Murray to Start in Aztecs’ Home Opener

Gerald Murray will start at center for San Diego State’s basketball team in its home opener against Arizona at 7:30 tonight in the Sports Arena.

Murray played 10 minutes coming off the bench in Monday’s 87-70 season-opening loss at UC Santa Barbara. He had one rebound and did not score.

Murray is the only Aztec with more than a season of major college experience. He averaged three points and 2.3 rebounds as a sophomore two seasons ago, but missed last season with a fractured right kneecap.

Murray, 6-feet 8-inches, reported to practice overweight this season, and his progress has been slowed by a sprained ankle.

“We’re going to try to get him in shape,” Coach Smokey Gaines said. “The only way to get him in shape is to play him.”

SDSU desperately needs Murray’s help. The Aztecs were outrebounded on Monday, 58-34.

“Right now, rebounding is what’s hurting us,” Gaines said. “We only had six offensive rebounds the other night. We need 10 or 15 more offensive rebounds when we are shooting from outside so much.”

Guards Josh Lowery and Tony Ross were impressive for SDSU in the season opener. Lowery scored a team-high 23 points, including 5 three-pointers; Ross scored 17 and also had 5 three-pointers.

Arizona, the defending Pacific 10 champion, lost its season opener Nov. 22 to Nevada Las Vegas, 92-87, in the first-round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Sophomore forward Sean Elliott, who averaged 15.6 points last season, is the Wildcats’ top player. Steve Kerr, an all-Pacific 10 guard, will miss the season after suffering torn ligaments in his right knee at the World Championships in Spain during the summer.

Freshman forward Jud Buechler, who led Poway High School to three straight San Diego Section 3-A championships, is a reserve for Arizona.