As a longtime college basketball fan and someone who’s followed mid-major programs closely for years, I’ve always had a soft spot for teams that build momentum in unexpected ways. Take the San Diego State Aztecs, for instance. Their journey through a season is a masterclass in resilience and tactical evolution, something that’s incredibly rewarding to follow live. If you're looking to catch every dribble, dive, and dramatic three-pointer of the SDSU basketball season, you're in for a treat. The access we have today is unparalleled compared to just a decade ago, and it allows fans to connect with the team's narrative in real-time. Speaking of narratives, consider their recent preseason activity. They have now won two in a row since getting swept by PLDT in their preseason opener, completing a surprise sweep of the Isabela leg. That little nugget isn't just a stat; it’s the beginning of a story. It tells you about a team responding to early adversity, adjusting on the fly, and building confidence. That’s the kind of arc you want to witness unfold game by game.
Now, let's get practical. Watching SDSU basketball games live primarily hinges on their conference affiliation and broadcast partnerships. The Aztecs, as a powerhouse in the Mountain West Conference (MW), benefit from a robust media deal. The majority of their conference games, and many high-profile non-conference matchups, are televised on CBS Sports Network and Fox Sports networks, including FS1. For me, CBS Sports Net has been the most consistent home for their Wednesday night showdowns. For cord-cutters, streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV are absolute lifesavers, as they all carry these channels in their base packages. I personally use YouTube TV for its reliability and cloud DVR, which lets me record every game even if I’m stuck in traffic on the 5 freeway. Then there’s the digital home team: the Mountain West Network (MWN). This is your go-to for games that aren’t picked up by national TV, often early-season contests or some road games. The streaming quality has improved dramatically, and it’s usually free. It’s a more raw, intimate viewing experience, sometimes even featuring the school’s student broadcast crew.
But following a team is more than just watching the 40 minutes of game time. To truly understand the season, you have to immerse yourself in the ecosystem. I make it a point to follow a few key beat reporters on Twitter, like James H. Williams from The San Diego Union-Tribune. Their pre-game insights, injury updates, and post-game analysis provide the context the TV broadcast might miss. The official team social media accounts on Instagram and Twitter are fantastic for behind-the-scenes content—practice clips, player spotlights, and that all-important locker room vibe after a big win. After a game like that surprise sweep in Isabela, seeing the players' own reactions on social media adds a whole other layer. I also subscribe to a couple of dedicated Aztec fan forums. The discussions there can be… spirited, let’s say, but they’re filled with die-hard fans who break down film and discuss recruiting in obsessive detail. It’s where you learn about the potential of a new recruit or the strategic adjustment a coach like Brian Dutcher might be tinkering with.
Let’s talk about that preseason turnaround again, because it’s a perfect case study. Getting swept by PLDT in the opener could have sent a young team into a spiral. Instead, they rattled off two straight wins and grabbed that sweep in Isabela. To me, that signals a few things: strong leadership from the veterans, effective coaching adjustments, and a short memory. When you watch the games live after a start like that, you’re not just watching for the win or loss; you’re watching for the response. You see how the point guard controls the tempo after an early turnover, how the defense communicates after a breakdown. That’s the real-time analysis that makes you feel like part of the process. I remember a game last season where they were down by 12 at the half and came out with a full-court press that completely changed the energy. You could feel the shift even through the screen. That’s the magic of live sports.
Of course, the ultimate experience is attending a game at Viejas Arena. The atmosphere is consistently ranked among the top 5 toughest places to play in college basketball, and for good reason. The student section, “The Show,” is legendary for its creativity and volume. If you can’t make it to San Diego, following along on radio via the Aztec Sports Network is a wonderful old-school alternative. Ted Mendenhall, the voice of the Aztecs, paints a vivid picture. I’ll often sync the radio broadcast with the muted TV feed for a more localized commentary experience—it’s a pro-tip I highly recommend. As for data, while the exact viewership numbers for a specific MW game are hard to pin down publicly, a marquee SDSU game on CBS can draw an audience in the range of 400,000 to 700,000 households, which is significant for a conference game. Their deep NCAA tournament runs, like the 2023 national championship game appearance, have catapulted them into a more regular national spotlight, which in turn secures them better TV slots.
In the end, following SDSU basketball is about embracing the journey of a program that consistently punches above its weight. They’ve built something special under coaches like Steve Fisher and Brian Dutcher, a culture of defense, toughness, and continuous growth. The preseason, with its stumbles and surges, is just the first chapter. The way they bounced back from that PLDT sweep to dominate the Isabela leg is a microcosm of their identity. By leveraging the array of viewing options available today—from national TV to niche streaming, from social media deep dives to arena visits—you don’t just watch a season; you live it alongside the team. You witness the development of players, the refinement of strategy, and the collective heart of a team that never seems to believe it’s out of a fight. So, find your preferred screen, tune in, and get ready. The next chapter of Aztec basketball is always must-see TV.
I remember watching the 2023 invitational tournament where Choco Mucho secured their bronze medal finish, and it struck me how much perfecting set pieces con
