The Aztecs handle the Dons

In Honolulu, San Diego State took down USF 80-58 as Chase Tapley was 'en fuego' with 33 points. Xavier Thames went for 10 points plus three assists.

The Aztecs conquer the Bruins

In Anaheim, San Diego State took down UCLA 78-69 as Xavier Thames produced 19 points (5-6 from three-point range) and four rebounds.

SDSU in a romp

As expected, San Diego State downed San Diego Christian 91-57 last night. Chase Tapley produced 18 points, six boards, five assists, three blocked shots and a trio of steals. Xavier Thames totaled nine points and two assists.

SD State beaten by Syracuse

A cold shooting San Diego State squad (17-63 overall, 1-18 from three and 14-33 at the foul line) fell to Syracuse 60-49 on Sunday. Chase Tapley went 3-13 (plus eight rebounds, three assists and three steals) and Xavier Thames 1-11 (plus five steals, three assists and three boards) for the Aztecs.

San Diego State wins

San Diego State took down visiting Cal State San Marcos 67-46 last night with Chase Tapley leading the Aztecs with 13 points. The two teams were tied at 26 after the initial 20 minutes.

Tapley and Xavier Thames (seven points, three assists, three steals) started in the backcourt.

Jose (De la Salle) Rivera totaled seven points for CSSM and Adam (Woodland) Eakles added four rebounds and two points.

Aztec athletics provides a game review.

Thames, Tapley and San Diego State

Rob Dauster writes in his Top 25 Countdown (with San Diego State as #11):

"...in SDSU’s back court, a junior Xavier Thames and seniors James Rahon and Chase Tapley make-up SDSU’s four-guard attack. Tapley is the leader in this group. He’s SDSU’s best shooter and the guy that often has the ball in his hands in crunch-time. He can do a little bit of everything on the floor and has been through the battles — barring a disaster this year, he’ll be the first player in program history to play in four NCAA tournaments. Thames is SDSU’s play-maker, and his ability to get out and run the floor is one of the reasons SDSU will be looking to push the pace this season..."

Sporting News honors Tapley and Thames

Two Nor Cal collegians are noted and honored:

"...Joining Franklin on the all-conference squad is senior guard Chase Tapley,which makes San Diego State the only Mountain West school with multiple honorees on the preseason team. The Sacramento, Calif., native was also labeled the league's top shooter.

The aforementioned duo, along with junior Xavier Thames make "arguably the best backcourt in the West," wrote Scott Smith of Sporting News Magazine..."

The ultimate compliment

Jon Rothstein: [San Diego State Coach Steve] Fisher on Xavier Thames "It was a seamless transition at point guard from D.J. Gay to him."

When one solid point departs and you hand the basketball to his successor, it's an unknown outcome. Thames came through and is just a junior. 

San Diego State profiled

Athlon Sports previews this season's San Diego State Aztecs, with DJ Seeley who has three consecutive Big Dance appearances on his résumé and Xavier Thames receiving prominent play.

A San Diego State preview, with a NorCal emphasis

Andy Glockner preview's this season's San Diego State Aztecs, which of course includes Xavier Thames and Chase Tapley.

A look at San Diego State (Tapley and Thames)

Michael Rogner previews San Diego State, with mention of Chase Tapley and Xavier Thames.

The seasons for Chase Tapley and Xavier Thames

The San Diego State season has concluded with the Aztecs boasting a 26-8 record so how did NorCal products Chase Tapley and Xavier Thames perform?

Tapley scored 15.8 points per game (second on the team) while shooting 46%, 43% and 72% respectively. He led the Aztecs with 60 steals, grabbed 4.3 rebounds a contest and passed for 77 assists.

Thames averaged 10.1 points per game (third on the team) shooting 40%, 31% and 83% overall. He topped the team with 128 assists while collaring 3.2 boards each time out.

Tapley will be a senior next season, Thames a junior.

San Diego State by three

San Diego State topped Boise State 65-62 led by 20 points, four assists and four steals from Chase Tapley. Xavier Thames went for 14 points, plus five boards, three assists and a pair of steals. The victory opened Mountain West Conference tournament play for the Aztecs.

San Diego St. 67. Wyoming 58

Host San Diego State got back to its winning ways tonight in beating Wyoming by nine points. Xavier Thames posted nine points and six assists while Chase Tapley scored 10 in an off-shooting night.

AF takes down San Diego State

San Diego State surprisingly fell to Air Force tonight 58-56 in Colorado Springs. Chase Tapley totaled a near double/double of 17 points and nine rebounds while Xavier Thames contributed nine points and five assists.

New Mexico 10 better than SDSU

New Mexico came to California and beat San Diego State 77-67 as Drew Gordon posted a very unique double-double of 17 points and the same number of rebounds. Xavier Thames had nine points and four assists for the Aztecs.

San Diego State 57, AF 44

The Aztecs of San Diego State proved to be 13 better than Air Force behind 16 points from Chase Tapley.

SDSU wins in The Pit

San Diego State went into Albuquerque and emerged with a 77-70 success against New Mexico. Xavier Thames exploded for 22 points (plus four assists) for the Aztecs while Chase Tapley went for 12 markers and seven boards. Drew Gordon put up 15 and eight for the Lobos and also notched four assists.

Tapley and Thames lead SD State

Chase Tapley scored 24 points and Xavier Thames was credited with six assists in San Diego State's 73-65 victory against Chicago State.

Praise for San Diego State's Xavier Thames

From Matt Norlander:

"With a healthy assist rate of 58.9 percent and 5.4 assists per game, sophomore Xavier Thames is the Mountain West’s best point guard right now"