Column: Aztecs’ nail-biter with Nevada proves Matt Bradley needs offensive support

You wish Aztecs senior guard Matt Bradley would tuck a Fitbit into his uniform to fully understand the workload he absorbs each game.

There he is, darting and driving to create a shot out of situations that stubbornly refuse to provide one. There he is, pounding and banging against the trees to transform contact into critical free throws.

There he is, forced to do too much too often.

San Diego State needed all of Bradley’s 26 points Sunday to hold off short-handed, eighth-place Nevada, 65-63 at Viejas Arena. The whole of it showed March could be brief and deflating unless the scoring cavalry arrives.

“It’s by committee right now,” Aztecs coach Brian Dutcher said. “Matt is Matt. We’ve got to find someone else that has a good night with him that we can put up enough points to find a way to win a game.”

Bradley nearly outscored the other four starters (27-26). As he found ways to will points out of the possessions that mattered most, starters Lamont Butler, Trey Pulliam, Nathan Mensah and Keshad Johnson averaged 6.5 points versus the Wolf Pack.

The longer that continues, the harder the plowing gets for Bradley.

There’s not just a target on his back offensively. You can see the bright red rings from the International Space Station.

“Matt works for everything he gets,” Dutcher said. “Everybody knows he’s shooting the ball. So, it’s not like he’s a surprise and he’s a guy that pops up and has 26. He does it every game.”

The imbalance has become even more stark in Mountain West games.

Coming into Sunday, Bradley averaged 19.6 per game, with Butler next at 8.5. That gulf will increase on both ends after folding in the Wolf Pack. Mensah’s first points came more than 22 minutes into the game, while Butler’s entry into the scoring column required nearly 24 minutes.

San Diego State needed Bradley’s personal 11-5 run midway through the second half, including three straight 3-pointers, to secure a lead they held to the buzzer.

The Aztecs have won 27 consecutive games when scoring at least 65 points. They must find reinforcements for Bradley to get there. Do that, and the trademark defense gets them to the finish line.

“I really have to take accountability on myself,” Bradley said. “If I’m not shooting the ball and if I’m taking as many dribbles as I am, I should find somebody wide open.”

Should, for sure. Does it happen? Not often enough.

A season ago, departed scorers Matt Mitchell and Jordan Schakel each recorded at least 14.4 per game. In 2020-21, Malachi Flynn, Yanni Wetzell, Mitchell and Schakel all averaged double figures. Go back another season and three did. Go another and five scored 10 or more.

Offensively, Bradley routinely finds himself on an island.

Pulliam scored nine against Nevada, while Butler chipped in seven. Bradley, however, also led the Aztecs in rebounding (7) and steals (3), while tying a team high in assists (3).

“I though Trey’s offensive took a step forward from where it’s been,” Dutcher said. “Lamont is playing good downhill. So, it may not be another 20-point scorer (helping Bradley moving forward).”

The ripples of Bradley’s workload will increase as the season drags on. Later in games, the legs and lungs will be tested even more. That’s hardly a good formula for the player with the ball in his hands shooting so many key free throws down the stretch.

Bradley said he positioned himself to be workhorse-ready, if needed.

“I knew I needed to work myself into better shape,” Bradley said of his preseason plan. “I’ve been eating healthier. In practice, I’ve been doing more reps. There’s a lot of wear and tear on our bodies right now, but I’ve been making sure to do as much as I can in practice. But ultimately, just have better habits on and off the court.

“I stopped eating out. I’m starting to cook a little bit more. Less late-night eating. I love to eat food, so just making better decisions helped.”

San Diego State needed the healthier, sturdier Bradley in a game that should not have been close.

Nevada was missing leading scorer Grant Sherfield and double-digit-scoring forward Warren Washington, who were sidelined with injuries. The Wolf Pack had dropped four straight by an average of 16.5 points.

Still, the Wolf Pack roared in front 22-9.

In the first half, everyone not named Bradley combined for 16 points. The group finished the first 20 minutes 1 for 6 from 3 as Bradley drained two of his four attempts from that distance.

“His comfort level is way higher than it was at the start of the year,” Dutcher said. “I think he’s dribbling less. I think he’s more efficient. Matt was sensational, and we need him to be.

“That’s a lot of pressure, but I think that’s the pressure he wanted when he came here.”

Not even someone as skilled as Bradley can do it alone, though.