San Diego State Aztecs host Grand Canyon Antelopes in key Mountain West matchup

Magoon Gwath's return from injury boosts the Aztecs as they look to take sole possession of first place in the conference standings.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The San Diego State Aztecs will host the Grand Canyon Antelopes in a key Mountain West Conference men's basketball game on Tuesday night. The Aztecs, led by the return of star center Magoon Gwath, are looking to take sole possession of first place in the conference standings. Gwath missed the first meeting between the teams, which the Antelopes won 70-69, but is now back and playing at an elite level, providing a major boost for the Aztecs.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for the Aztecs' hopes of winning the Mountain West regular season title. With the conference race tight, a win would give SDSU a half-game lead over Utah State atop the standings. The Aztecs were the preseason favorites to win the conference, while Grand Canyon was picked to finish fourth in its first season in the Mountain West.

The details

Gwath, the reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, returned from a six-game injury layoff on Saturday and made an immediate impact, scoring 13 points with 5 blocked shots in just 14 minutes of action. His 3-point shooting and elite rim protection will be key against the Antelopes. SDSU coach Brian Dutcher said Gwath's return is a "different dynamic" that could be the difference in the Aztecs' quest for a conference title.

  • The teams first met on January 21, with Grand Canyon winning 70-69.
  • Magoon Gwath returned to action for SDSU on Saturday, February 11.
  • Tipoff for Tuesday's game is set for 7 p.m. PT.

The players

Magoon Gwath

A 7-foot center for the San Diego State Aztecs, Gwath is the reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. He missed the first meeting between the teams but is now back and playing at an elite level, providing a major boost for the Aztecs.

Brian Dutcher

The head coach of the San Diego State Aztecs, Dutcher is excited to have Gwath back and believes his return could be the difference in the Aztecs' quest for a Mountain West title.

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What they’re saying

“Just at an elite level, he's shooting the three. The ball's not even dropping below his shoulders and at 7-foot, it's tough to get to that shot. That 3-point shot has made him a major concern to everybody who we're going to play for the rest of the season and that doesn't even take into account the five blocked shots he had.”

— Brian Dutcher, Head Coach, San Diego State Aztecs (SI.com)

What’s next

The Aztecs can take a half-game lead atop the Mountain West standings with a win on Tuesday, as Utah State doesn't play until Wednesday night against Boise State.

The takeaway

Magoon Gwath's return from injury provides a major boost for the San Diego State Aztecs as they look to secure the Mountain West regular season title. His elite rim protection and 3-point shooting make him a matchup nightmare for opponents, and his presence could be the difference in the Aztecs' quest for a conference championship.