San Diego State's men's basketball team, which finished fourth in the Mountain West Conference last season, will open the 2008-09 season with three consecutive home games beginning Nov. 15 against UCSD. A date with potential preseason Top 25 pick Arizona State on Nov. 18 precedes a visit by Fresno State on Nov. 22.

Other key nonconference matchups on the schedule announced yesterday include a home date with USD on Dec. 6 and a visit to Arizona on Dec. 10. The MWC opener will be Jan. 3 at Air Force, and SDSU's conference home opener is Jan. 10 against Utah.

The early going for SDSU's women's team, which advanced to the title game of last season's conference tournament, is a bit more daunting. After opening at home against Northwestern State (La.) on Nov. 14, the Aztecs play six straight road games, including a date with national power UConn on Nov. 20. SDSU will also compete in the Jack in the Box Rainbow Classic in Honolulu Nov. 28-30. The Aztecs open conference play Jan. 7 at home against Air Force.

Season tickets for both teams go on sale at 9 a.m. Monday. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Aztec Ticket Office at (619) 283-7378 or by visiting Window E at Qualcomm Stadium.

– MICK McGRANE