The Road To March: 7 Must-See Games On The San Diego State Women's Basketball 2025-2026 Schedule
The San Diego State Aztecs Women's Basketball program is gearing up for a highly-anticipated 2025–2026 season, following a historic run that culminated in a Mountain West Tournament Championship and their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 years. As of today, December 19, 2025, the full schedule has been released, promising a challenging slate of games that will test a revamped roster under the leadership of Head Coach Stacie Terry-Hutson.
This season is all about building on the momentum of their recent success, even with significant roster changes. Fans should prepare for a thrilling non-conference stretch and a grueling Mountain West schedule as the Aztecs attempt to repeat as conference champions and secure another coveted spot in the Women's March Madness bracket.
San Diego State Aztecs Women's Basketball: Coach and Roster Snapshot (2025-2026)
The foundation of the Aztecs' recent success lies with their experienced coaching staff and a mix of returning talent and exciting new additions. The team is poised to showcase a new-look dynamic following a championship season.
Head Coach Biography: Stacie Terry-Hutson
- Full Name: Stacie Lynne Terry-Hutson
- Current Role: Head Women's Basketball Coach, San Diego State University
- Tenure at SDSU: Entering her 12th season (2025-2026)
- Playing Career: University of Texas at Arlington (1994-1998)
- Career Highlights: Led the Aztecs to the 2025 Mountain West Tournament Championship; first NCAA Tournament bid since 2012-2013 season.
- Notable Recruits: Secured commitments from 6'3" post players Mayenabasi Akpan and Mairead Hearty, adding significant size to the roster.
Key Roster Entities & Season Outlook
The 2025-2026 Aztecs will look different after the departure of key players, including Mountain West Tournament MVP Veronica Sheffey, who transferred to TCU. However, the core of the team remains strong, with several players ready to step into larger roles and become the new leaders at Viejas Arena.
- Nat Martinez: A proven scorer and former Mountain West Player of the Week, expected to lead the backcourt.
- Kennedy Lee: A versatile guard/forward whose production will be vital in the non-conference slate.
- Trinity Zamora: Expected to be a major contributor in the frontcourt, providing scoring and rebounding depth.
- New Post Players: The addition of Mayenabasi Akpan and Mairead Hearty addresses the need for size and interior defense, a critical factor in Mountain West play.
- Returning Contributors: Kendall Mosley, Ellie Chen, Alyssa Jackson, CJ Latta, Sofia Kelemeni, and Aubrey Cook will all be essential rotation players.
The 2025-2026 San Diego State Women's Basketball Schedule Breakdown
The Aztecs’ schedule is strategically designed to prepare the team for the intensity of the Mountain West Conference. The non-conference schedule features several high-profile matchups, while the conference slate is packed with competitive games against familiar foes. The team will play its home games at the iconic Viejas Arena.
Non-Conference Schedule Highlights (Curiosity-Driven Matchups)
The early season action is highlighted by two major contests that will test the Aztecs’ new personnel against high-level competition. These games will be crucial for building an NCAA Tournament resume.
- Nov. 3 (Mon) vs. UCLA (in Anaheim): A massive early-season test against a Pac-12 powerhouse in a neutral-site environment. This game will immediately gauge the team's readiness.
- Nov. 8 (Sat) vs. Cal State San Marcos: The home opener at Viejas Arena, providing an opportunity for the new-look roster to gel in front of the Aztec faithful.
- Other Key Non-Conference Opponents: Look for the Aztecs to fill out their schedule with regional rivals and mid-major challenges to boost their RPI.
Mountain West Conference Schedule: The Title Defense
The Mountain West Conference has become one of the most competitive mid-major leagues in the nation, and the Aztecs' title defense will be a gauntlet. The conference schedule officially tips off in December, leading up to the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas.
While the full schedule is extensive, here are the dates and opponents confirmed to be crucial in the 2025-2026 season:
| Date | Opponent | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 17 (Wed) | Nevada / Colorado State | Varies (Home/Away) | Mountain West Opener. A crucial first step in conference play. |
| Jan. 24 (Sat) | UNLV* | Varies (Home/Away) | A key matchup against a top conference contender. |
| Jan. 31 (Sat) | at San Diego State (vs. Nevada) | Viejas Arena | A potential rivalry game with conference implications. |
| Feb. 4 (Wed) | Boise State* | Varies (Home/Away) | Always a physical and unpredictable Mountain West contest. |
| Feb. 21 (Sat) | Fresno State | Varies (Home/Away) | A long-standing regional rivalry game. |
| Mar. 7-10 | Mountain West Tournament | Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas | The ultimate goal: defending the conference title and securing an automatic NCAA bid. |
*Note: The full, finalized home/away designations and times for all Mountain West games are released by the conference and should be checked on the official goaztecs.com website for the most up-to-date information.
