AZTECS CLARIFY FINAL POSITIONING; FANTASIA READY FOR PAC-12 CHALLENGES NEXT YEAR!
Aztecs will remain home during tournament play, citing injuries and lack of desire to compete in lower level tournaments
Las Vegas, NV - March 13: San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher reacts against New Mexico in the semifinal of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by K. C.
Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images) Aztecs cite injuries and venue challenges as the reason to end the season without playing in any postseason tournaments. Snub ends streak of five straight NCAA appearances Coach Brian Dutcher was hopeful, but realistic about the Aztecs playing in the postseason. He issued a statement that said the Aztecs, who finished the season at 22-11, would not accept an invitation to play in the NIT or any other postseason event.
“I’m disappointed for our players and our great fans that we weren’t selected to compete in this year’s NCAA Tournament. There are only 68 spots available and unfortunately, we didn’t get one of them,” said Dutcher. “Physically, our team is very banged up at this point.
If we had received a bid for the NDAA Tournament, we would have competed. However, with where we are today physically I don’t feel that playing in another postseason event would benefit us. ” The 22 wins are the most ever by an Aztec team not to play in the postseason.