By all accounts 2016 was a terrible year. Both the San Diego State Aztecs and New Mexico Lobos could probably agree with that sentiment. The Aztecs missed the NCAA tournament for the first time in seven years in 2016. New Mexico was bounced in the first round of the Mountain West tournament and missed the postseason for a second year in a row.
This year both teams are looking to bounce back after a bad start to the season. San Diego State finished the out of conference schedule 8-4, including three straight losses to Loyola Chicago, Grand Canyon, and Arizona State.