Sophomore guard Jamaal Franklin is the first San Diego State player since Brandon Heath in 2006 to win Mountain West Player of the Year honors. He will likely be named the conference's preseason Player of the Year next fall with New Mexico standout Drew Gordon being out of eligibility.
Junior guard Chase Tapley is the only player in school history to play in three consecutive NCAA tournaments. San Diego State had only appeared in March Madness five times in its history before the current streak of three straight appearances.
FINAL RECORD: 26-8, 10-4, tied for first place in Mountain West.
2011-12 SEASON RECAP: San Diego State squashed predictions of a rebuilding season with a strong start that included victories over Arizona and California. The only losses in the first 20 games were to NCAA tourney teams Baylor and Creighton. The Aztecs went 6-1 in the first half of Mountain West play before suffering through a 2-4 stretch that included a sobering upset loss to Air Force. San Diego State rebounded to tie New Mexico for the regular-season crown before losing to the Lobos in the conference tournament title game.
QUOTE TO NOTE:
"We met a lot of people's expectations for us, but we didn't meet our own. Coach Fisher is a great leader and watch out for this team next year." Senior center Tim Shelton after the loss to North Carolina State.
