SAN DIEGO — The watch party at Viejas Arena erupted in thunderous celebration on Sunday evening as San Diego State's name appeared on the NCAA Tournament bracket during the Selection Sunday broadcast. The Aztecs, who captured the nation's imagination with their run to the National Championship game in 2023, are heading back to the Big Dance with a 24-8 record and a second-place finish in the Mountain West Conference.
Head Coach Brian Dutcher, who has built SDSU into one of the most consistent programs west of the Rockies, was characteristically measured in his postgame comments. Dutcher emphasized that the team earned its spot, noting that nobody gave them anything. They went on the road and won tough games all year, showing the committee they belong. Now, he said, they get a chance to prove it on the biggest stage.
The Aztecs were seeded as a 7-seed in the South Region, setting up a first-round matchup against a 10-seed. Bracketologists had projected SDSU as safely in the field for the final two weeks of the season, but after a quarterfinal exit in the Mountain West tournament, a brief scare rippled through the fanbase before the bracket was revealed.
Local Excitement Builds
Across Encinitas and North County, the excitement was palpable. Sports bars along Coast Highway 101 were packed for Selection Sunday, with watch parties organized at local establishments. SDSU's 2023 Final Four run turned casual fans into devoted followers, and the program's return to the tournament has rekindled that energy.
SDSU alumni in Encinitas described themselves as true believers after the 2023 Final Four run. While this team is different from the 2023 squad, fans said, the culture is the same — they defend, they're tough, and they don't back down from anyone. Many had already booked hotels for the first-round games.
The Aztecs will open tournament play on Friday. With a program that has now made the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four seasons, SDSU has firmly established itself as a national brand — and San Diego as a basketball city.