Aztec Basketball Notes : Brandenburg Debuts Tonight

Jim Brandenburg makes his coaching debut at San Diego State after nine seasons at Wyoming. Brandenburg has never had a losing season in 11 seasons as a college coach. . . . The Aztecs must play without center Gerald Murray, who was suspended indefinitely Wednesday after his arrest on suspicion of drug violations. Murray was released from San Diego County Jail Thursday night on $10,000 bail, a jail spokesperson said. Mitch McMullen, a 6-10 junior transfer, will start in Murray’s place. . . . Aztecs will have only 11 players available and only three are listed as guards--Tony Ross, Ty Walker and Bryan Williams. Only four players return who were on last season’s 5-25 team. . . . Brandenburg would like to play some man-to-man defense but personnel might dictate that the Aztecs play only zone.

For Kansas State, Lon Kruger is in his second year after four seasons at Pan American. He led the Wildcats to a 20-11 record last season, including a National Collegiate Athletic Assn. tournament berth. The Wildcats defeated Georgia before being eliminated by Nevada Las Vegas. . . . Wildcats return four starters, losing only forward Norris Coleman, who left after his junior season was drafted by the Clippers. . . . Best returning playing is Mitch Richmond, a 6-5 senior swingman, who averaged 18.6 points per game last season. Also returning are point guard Steve Henson, forward Charles Bledsoe and guard William Scott. . . . Injuries have hurt the Wildcats. Power forward Lance Simmons (broken knee cap) is out two months, and Scott is coming back from a broken foot. . . . Lack of height and depth at forward position are team weaknesses . . . SDSU’s record against Kansas State is 1-1. SDSU won the last game, 88-75, in 1973-74.