The Xman's mighty mo is building

Mark Ziegler after watching Xavier Thames in the San Diego State - Utah State game on Saturday:

The final 3½ minutes of regulation and the ensuing overtime should be required viewing for members of the Wooden Award committee that didn’t deem Xavier Thames among the nation’s best 25 players.

Here’s a breakdown of what Thames did in less than eight minutes, accounting for all 17 of SDSU’s points:

Regulation: Driving assist to Josh Davis that tied it at 52. Free throw to give SDSU its first lead since the 12-minute mark. Blocked shot at 6-3. Another driving assist to Davis on the screen and roll. Two free throws. Somehow caught a full-court pass in a tangle of taller players and nearly made a 12-footer at the buzzer to win it.

Overtime: Driving assist to Skylar Spencer for a dunk. Steal. Layup. Pull-up jumper. Deep, contested 3 as the shot clock expired to put SDSU up four with 51 seconds left. Forced a turnover. Free throw to put SDSU up five.

His 31 points were a career high. More impressive was what he did in the second half and OT: 23 points, 7 of 11 shooting, 3 of 5 behind the arc, 6 of 8 at the line, four assists, three steals. In all, he played 39 minutes. Turnovers: zero.