Colorado State University Athletics
Men's Basketball Preview - Pepperdine
12/31/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Matchup...The Colorado State men?s basketball team takes to the road on Jan. 3 when they travel to Malibu, Calif. to take on Pepperdine. The Rams will be riding the crest of a three-game winning streak capped by an 81-69 victory over Denver on Thursday night. On the trip, the Rams will be looking to snap a 12-game road losing streak that dates back to a Dec. 22, 2003 win over South Florida. Senior center Matt Nelson leads the team with 15.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. In his last two contests, Nelson is 19-of-21 (.905) from the field and has grabbed an average of eight rebounds per game.
About Pepperdine: Pepperdine puts its 9-5 mark on the line on Monday night when the Rams come to Malibu. The Waves hold a perfect 4-0 record in Firestone Fieldhouse but have won just two of their last six contests. Senior forward Glen McGowan leads Pepperdine with 19.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game including back-to-back double-doubles at the Lobo Invitational on Dec. 28-29. Guard Alex Acker Paces the Waves with 63 assists and averages 14.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
CSU Basketball Ticket Information: Tickets to all home games are available by calling 1-800-491-RAMS or online at CSURAMS.com, or at any King Soopers or City Market grocery store location throughout the state of Colorado.
Rams In January: Colorado State is 13-14 during coach Dale Layer?s tenure in games played in January.
On Mondays: Colorado State holds a 13-17 record under Dale Layer when playing on a Monday. The Rams are 1-0 in 2004-05 (Northern Colorado).
Home Cookin?: CSU has won its last nine games in Moby Arena dating back to last season?s home finale against New Mexico and the first seven games of 2004-05. Colorado State?s most recent home loss came on Feb. 16, 2004, a 79-73 decision against BYU.
More at Home: The Rams are shooting 56 percent from the field at Moby Arena and, in contrast, are hitting at a 46 percent clip on the road. At the free throw line, CSU is hitting 71.8 percent of its shots at home and 64.6 percent away from home.
Moby Under Layer: Colorado State enters Thursday night?s game with a 47-18 overall record in home games during Dale Layer?s five seasons.
Season Games Record
2004-05 8 8-0
2003-04 12 8-4
2002-03 18 14-4
2001-02 14 7-7
2000-01 13 10-3
Totals 65 47-18 (.723)
Moby Nonconference Record: The Rams are 33-4 (89.2 percent) in home nonconference games under Dale Layer. Colorado State has won nine nonconference home games in a row dating back to a Dec. 10, 2003 loss to Colorado in Moby Arena. The year-by-year nonconference breakdown includes:
Season Record Loss(es)
2004-05 8-0 --
2003-04 4-1 Colorado
2002-03 10-0 --
2001-02 4-2 Colorado,
Arkansas-Little Rock
2000-01 7-1 Creighton
Totals 33-4
Fewer Fouls: CSU is 8-1 when committing fewer fouls than its opponent this season.
Since 1902: Colorado State is in the school?s 104th season of intercollegiate competition in 2004-05. Colorado State has a cumulative record of 1,021-1,039 in 2,060 previous games dating back to 1902.
CSU vs. the West Coast Conference: Colorado State has a cumulative 8-13 record against current members of the West Coast Conference, including a 4-12 road/neutral record.
Up Next: Colorado State will open Mountain West play at Air Force on Jan. 8 at 3 p.m. The Rams return home to face BYU and Utah on Jan. 15 and Jan. 17, respectively.
Road Streak: Colorado State holds a 12-game road losing streak after a Dec. 18 loss at Colorado. Colorado State?s last win on the road (excluding neutral site games), came Dec. 22, 2003 at South Florida. F Matt Williams? free throw with less than five seconds to play in the game helped Colorado State to a 66-65 victory in Tampa, Fla.
