Aztecs’ home game vs. UNLV rescheduled to Jan. 24

When the Mountain West rescheduled men’s basketball games for Boise State and had the Broncos playing three times in five days this week, it was probably only a matter of time before San Diego State was doing the same.

And now it will be. The conference announced Sunday that the Aztecs will slot the missed home game against UNLV on Jan. 24, between Boise State at Viejas Arena two days before and at Utah State two days after. Three games, five days.

“Like an NBA schedule,” a message to Aztecs players from staff said of the adjusted schedule.

The Aztecs (10-3, 2-0) have missed five conference games this month, first after COVID-19 outbreaks on their opponents and then within their own program. They were supposed to host UNLV last Tuesday. Both had an open date Jan. 24, as did CBS Sports Network, and the conference quickly made the change.

Tipoff will be 6 p.m.

That leaves four more postponed games: home against Fresno State and Nevada, away against Wyoming and New Mexico. The Aztecs now have an open date on March 1 after moving forward their home game against Colorado State, but the other four are all scheduled to play that day or the next.

The Aztecs had most of the roster quarantining from COVID-19 last week. The team had Sunday off, and most players are expected back at practice Monday or Tuesday. University protocols allow them to return to practice six days after testing positive but not play a game until at least 10.

That wiped out a road game at New Mexico and home game against the Rebels. Saturday’s home date against Boise State, then, should be their first game back. And with nearly the entire roster having contracted the virus, no further stoppages are expected for the remainder of the season.