Identity

For so long, the identity of the SDSU athletic program has been one of close calls and pratfalls, near-misses and implosions.  Today, three Aztec teams have a big chance to forge their identity:

• The senior class on the men's team has very little to look back on and call their own.  NIT appearances?  Second-half fades?  No longer.  Now, they have this run.  Lorrenzo Wade, stepping up yesterday to play the biggest and best game of his SDSU career.  Game, gutsy play from Spain, Richie, and Amoroso.  Last night, the Aztecs LOOKED like a tournament team.  A win today, and the chance to cut down the nets in Vegas and claim a Mountain West title...now THAT would be a banner you could hang at Cox Arena.  They can beat Utah and I think they will.  
• The women's team is already a virtual shoo-in for an NCAA berth and a chance to play the first two rounds at home.  But a MWC championship would help seal Beth Burns' identity as the greatest coach on campus.  This game could be a real toss-up, but I'm hoping the positive mojo of the Aztec contingent in Vegas will lift the ladies over the top.  
• The baseball team, fresh off a 4-3 win over UNLV last night at Tony Gwynn Stadium, can make it 3 straight and 6 out of 7 if they can pull out a win over the Rebels this afternoon.  Jon Berger has thrown nothing but quality starts so far this season, and if the senior keeps it up, the Aztecs will take a big step toward forging their identity as a contender for a postseason berth this year.

I'm off to the ballpark, all the SDSU baseball action is available at goaztecs.com.  Also, a hat tip to the UCSD women, and the clutch shooting of my Triton Talk guest Annette Ilg, who hit a jumper with 5 seconds left to give the Tritons a first-round one-point win over CSUDH.  Good luck to the Triton ladies tonight against Northwest Nazarene!