San Diego State Relies on New Guard Trio to Revive March Hopes
Coach Brian Dutcher turns to transfer Chance Gladden, sophomore Elzie Harrington, and veteran Latrell Davis as the Aztecs face Cal State Fullerton Tuesday.
By Jessica Abebe ·
San Diego State enters its first season in the Pac-12 Conference with a new guard rotation that must carry the offense. The Aztecs open their home schedule against Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday, a game that will test the chemistry of three players who did not start together last year.
The group includes Elzie Harrington, the only returning guard from last season’s roster. The 6-foot-5, 197-pound sophomore started 17 games as a freshman, averaging eight points on 47.9% shooting. He missed the final two weeks of his freshman year due to a leg injury. In last week’s exhibition against 21st-ranked USC, Harrington scored 19 points and dished out four assists.
Latrell Davis provides depth and veteran presence. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound guard spent two years at San Jose State, appearing in 66 games. He directed the Aztecs’ scout team last season. Coach Brian Dutcher praised Davis’ tenacity, noting that the player would have started the recent exhibitions against Arizona and USC if not for a recurring looseness in his shoulder. Davis played 16 and 19 minutes off the bench in those games, respectively.
Chance Gladden is the new point guard. The 6-foot-4, 192-pound transfer from Boston University was overlooked out of high school, according to his own account. He attended a private prep school in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he averaged 26 and 29 points in his final two seasons. At Boston University, he started 31 games and averaged 14.4 points and 4.5 assists. His free-throw percentage of 86.7 ranked 61st in the country.
Gladden’s exhibition performances showed promise. Against Arizona, he scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds. USC’s defensive pressure limited him to one point, three assists, and three turnovers, but he maintained his composure. In a matchup against Long Beach State, he was the team’s best player, recording 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting and seven assists in 20 minutes.
Chris Acker, the second-year head coach at Long Beach State and a former San Diego State assistant, views Gladden as a pivotal addition. Acker served as an assistant at San Diego State for five seasons, including the year the team finished as national runner-up.
“I think they’re going to go as he goes,” Acker said. He cited Gladden’s stoic demeanor and confidence as key factors. Acker emphasized that having a point guard who can shoot the ball is a major strength for Dutcher’s system.
San Diego State also has depth in Zach White, a 6-foot-5 freshman competing for bench minutes. White hit two corner three-pointers against Long Beach State and received praise from Acker for a drive to the basket. However, the primary burden falls on the Gladden, Harrington, and Davis trio.
Acker believes the offense will evolve around these players playing off one another. “We know you win in March with guards,” Acker said. “So, they’ve got enough guards to do it. They’ve just got to keep getting better.”
The Aztecs barely missed the NCAA Tournament last year after making it six straight times. Dutcher’s team must now prove this new guard core can sustain that momentum in a competitive conference.
