December 22nd 2024.
The much-anticipated men's basketball game between San Diego State and Cal at SAP Center on Saturday night was one that will surely go down in history as the Adversity Bowl. Both teams faced significant obstacles leading up to the game, making it a true test of their resilience and determination.
The challenges began for San Diego State when they encountered flight cancellations the day before their scheduled departure. Coach Brian Dutcher shared that they even attempted to fly out of a different airport, but the fog was so thick that they couldn't see anything. However, he jokingly added that he didn't fire his assistant, Ryan Badrtalei, who had assured him that it never gets foggy in Irvine where he used to work.
Despite their best efforts, the Aztecs were unable to secure a flight until the next day, resulting in a long bus ride for the team. And while 18 members were able to make it onto the plane, the rest of the team and staff had to take a separate bus to the arena, arriving just minutes before tipoff.
On the other hand, Cal had their own struggles to overcome. They arrived early for their scheduled shootaround, only to find that one of the rims was not regulation height. Coach Mark Madsen acknowledged that this could have thrown off their shooting, but he refused to make excuses for their performance.
The game itself was a slow start, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. The first half was a defensive battle, with San Diego State leading by only 9 points at halftime. But in the second half, the Aztecs came out strong and quickly took control of the game with their impressive shooting from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, Cal continued to struggle with their shooting, only making their first 3-pointer in the second half. The Aztecs' disruptive defense proved to be too much for the Bears, as they were held to a mere 25% shooting overall.
Despite the difficult circumstances leading up to the game, San Diego State showed their resilience and came out on top with a 71-50 victory. Guard Nick Boyd shared that the challenges actually brought the team closer together, as they had time to hang out and bond while trying to figure out their travel arrangements.
In the end, it was a testament to the Aztecs' mental strength and focus that allowed them to overcome the adversity and emerge victorious. As Coach Dutcher put it, "If we're focused mentally, we can do whatever we want." And they certainly proved that on the court that night.
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