Before the Conference Opener: Head Coach Dale Layer holds a 2-2 record in games played immediately preceding the begining of conference play. The Rams are 2-0 in home games and 0-2 on the road including losses the past two seasons at Montana State (2003-04) and Colorado (2002-03).
Taking The Lead: Following is a list of players that gave CSU the lead for good in the 2004-05 season:
Game (Date) Game Scorer Score/Half Time Final Score
Regis (11-20-04) Williams 12-11/1st 9:49 78-49
Northern Colorado (11-22-04) Patterson 50-47/2nd 11:15 76-68
Nebraska-Omaha (11-24-04) M. Morris 40-37/1st 0:00 88-64
Drake (12-4-04) Williams 64-62/2nd 4:24 72-62
Montana State (12-7-04) Williams 6-5/1st 16:33 78-53
Texas State (12-21-04) Rakiecki 9-8/1st 14:27 83-65
Stetson (12-28-04) Patterson 13-10/1st 11:52 93-57
Denver (12-30-04) Boatner 34-33/1st 1:56 81-69
Tall Timber: Colorado State?s roster in 2004-05 features three players (C Matt Nelson, C Stuart Creason, F Jason Smith) who are at least seven feet tall, and another (F Stephen Verwers), who is six-feet, 10-inches tall. The lineup ranks among the tallest in the nation.
Ahead and Behind: Following is a comparison of the times that CSU has led, trailed and been tied with its opponents:
Opponent Time Leading Time Trailing Time Tied
Regis 34:33 2:45 2:42
Northern Colorado 16:01 21:04 2:55
Nebraska-Omaha 23:06 12:21 4:33
IUPUI 0:00 39:06 0:54
Auburn 25:20 14:47 4:53
Drake 34:28 2:28 3:04
Montana State 36:48 1:11 2:01
Purdue 1:07 37:08 1:45
Colorado 0:00 38:03 1:57
Texas State 38:46 0:23 0:51
Stetson 31:52 5:51 4:17
Denver 31:02 8:15 0:43
Total 273:03 183:22 30:35
PLAYER TIDBITS
WILL POWER-
? Senior forward Matt Williams enters Monday?s game seventh on the school?s career field goal percentage list. He has made 291-of-547 career field goals, 53.2 percent.
? Has scored in double figures seven times in 12 games and in six of eight home games.
? Has shot better than 50 percent in nine of 12 games in the 2004-05 season.
? Has been above 50 percent from the field 60 times in 102 career games.
? Has recorded five or more rebounds in eight of 12 games this year and has surpassed that total 44 times in his career.
? Is the only Ram to start in all 12 games this season.
NELSON NUMBERS -
? Senior center Matt Nelson has scored in double figures in 11-straight games and in 20 of his last 21 games dating back to last season.
? Shot over 50 percent from the floor in his last eight games.
? Is 6th in career scoring at Colorado State with 1,385 points.
? In the past four games as a starter, has made 35-of-44 field goals (79.5 percent) and 22-of-28 free throws (78.6 percent).
? Has grabbed 34 rebounds over the past five games (6.8 rpg).
? Hit for a season-best 29 points, making 12-of-14 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws against Denver.
? Made 14 consecutive field goals covering 115 game minutes covering more than two games.
THE BOAT -
? Sophomore guard Dwight Boatner tied his career-high with 16 points against Denver.
? Has scored in double figures four times in 2004-05.
BALL GAME -
? Senior guard Nick Ball hit for a career-high 11 points against Stetson.
TO THE RACK -
? Senior guard Jon Rakiecki has scored in double figures five times in 2004-05 including three of the last five games.
? Scored a season-most 15 points going 4-of-8 from long range at Purdue.
? Recorded a career-best seven assists against Denver and has posted 12 assists in his last two games.
? Has hit a three-pointer in 11 of 12 games in 2004-05 and in 13 of his last 14 games dating back to last season.
MORRIS MAGIC -
? Junior guard Micheal Morris is sixth on the school?s career list with 96 blocked shots.
