San Diego State entered this season in the Top 25 for the first time in school history. The Aztecs then moved up by beating perhaps the best team in the West Coast Conference.
A win over the WCC's other top squad, Saint Mary's, could give the 17th-ranked Aztecs yet another boost in the poll.
San Diego State will be looking to avenge its most lopsided defeat of last season when the teams meet Wednesday night at Viejas Arena.
San Diego State (6-0) debuted at No. 25 and climbed seven spots following a 79-76 road win over then-No. 11 Gonzaga on Nov. 16.
The Aztecs kept rolling Friday night, beating NAIA opponent San Diego Christian 88-69 in their home opener.
Kawhi Leonard and Chase Tapley each had 14 points, though Leonard failed to reach double digits in points and rebounds for the first time in nine games. The sophomore forward finished with six boards while playing a season-low 23 minutes.
Despite the lopsided final score, San Diego State led by one with 7:19 remaining. Senior guard D.J. Gay knows a similar performance won't be good enough to beat the Gaels (6-1), who defeated the visiting Aztecs 80-58 last Nov. 16.
Saint Mary's led that game 42-21 at halftime and held San Diego State to a season-worst 35.7 percent shooting.
"We won't beat Saint Mary's if we play the way we did today," Gay said. "The energy will be there Wednesday. There will be no underestimating or overlooking our opponents or anything of that nature. They're a very good team and that's something we're all looking forward to."
San Diego, trying to move closer to matching the best start in school history at 8-0 last achieved in 2006-07, will face a team that's looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking first loss.
Saint Mary's fell 74-73 to then-No. 23 BYU in the South Padre Island Invitational championship game Saturday night, as Cougars star Jimmer Fredette hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 10 seconds left.
The Gaels, who won their first six games by an average of 34.2 points, had four players score in double figures and were led by Rob Jones with 18. Saint Mary's, though, allowed BYU to shoot 53.8 percent.
"I was proud of the team, they played well and competed hard," Gaels coach Randy Bennett said. "They know they played a good team and we played pretty well. If the shot doesn't go in, it's a different feeling."
Jones is one of five Gaels averaging double figures in points, with Mickey McConnell leading the way at 14.4. The Gaels are also outrebounding opponents 39.0-28.0 despite losing big men Omar Samhan and Ben Allen to graduation.
McConnell scored a team-best 24 against San Diego State last season. Leonard, the Aztecs' leading scorer in each of his first two seasons, was held to four points.
San Diego State won the last home matchup with Saint Mary's 70-66 on March 25, 2009, but trails 6-4 in the series.
