Colorado State University Athletics
Creason, Aguilar highlight men's basketball roster
8/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Aug. 27, 2007
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - New is the primary buzz word as the Colorado State men's basketball team begins workouts this week.
New coaches, new players, new outlook.
A fresh and optimistic program, guided by first-year coach Tim Miles, is taking its first steps at Moby Arena this week, the first in which the NCAA allows basic basketball workouts.
Stuart Creason, who averaged just over 10 points last season, will lead a young CSU squad this year. The team's lone senior and returning starter, will fill a key leadership role on and off the court. He recently returned from Europe, where he played for Athletes in Action.
"I think Stu's got a chance to be a real force in the Mountain West," Miles said. "He's a great kid who works his butt off. He's fresh off some important international experience in Germany, and we're going to need him to play well if we're going to be successful."
Creason played in all 30 games for the Rams last season, starting 27. He led the team in field-goal percentage, shooting 67 percent, and was second on the team with 5.5 rebounds per game. A computer information systems major and key rebounder for the Rams, Creason will be the nucleus of a very young team.
One of those youngsters expected to emerge is Ronnie Aguilar. While injuries plagued his first year with the Rams, he should be a factor for Colorado State this season. Aguilar played in 11 games during the 2006-07 season.
"Ronnie's really an intriguing player," Miles said. "He's got upside, that's for sure. I think he's going to have real bright moments for us this season. He's a good athlete who runs well, jumps well, and has great size, obviously. He's really going to contribute for us."
Several new faces will team up with 7-footers Creason and Aguilar. Miles tabs junior college transfers Marcus Walker and Willis Gardner as players to watch. In addition, Andre McFarland, Josh Simmons and Jesse Woodard join the program as freshmen and will be immediately eligible.
Donté Poole, Tyler Smith and Stephen Franklin will not be joining the team, as previously announced.
"We've decided not to award Stephen a scholarship," Miles said. "He has decided to enroll at the College of Eastern Utah. Unfortunately, Donté did not meet the NCAA standards, so he will be going to a prep school, and we decided not to renew Tyler Smith's scholarship."
Division I transfers Andy Ogibe and Dan Vandervieren will sit out the 2007-08 season due to NCAA rules, but the coaching staff looks forward to getting them in uniform next year.
This season's non-conference schedule includes road trips to Stanford (Nov. 24), Minnesota (Dec. 8) and North Dakota State (Dec. 15), Miles' former team. The team tips off its season Nov. 1 against Chadron State at Moby Arena.
