Aztecs Planning to Play Against New Mexico

Tonight’s San Diego State-New Mexico basketball game will be played as planned, at 7:30 p.m. in the San Diego Sports Arena, despite the outbreak of war Wednesday in the Persian Gulf, SDSU Athletic Director Fred Miller said Wednesday night.

SDSU Coach Jim Brandenburg said his players would be wearing U.S. flags on their uniforms tonight.

“No, I don’t think (we’ll cancel),” Miller said. “I’ll double check with (SDSU President Tom Day) in the morning. Our intent now is to stay the course. . . .

“The theaters are going to be open, restaurants will be open, plays will be going . . . I’m sure it will be the same with athletics.”

One college basketball game was canceled Wednesday night--the North Carolina-North Carolina State game in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Navy-Richmond game in Annapolis, Md., went on as scheduled. Navy Coach Peter Herrmann learned the United States had attacked Iraq just 40 seconds before tipoff and decided wait until after the game to tell his players. Richmond won, 83-82.

As of Wednesday night, Miller said he had not spoken with Gary Ness, New Mexico athletic director, about the decision.

The war began Wednesday after SDSU’s practice had started, and Brandenburg said he and the players didn’t find out about the attack until after practice.