NCAA Men's Basketball: San Diego State vs. Arizona Preview

San Diego State may have made the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons, making it to the Sweet 16 last year, but this season marks a new ball game.

San Diego State is 5-1, but unranked with a loss against No. 12 Baylor on Nov. 15.

Arizona, on the other hand, is No. 23 in the nation, but just fell to unranked Mississippi State.

This figures to be a close game throughout with the Aztecs given a golden opportunity to enter the Top 25 and start another impressive run.

Where: McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz.

When: Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Watch: Channel 4 San Diego, Fox Sports Arizona Plus

Listen: AM 600 KOGO, 95.7 FM; 1290 AM (Arizona)

Betting Line: Arizona -7

Key Injuries

San Diego State: No injuries to report

Arizona: Alex Jacobson, C, Questionable

What's at Stake?

After falling to Mississippi State, the Arizona Wildcats look to get back on track against SDSU.

Losing against San Diego State would likely knock Arizona out of the Top 25 while SDSU could join the coveted Top 25.

The last time San Diego State faced Arizona was on Dec. 12, 2009. The Aztecs won that game, 62-46, en route to the NCAA Tournament.

The Wildcats, now in a better position, will be looking for some payback come Wednesday.

What They're Saying

San Diego State head coach Steve Fisher is wary of Arizona headed into Wednesday's matchup.

Said Fisher in Tuesday's press conference, via the Aztecs' official home page:

"

Arizona is very deep. They've got a wonderful blend of talented freshmen and experienced, skilled veterans. That's a good combination. Going into their last game, they averaged almost 33 free throws a game. So they attack off the dribble. Against St. John's, they took 29 threes out of their 60 shots. They're a team that makes (shots), spreads the floor and are well coached. When you run after them, they go by you to the rim. We'll have our hands full. It's a good team. They score points in bunches. They're a team that can make six shots in a row so we have to do a good job with our technique and not worry if they make a couple of shots on us.

"

Arizona head coach Sean Miller, despite the loss to Mississippi State, is happy with his team's performance so far given the circumstances.

Said Miller, via CBSSports.com:

"

We've seen a lot in an early month, and I'm very happy with four wins. We played 40 minutes against zone and pressure against St. John's and then you go from a 9 o'clock start to playing the next day against a very different style with Mississippi State's size, with only a shootaround to prepare. But we didn't play well on offense or defense for sure.

"

San Diego State Player to Watch: Jamaal Franklin, G

Guard Jamaal Franklin has been coming off the bench this season, but the sophomore made a name for himself on Saturday against Long Beach State, getting a season-high 54 minutes and responding with 21 points and nine rebounds in the Aztecs' 77-73 overtime win.

If Franklin keeps playing like this, averaging 18 points per game, he's going to find his way into the starting lineup in no time.

Arizona Player to Watch: Jesse Perry, F

Senior forward Jesse Perry is emerging as a true double-double threat for the Wildcats, with four double-doubles in his first five games.

He scored 11 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked two shots against Mississippi State.

If Perry gets going against San Diego State, it's going to be hard for the Aztecs to pull off an upset.

Key Matchup: San Diego State offense vs. Arizona defense

San Diego State has the ability to score some points against an average Arizona defense, but the Aztecs have also shot just 38.8 percent from the floor in their last three games.

Franklin's impact will be needed against Arizona, and the rest of the team needs to step up like in the first three games to upend the Wildcats.

Prediction: San Diego State 75, Arizona 70