Colorado State University Athletics
Rams' Basketball Program Going South of the Border
7/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Fort Collins - Basketball practice won't officially begin for Colorado State University's men's basketball team until mid-October.
But fifth-year coach Dale Layer's squad will get an early start on the season with a week-long trip to Mexico in August that includes five games.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for our returning players to improve on their individual skills," said Layer. "It is also going to provide us an environment to strengthen our chemistry and our team skills."
Layer said that under NCAA guidelines, only players who were on the roster a season ago and are in good academic standing are eligible to participate in the trip. None of the team's five new players will be allowed to practice with the team or embark up on the trip.
Returning players report Sunday, Aug. 1, for a 7 p.m. workout in Moby Arena. The team will practice daily through Aug. 11, then leave early Aug. 12.
Colorado State's first of five games against Mexican college teams is Aug. 13, with the final contest Aug. 18. The Rams return to Fort Collins Aug. 19.
Returning starters Matt Nelson, Matt Williams, Freddy Robinson, and Micheal Morris headline the 11-member contingent making the trip.
Nelson has led the team in scoring the past two seasons and averaged 15.6 points and a team-best 5.7 rebounds last season. Williams was second on the team in scoring and rebounding in 2003-04, 10.3 and 5.7 respectively. Robinson started 21 games and averaged 9.3 points per game. Nelson, Williams, and Robinson will all be seniors in 2004-05.
Morris, a junior, has led the team in assists the past two seasons and had 92 last season while averaging 7.7 points per game.