The Impact of Transfers and the Aztecs' New Identity
The biggest storyline for the 2025-2026 season is the team's ability to adapt after the successful 2024-2025 campaign. The transfer portal saw Mountain West Tournament MVP Veronica Sheffey depart, which creates a significant scoring and leadership void. This challenge, however, presents a massive opportunity for the returning core and new recruits to forge a new identity.
Coach Terry-Hutson has consistently built a program focused on defense and balanced scoring. The new 6'3" post players, Mayenabasi Akpan and Mairead Hearty, signal a shift toward a more dominant interior game, leveraging size against Mountain West opponents. This strategy will be necessary to contend with teams like UNLV and Wyoming, who are always tough conference rivals.
The focus will be on the development of sophomore and junior players like Ellie Chen and Trinity Zamora. If Nat Martinez can elevate her scoring to an All-Conference level, and the new post players can contribute immediately, the Aztecs will remain a strong contender for the Mountain West crown. The team’s ability to defend the perimeter and control the boards will ultimately determine their seeding for the conference tournament in Las Vegas.
Topical Authority and Key Entities for the 2025-2026 Season
To truly understand the landscape of the San Diego State Women's Basketball program, it is essential to be familiar with the entities and concepts that drive the season. This knowledge offers crucial context for every game on the schedule.
- Mountain West Tournament: Held annually at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aztecs are the defending champions.
- NCAA Tournament (March Madness): The ultimate goal, a single-elimination tournament for the national championship. The Aztecs made their first appearance in over a decade in 2025.
- Viejas Arena: The iconic home court for the Aztecs, known for its electric atmosphere and passionate student section, "The Show."
- RPI/NET Ranking: Crucial metrics used by the NCAA Selection Committee to evaluate team quality and determine at-large bids. The non-conference games against UCLA and other Power Five schools are vital for boosting these rankings.
- Rivalry Games: Key matchups against regional teams like Fresno State and conference rivals such as Boise State, UNLV, and Wyoming always carry extra weight.
- Aztec Athletics: The broader context of the San Diego State University sports program, which has seen immense success recently, including the men's basketball team’s national runner-up finish.
- Key Opponent Entities: Colorado State Rams, Nevada Wolf Pack, Utah State Aggies, San Jose State Spartans, Air Force Falcons, and New Mexico Lobos.
The 2025-2026 season for the San Diego State Women's Basketball team is set up to be a fascinating follow-up to their championship year. With a demanding schedule and a roster full of new talent, every game, from the November opener against UCLA to the final whistle of the Mountain West Tournament, will be a must-watch event for college basketball fans.
Detail Author:
- Name : Jaren Morissette
- Username : armstrong.treva
- Email : camryn.kovacek@yahoo.com
- Birthdate : 2007-07-14
- Address : 975 Ignatius Forks Johnsmouth, MA 00223
- Phone : +1 (318) 599-6399
- Company : Stamm, Moore and Maggio
- Job : Payroll Clerk
- Bio : Qui quia et architecto non. Rerum odio velit aut et voluptatem facere. Minima iusto at adipisci atque quasi quo sapiente ut.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/olson2005
- username : olson2005
- bio : Reprehenderit enim sit qui incidunt ut in. Eum nemo minus voluptatem incidunt.
- followers : 6159
- following : 2912
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/olsonh
- username : olsonh
- bio : Maxime dolores vitae et deleniti sunt.
- followers : 2018
- following : 681
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/harmon5121
- username : harmon5121
- bio : Assumenda vel molestias quo est.
- followers : 2553
- following : 1132
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/olsonh
- username : olsonh
- bio : Itaque est quidem deserunt. Necessitatibus molestiae delectus nemo et. Blanditiis explicabo ratione rerum dolorem. Et ducimus quos autem est ipsa dolorum.
- followers : 6855
- following : 786
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@olsonh
- username : olsonh
- bio : Eos ullam nihil rerum ut.
- followers : 1083
- following : 2483