? Needs just 23 assists to move into the CSU all-time assists top ten.
? 22 times in 69 career games, he has dished out five or more assists.
? Tied his career-high with seven rebounds against Colorado.
FOR BETTER OR VER-WERS -
? Sophomore center Stephen Verwers scored a career-high eight points against Denver.
? Has made 11 field goals on the season, six of which were on dunks.
THAT SMITH KID -
? Freshman forward Jason Smith , from nearby Kersey, Colo., has scored in double figures six times in 12 games.
? Ranks third on the team with a 10.0 per game scoring average and leads all freshmen in the Mountain West Conference in the category.
? Has made over 63 percent of his field goals, and also averages 4.3 rebounds per game.
? Has gathered 26 rebounds in his last five games.
Rams On Boards: Colorado State has outrebounded nine of 12 opponents in 2004-05. The Rams are 6-3 when collecting more boards than their opposition. The Rams have outrebounded their opponents by 40 in their last three games.
Winning Big: Five of Colorado State?s eight victories have been by 20 points or more while winning by double figures seven of eight times.
Center Scoring: C Matt Nelson ranks third in school history in career scoring by a center:
Career Scoring By A Center
1. Bill Green, 1961-63 1,682
2. Rich Strong, 1983-86 1,555
3. Matt Nelson, 2002-04 1,385
Dialing Long Distance: CSU has shot below 30 percent from three-point range just once this season (Texas State) while CSU?s opponents have hit more than 30 percent just three times (IUPUI, Texas State, Denver).
Double-Figure Leads: Colorado State is 8-0 when holding a double-figure lead in a game.
Foes Under 40: Colorado State is 5-2 this season when holding an opponent to less than 40 percent shooting from the floor including the following games:
Date Game FG-A Pct.
Nov. 20 Regis (W) 17-49 .347
Nov. 24 Neb.-Omaha (W) 17-48 .354
Nov. 30 at Auburn (L) 29-78 .382
Dec. 4 Drake (W) 21-59 .356
Dec. 7 Montana State (W) 21-60 .350
Dec. 11 Purdue (L) 22-56 .393
Dec. 30 Denver (W) 24-62 .387
Rams Plus 50: Colorado State has shot above 50 percent from the floor in eight games this season. The Rams hold a record of 7-1 when eclipsing the 50 percent mark including:
Date Game FG-A Pct.
Nov. 20 Regis (W) 26-46 .565
Nov. 24 Neb.-Omaha (W) 27-48 .563
Dec. 4 Drake (W) 24-41 .585
Dec. 7 Montana State (W) 25-46 .543
Dec. 18 Colorado (L) 29-57 .509
Dec. 21 Texas State (W) 30-50 .600
Dec. 28 Stetson (W) 35-57 .614
Dec. 30 Denver (W) 26-46 .565
Starting Adjustments: Colorado State has used seven different starting combonations this season.
More on Television: The Colorado State Rams will appear on national or regional television 15 times in the 2004-05 season. These dates include:
Date Opponent Network
Dec. 11 at Purdue ESPN+Plus
Dec. 18 at Colorado Fox Sports Net
Dec. 30 vs. Denver Fox Sports Net
Jan. 8 at Air Force ESPN+Plus
Jan. 15 vs. BYU ESPN+Plus
Jan. 17 vs. Utah Fox Sports Net
Jan. 24 at San Diego State ESPN
Jan. 29 at Wyoming ESPN+Plus
Feb. 5 vs. New Mexico Fox Sports Net
Feb. 7 vs. Air Force ESPN
Feb. 12 at Utah KJZZ
Feb. 14 at BYU SportsWest
Feb. 21 vs. UNLV Fox Sports Net
Feb. 21 vs. UNLV ESPN+Plus
Feb. 26 vs. Wyoming Fox Sports Net
From the Bench: CSU leads opponents scoring 418-158 from the bench this year while accounting for 44.3 of the team?s offense on the year.
