A Transition Season? Not So Far!

After last season, when the Aztecs went to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth year in a row, most Aztec fans were happy but figured this season would be sort of a transition. We lost a huge percentage of our scoring with graduating Seniors and Jamaal leaving early for the NBA. 

Those who bought into that idea forgot history. When the great 2010-11 season ended (34-3, MWC Championship, NCAA Sweet 16), it was with a proud but sad farewell to Kawhi Leonard, Billy White, Malcolm Thomas and DJ Gay. Oh well, next year will be a little bit of an off-year but we’ll rebuild. Wrong! It was a 20-8 season and another trip to the NCAA.

Now, this season’s dedicated team is following that script and doing even better, so far. Less regarded players were determined to be winners. They had senior Xavier Thames to provide veteran leadership – and he’s delivered a lot more! JJ O’Brien is back. Josh Davis is a newcomer who added a huge boost. Winston Shepard became a force. Add them to a mix of young players who were “secondary” last year, and they are 19-1 right now, with the only loss to Arizona, the #2 team in America, and 18 wins in a row since! The Aztecs are #5 in both national polls again this week!  

Not bad for a team in transition.

Special Congratulations to Coach Fisher – 300 Aztec Wins!
Saturday’s 65-56 win over Colorado State was Steve Fisher’s 300th Aztec victory. His first 100 came in 205 games. Another 144 games to get to 200 wins. And now to 300 in just 122 more games. There are only 18 active coaches at the Division I level who have won 300 games at the same school. So … a big CONGRATULATIONS to Coach Fisher. And I am convinced the best is yet to come!

Steve Fisher and The Show celebrate his 300^th win as an Aztec after the 65-56 win over Colorado State (photo by Ernie Anderson)

Go Aztecs!