Watching this SDSU basketball team evolve over the course of the season has been a fascinating study in resilience and strategic refinement. I have to admit, after that preseason opener where they were swept by PLDT, I, like many observers, had some serious questions about their ceiling this year. That kind of result can linger, shaking a team's confidence. But what we've witnessed since, particularly that surprise sweep of the Isabela leg, isn't just a bounce-back; it's a statement. It signals a team that has identified its flaws, made critical adjustments, and is now operating with a newfound cohesion. This turnaround forms the perfect case study to dissect the five keys that are driving their current dominance and, more importantly, that will dictate their future success. From my perspective, it’s the blend of tactical maturity and raw, adaptive talent that makes this group so compelling.
The first and most immediate key has been the dramatic improvement in perimeter defense. Against PLDT, they looked a step slow on close-outs, allowing open looks that buried them early. Fast forward to the Isabela games, and the energy level was completely different. The guards are now fighting through screens with purpose, and the rotations are crisp. It’s not just about athleticism; it’s about communication. You can hear them talking on every possession, a sign of a team that’s locked in. I’ve always believed defense is about want-to, and this group clearly wants it. They’ve shaved off a significant amount of points allowed in the paint, I’d estimate around 12 points per game since that opening series, which is a staggering turnaround. This defensive identity is the non-negotiable foundation for everything they want to achieve. It travels well, it survives cold shooting nights, and it demoralizes opponents. If they maintain this intensity, they’ll be in every single game.
Offensively, the key has been the emergence of a true secondary playmaker. Early on, the offense felt stagnant, too reliant on one or two players to create everything. That made them predictable. Now, we’re seeing beautiful ball movement and a genuine "pass-first" mentality from multiple positions. The assist numbers tell the story—they’ve jumped from an average of maybe 14 per game to closer to 22 during this win streak. That’s the kind of stat that wins championships. It’s not just about making the extra pass; it’s about making the right pass, the one that leads to a great shot rather than just a good one. I’m particularly impressed with how their big man has developed his passing from the high post. That one addition to his game has opened up driving lanes and created easy baskets from cuts. This unselfishness is infectious and makes them incredibly difficult to game-plan against. You can’t just trap the primary ball-handler anymore.
Another subtle but crucial element is their dominance on the defensive glass. Winning the rebounding battle, especially defensively, is a quiet killer of opponent momentum. It limits second-chance points and fuels their own transition game. In the Isabela sweep, I’d wager they held their opponents to under 8 offensive rebounds per game, which is an elite number. This isn’t accidental. It’s a product of systematic boxing out and a collective commitment from all five players. The guards are chipping in, which is so important. Rebounding is about effort and positioning, and this team is excelling at both right now. It’s a boring key to some, but to me, it’s the hallmark of a disciplined, tough-minded team. It shows they’re willing to do the gritty work that doesn’t always show up on the highlight reel.
Looking ahead, the key to sustaining this success lies in bench production and depth management. The starting five is clicking, but a long season requires reliable minutes from the second unit. We saw glimpses of this in Isabela, where the bench didn’t just maintain leads but extended them. Developing that 7th, 8th, and 9th man into consistent contributors will be the coaching staff’s biggest challenge. My view is they need to identify one or two specific, limited roles for these players—a defensive stopper, a spot-up shooter—and let them thrive in that niche. Trying to make them do too much can backfire. Finally, and this is perhaps the most intangible key, is maintaining the underdog mentality. Now that they’ve swept a leg and are on a winning streak, they’ll have a target on their back. The hunger they played with after the PLDT loss was palpable. They must bottle that feeling, that slight edge of having something to prove, even as expectations rise. Teams that start believing their own press clippings often stumble.
So, where does this leave us? The sweep of the Isabela leg was no fluke. It was the direct result of addressing glaring weaknesses and doubling down on core strengths. The defensive tenacity, the unselfish offense, the rebounding discipline—these are sustainable traits. The path forward is clear, though not easy. Nurturing bench depth and guarding against complacency are the next frontiers. From my seat, this team has the blueprint and, more importantly, the apparent buy-in from every player to execute it. They’ve transformed early-season doubt into a compelling narrative of growth. If they can keep evolving at this pace, focusing on these five keys, they aren’t just contenders for a few impressive wins; they’re building the profile of a team that can make a deep, memorable run. That’s an exciting prospect for any fan of the game.