7-2)

Home cooking is sweet: Got revenge against Fresno State.

5. Stanford (15-6, 6-3)

Couldn't defend the paint in the shootout with Wazzu.

6. Colorado State (18-2, 5-2)

Hoping for a turnaround in road struggles against Wyoming.

7. Saint Mary's (18-5, 9-2)

Turnovers were the main issue for the Gaels falling to Pepperdine.

8. Oregon (15-7, 5-4)

Joseph Young and the Ducks showed a lot of heart in OT win over Sun Devils.

9. Wyoming (17-3, 6-1)

Wednesday's duel with the Rams could determine Mountain West's at-large bid.

10. UCLA (14-7, 5-2)

Norman Powell's aggressiveness, Tony Parker's return added a spark.