Plus 80: The Rams lost for just the third time under Dale Layer when scoring more than 80 points in CSU?s 89-83 setback to Colorado. CSU is 32-3 under Layer when hitting the 80-point mark. The Rams? last loss when scoring 80 or more came in a 96-91 overtime loss to UNLV in 2001-02. The last time it happened in regulation play was in a 109-86 loss at Colorado in 2000-01.
CSU Runs Past Denver:
Colorado State center Matt Nelson scored a season-best 29 points to go with eight rebounds to lead the Rams to an 81-69 victory over Denver University on Thursday night in Moby Arena.
Denver jumed out to an early seven-point lead before the Rams rallied to regain a nine-point advantage in the first half. DU came back to take the lead late in the period but CSU was able to reclaim the lead at the break 38-35.
CSU began the second half on an 11-2 run and extended its lead to 14 but DU came back to pull within seven, 76-69 with 1:12 to play. The Rams finished the game on a 5-0 run to claim the 81-69 victory.
Nelson paced CSU with 29 points on 12-of-14 from the field while Dwight Boatner added 16 for the Rams with 13 coming in the first half. Nelson also paced the Rams with eight rebounds while freshman Jason Smith added six. Senior guard Jon Rakiecki notched a career-best seven assists while Nelson added three blocks.
?That is the best Denver team since I?ve been here,? said head coach Dale Layer on the night?s opposition. ?Benzel was a handful all night.?
On the night, CSU hit 26-of-46 (.565) from the field while outrebounding the Pioneers 38-31. CSU hit 26-of-33 (.788) free throws compared to DU?s 11-of-21 (.524).
Denver was led by a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) by Antonio Porch while Rodney Billups and Erik Benzel each added 15.
Nelson?s 29 points marks the most by a Ram in 2004-05 and moves the senior into sixth place in career scoring at CSU with 1,385 surpassing Eddie Hughes. In his last four games, Nelson is 35-of-44 from the field (.796) and the center has scored in double figures in 11-straight games.
?Matt Nelson was the difference,? commented Layer. ?They did not have an answer for him.?
With the win, CSU (8-4) extended its home winning streak to nine games and will look to tie the fifth-longest winning streak in Moby Arena history on Jan. 15 when they host BYU.
Rams Sign Four: Colorado State signed four players to National Letters of Intent, including:
C.J. Clark, a 6-7, 200-pound forward from Houston, Tex. (Cypress Springs HS), was a first team all-district selection averaging 13 points, six rebounds and six assists per game for Cypress Springs High School in 2003-04. Clark was a high honorable mention pick by Street & Smith?s and was selected as the 211th recruit in the nation by Hoopscoop.
Stephan Gilling, a 6-3, 185-pound guard from Chino Hills, Calif. (Ayala HS), was a first team all-league selection and team MVP for Ayala High School. As a junior, he averaged 13.5 points, five rebounds and three assists per game and his seven consecutive three-point field goals in a half during the year. He was rated as an honorable mention selection by Street & Smith?s and was the 288th recruit in the nation by Hoopscoop. He was ranked as on of the top ten shooters on the West Coast by Insiders.com.
Michael Harrison, a 6-10, 200-pound forward from Aurora, Colo. (Northeastern JC), averaged 12 points and nine rebounds as a freshman at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo. Harrison shot over 56 percent from the field and had the ninth-best single season rebound total in NJC?s history and is considered a preseason Junior College All-American by Street & Smith?s and is the seventh-ranked Junior College player in the nation by Hoopscoop. At Aurora Central High School, he averaged 22 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots per game and was a second team all-state pick as a senior.
Corey Lewis, a 6-0, 180-pound point guard from Lafayette, La. (Dodge City CC), is averaging 13 points, five assists and four rebounds per game at Dodge City Community College. Lindy?s basketball magazine ranks Lewis as the sixth-best point guard in the country.
