The Cal State Fullerton Titans and San Diego State Aztecs meet Monday in college basketball action at the Viejas Arena. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Cal State Fullerton Titans Betting Preview

The Cal State Fullerton Titans have won 20-plus games in back to back years and enter the 11th season under coach Dedrique Taylor. Max Jones returns after averaging 12.5 points and 4 rebounds, while Tory San Antonio averaged 7.8 points and 1.4 assists. Grayson Carper played in 558 minutes last season, and Vincent Lee averaged 4.7 rebounds. Cal State Fullerton says goodbye to a couple of its better players in Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Jalen Harris, but there’s enough returning production overall to have another respectable season in the Big West. This is an experienced roster with 7 seniors, and I don’t expect the Titans to go down quietly. 

San Diego State Aztecs Betting Preview

The San Diego State Aztecs are coming off a Final Four appearance and enter the seventh season under coach Brian Dutcher. Darrion Trammell returns after averaging 9.8 points and 2.4 rebounds, while Lamont Butler averaged 8.8 points and 3.2 assists. Micah Parrish played in 838 minutes last season, and Jaedon LeDee averaged 5.3 rebounds. San Diego State did lose its top player in Matt Bradley, who is playing overseas now, but the Aztecs return 3 of their top-4 scorers overall. SDSU also snagged a couple of transfers in Jay Pal from Campbell and Reese Dixon-Waters from USC. San Diego State has to find a guy who can get a bucket in clutch situations, but this will remain a well coached defensive squad that few want to play.

Randy’s Pick

The Cal State Fullerton Titans lost their best players from last season and now begin the season in a place where a lot of teams go to die. The San Diego State Aztecs are a national title runner-up from last season and return 3 of their top 4 scorers. There’s no reason why SDSU shouldn’t pick up where it left off and start the new season strong. Tough season opener for Cal State Fullerton. I’ll lay the points with the Aztecs at home.