Aztecs and Tritons Renew Crosstown Rivalry in Unique Matchup

After a hiatus from their annual matchup, the San Diego State Aztecs and UC San Diego Tritons are set to face off once again on the basketball court. The two local programs have a long-standing history, and their upcoming clash promises to be a thrilling affair for basketball fans in the San Diego region.

A Renewed Rivalry Fueled by Competitive Spirit

Ending a Drought, Rekindling a Crosstown Clash

With the expiration of their previous series against USD and UCSD, it appeared that San Diego State's basketball team might not face a Division I opponent from the city for the first time in 27 seasons. However, the streak will continue, as UCSD has included the Aztecs in their 2024-25 season opener on November 6th at Viejas Arena. This one-off matchup, known as a "buy" game, will see SDSU pay the Tritons $80,000 to host the contest without a return date at UCSD's LionTree Arena.

A Competitive History and the Lure of Home-Court Advantage

The Aztecs and Tritons have a long-standing history on the hardwood, with SDSU holding a 14-0 all-time advantage over their crosstown rivals. However, the majority of those victories came when UCSD was still a Division II program, and the Tritons have proven to be a formidable opponent since their transition to Division I. In fact, UCSD nearly pulled off an upset last season at LionTree Arena, leading the Aztecs by 14 points with just seven minutes remaining before a late surge by SDSU secured the victory.

Navigating the Challenges of Nonconference Scheduling

This one-off matchup is a common approach for programs of SDSU's caliber when it comes to nonconference games against teams with middling metrics, especially those in the same city. Top 25 programs often prefer to play on their own terms, in front of their home fans, and with familiar officiating crews from their own conference. By hosting UCSD at Viejas Arena, the Aztecs can maintain this advantage while still providing an exciting crosstown clash for local basketball enthusiasts.

Roster Turnover and the Unpredictable Nature of the Matchup

Both the Aztecs and Tritons have undergone significant roster changes since their last meeting, with key players departing through graduation and the transfer portal. SDSU is replacing all five starters from their Sweet 16 team, while UCSD has lost their leading scorer and a key frontcourt contributor. This makes it challenging to predict the competitiveness of the upcoming matchup, as the teams will be relying on new faces to step up and lead their respective squads.

Anticipation and Excitement for the Crosstown Clash

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the rosters, the anticipation for this crosstown clash is palpable. UCSD coach Eric Olen has praised the electric atmosphere at LionTree Arena during last season's close encounter, and the Tritons will undoubtedly be eager to replicate that energy and potentially pull off an upset on the Aztecs' home floor. For SDSU, the opportunity to maintain their dominance over their local rivals while providing an entertaining showcase for the city's basketball fans is a win-win proposition.