Davis Delivers, Cherry Dominates: SDSU Turns Its Attention to Colorado

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A 24-point victory over Cal State Fullerton isn’t going to turn many heads nationally, but San Diego State’s 102–78 season-opening win Tuesday night deserves more credit than it will likely receive. Fullerton entered the matchup having recently defeated Fresno State 96–78 in an exhibition, knocking down 12 three-pointers in the process. The Titans weren’t afraid to shoot from the perimeter, but SDSU made life difficult for them, holding Fullerton to just 7-of-32 from beyond the arc. More importantly, the Aztecs dominated the glass 50–28 and generated an overwhelming 27–4 advantage in second-chance points. For a team still establishing its identity, Tuesday offered plenty of reasons for optimism.

Perhaps the most exciting development was the performance of Latrell Davis, my preseason pick for San Diego State Player of the Year. After redshirting last season, Davis looked comfortable and confident, finishing with a game-high 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including five made three-pointers. His 18 first-half points helped SDSU establish an early advantage, but what impressed me most was his efficiency. Davis wasn’t forcing shots or trying to manufacture offense. He let the game come to him while demonstrating an ability to take over when needed. SDSU has several players capable of scoring, but Davis appears to have the highest offensive ceiling on this roster. I’ve maintained since the preseason that the Aztecs will go as far as Davis takes them, and Tuesday only strengthened that belief.

While Davis provided the offensive fireworks, SDSU’s frontcourt established the physical identity that ultimately separated the two teams. Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry continued to look like one of the most physically imposing players in the PAC-12 , finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks in just 23 minutes. His combination of strength and physicality presents a difficult matchup for most opponents, and if he remains healthy, I believe he’s capable of earning second-team all-conference honors. However, Cherry cannot play 40 minutes every night, making the development of Luca Vincini particularly important. The Italian big man contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in just under 16 minutes, showing encouraging progress offensively and defensively. Although Vincini is expected to provide a different dimension as a stretch five, he did his damage inside Tuesday. His three personal fouls remain an area to clean up, but his performance offered encouraging evidence that SDSU may have a dependable option when Cherry needs a break.

The frontcourt’s success extended beyond its centers. Tae Simmons quietly delivered one of the most impressive performances of the night, recording 14 points and 11 rebounds, including five offensive boards. His effort helped SDSU generate 27 second-chance points compared with just four for Fullerton. That 23-point difference nearly matched the final margin of victory and might be the most revealing statistic from the entire game. SDSU won’t always shoot efficiently, but its ability to dominate the glass and create extra possessions could become a defining characteristic of this team. It’s a style of basketball that should translate against stronger competition, provided the Aztecs can maintain the same physicality.

Despite scoring 102 points, there were areas that need improvement. Elzie Harrington contributed 15 points and four assists, while Chance Gladden dished out eight assists, but the perimeter offense was inconsistent outside of Davis. Isaiah Sy finished just 2-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-8 from three, while Gladden made only one of five attempts. The Aztecs also committed 15 turnovers compared with Fullerton’s nine. Those mistakes were manageable against a Big West opponent but could prove considerably more costly against stronger competition. Davis won’t shoot over 60% every night, and SDSU will eventually need more consistent offensive contributions from its supporting cast.

There are also lingering questions surrounding SDSU’s European newcomers. While Vincini appears increasingly comfortable in his role, I don’t believe Luka Skorić or David Torresani are quite ready to become consistent contributors. Skorić missed approximately a month of valuable preseason preparation because of injury, and that lost time is evident as he continues developing chemistry within Dutcher’s system. I still believe his size and versatility will make him a contributor this season, but patience is warranted. Torresani appears further away, and my early impression is that he may be a year away from being ready for meaningful rotation minutes. Neither assessment is a criticism of their long-term potential, but both players have adjustments to make.

One final observation had little to do with the box score. Despite an announced attendance of 10,677, the Viejas Arena student section didn’t seem to have the same energy that once made the building one of college basketball’s most intimidating environments. Perhaps it’s simply the early-season schedule, but the atmosphere felt different. The student section has historically been an essential part of SDSU’s home-court advantage, and I hope that intensity returns as the season progresses.

Colorado Awaits: The First Major Test

Saturday’s matchup against Colorado in the inaugural Bill Walton Classic at Pechanga Arena will provide a much better indication of where this SDSU team stands. The Buffaloes opened their season with a convincing 94–59 victory over Abilene Christian, shooting an impressive 60.3% from the field and 52.6% from three. After leading by just two points at halftime, Colorado erupted for 58 second-half points, demonstrating how dangerous its offense can become once it finds a rhythm. Sophomore guard Jalin Holland led the way with 18 points, while Josiah Sanders and Justin Neely contributed 14 apiece. Barrington Hargress and Ian Inman also combined for six made three-pointers, giving Colorado multiple perimeter threats SDSU will need to account for.

The matchup I’m most interested in, however, is the battle inside. Colorado outrebounded Abilene Christian 39–24, while SDSU dominated Fullerton 50–28. Both teams demonstrated their ability to control the glass, but Saturday will test whether the Aztecs can maintain that advantage against Big 12 competition. Cherry will be central to that effort, but Simmons’ rebounding and Vincini’s production off the bench could prove equally important. If SDSU can establish its physical presence and generate second-chance opportunities as it did Tuesday, the Aztecs will put themselves in an excellent position to compete.

The other major concern is ball security. Colorado generated 20 fast-break points in its opener, an alarming statistic considering SDSU’s 15 turnovers against Fullerton. The Aztecs cannot afford to give the Buffaloes easy transition opportunities, particularly against a team capable of shooting the ball so efficiently. Saturday will also provide an important test for Davis against high-major competition. If Colorado focuses its defensive attention on limiting his opportunities, SDSU will need Harrington, Sy, Gladden, and the rest of the backcourt to provide more consistent production. Rebounding, limiting turnovers, and defending the perimeter will ultimately be the keys to Saturday’s matchup.

Final Thoughts

Tuesday was an encouraging start, but one game doesn’t define a season. Davis looked like the offensive leader I expected him to become, Cherry continued to establish himself as a force inside, and Vincini provided encouraging signs that SDSU may have the frontcourt depth necessary to compete at a high level. The Aztecs still need to improve their ball security, find greater consistency from their perimeter players, and allow their newcomers time to develop. Nevertheless, I believe the victory over Fullerton deserves more recognition than it will receive. Tuesday showed us what San Diego State is capable of becoming. Saturday will give us a better indication of how close the Aztecs are to reaching that potential.

San Diego State faces Colorado on Saturday, November 7, at 12:30 p.m. PT at Pechanga Arena. The game will be televised on USA Network.