BYU, San Diego State to meet in college basketball clash at Acrisure Arena

Acrisure Arena is continuing to cement its name as one of the top spots for college basketball, as it was announced Monday that two more top-tier teams will face off when BYU and San Diego State meet in Palm Desert on Dec. 19.

The Arena, which seats around 11,000 for basketball and is located in the greater Palm Springs Area, has held a large Thanksgiving week tournament the past three years and will again this November called the Acrisure Series, but this year three more high-end college hoops games have been added to the winter calendar under the Acrisure Series umbrella.

Monday's announcement is the most recent reveal as the Cougars and Aztecs will tip off at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 19. It will be the second big game played that day at Acrisure Arena as heavyweights Gonzaga and Michigan State will play earlier in the day at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets for the BYU-San Diego State game go on sale Wednesday, July 22 at 10 am at Ticketmaster.com. Those tickets will be separate from the Gonzaga-Michigan State game as the arena will be emptied between games.

“We are thrilled to welcome the BYU and San Diego State programs to round out our holiday college basketball program at Acrisure Arena,” said Total Sports Consulting President and co-tournament director Dan Shell. “Having this matchup bookend the Michigan State/Gonzaga doubleheader creates an incredible holiday basketball experience and continues to elevate what the Acrisure Series represents nationally.”

BYU was a top 25 team all year last year and look to maintain that momentum despite two of its stars being drafted by the NBA. San Diego State had a rare off year last season, missing the NCAA Tournament, but the Aztecs were in the national championship game as recently as 2023. These teams are former rivals who used to be in the same conference and this game may have a lot of impact when it comes to making the NCAA Tournament this march.

“We are looking forward to renewing our series against Brigham Young, one of the most storied rivalries in West Coast basketball, at this year's Acrisure Series," said San Diego State head coach Brian Dutcher. "Some of the most memorable and exciting games in San Diego State history have come against the Cougars, and it's been three years since our last meeting."

The third showcase game that had already been announced will see none other than Duke face off against Washington State on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Tickets are already on sale for both the Duke-Washington State game and the Gonzaga-Michigan State game.

The full for the Thanksgiving Week Acrisure Series which will feature more than 20 teams has not yet been announced.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: BYU, San Diego State to meet in college basketball clash at Acrisure Arena