A one-and-done NCAA tournament experience now ranks as a disappointment to San Diego State.
That's mighty different than the seasons when just making the field was one of the biggest accomplishments in school history.
The Aztecs had never won an NCAA tournament game prior to advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2011 and the unprecedented success made this year's foray hard to swallow as San Diego State was ousted by North Carolina State in its first game.
Then again, this was forecasted to be a rebuilding season for San Diego State (26-8). But little-used Jamaal Franklin emerged into the Mountain West Player of the Year as a sophomore and the Aztecs exceeded expectations.
Yet the quick departure was stinging to everyone associated with San Diego State's program.
"I'm very disappointed," Franklin said. "A lot of guys out there thought that was a rebuilding year as you all always mention but I'm glad of what we accomplished.
"But I can see us going farther. That's why I'm disappointed. We all played well and we just got to get ready for next year. We have to remember what just happened, but we have to move on."
Expectations will be high next season as San Diego State returns four starters and welcomes a highly regarded class of recruits and transfers. The Aztecs will be forecasted to not only reach the NCAA tournament but to advance to the Sweet 16.
In other words, much higher than they were entering this season after San Diego State lost four starters, including first-round NBA pick Kawhi Leonard.
"Usually expectations are higher than they need to be," San Diego State coach Steve Fisher said. "Our kids are a proud group that felt they could be good. And yet we had a lot of moving parts to replace and I thought they did an admirable job from Game 1 to now of doing that.
"To win 26 games and be co-champs (with New Mexico) in our league, that's a really good accomplishment."
