Colorado State University Athletics
Notes: Rams open up NCAA Tournament vs. South Florida
3/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 16, 2016
Game 33 | No. 11 Colorado State vs. No. 6 South Florida | March 19, 2016
7 p.m. MT | Los Angeles | Pauley Pavilion (12,829) | ESPN2
Scouting Colorado State
• Colorado State enters the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 22 in both the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls, and earned a No. 11 seed in the Bridgeport Regional.
• The Rams are making their sixth-ever NCAA Tournament apperance, and first since 2002.
• Colorado State comes into the tournament with a 31-1 record on the year, the second highest single-season win total in school history.
• On the year, the Rams have won 28-consecutive games overall, the second longest active streak in the nation (UConn, 69) and a school and Mountain West record.
• Away from home, CSU has been as effective as any team nationally. The Rams own the second-best road active win streak with 12-consecutive true road wins and 16 consecutive wins away from home overall.
• The 28-game win streak is the 28th-longest win streak in NCAA history, while the 12-game road win streak is the 15th-longest in NCAA history.
• CSU features one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the nation, with four different girls averaging in double figures in scoring while no player on the team averages more than 9.5 shot attempts per game.
• Colorado State was the only team in the Mountain West without a single player averaging double-figure shot attempts.
• The Rams are led by Ellen Nystrom, the Mountain West Player of the Year. Nystrom is as versatile as it gets averaging 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, making her one of just four girls in the entire country to average at least 10-5-5.
• CSU boasts one of the best defenses in the country, ranking fifth in field goal percentage defense, sixth in scoring defense and eighth in 3-point field goal defense. CSU is the only team in the entire country to be ranked in the top eight in each of the three defensive categories
Scouting South Florida
• South Florida enters the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll and No. 20 in the USA Today Coaches Polls, and earned a No. 6 seed in the Bridgeport Regional.
• The Bulls are making their third NCAA Tournament appearance under Head Coach Jose Fernandez, and have now had four-consecutie 20-win seasons.
• South Florida is as tested as it gets in terms of playing fierce competition. The Bulls have squared off against UConn three times, lost at Baylor by three points, lost vs. Mississippi State by 10 points and lost at Louisville by 17 points. The Bulls also knocked off Oklahoma State by 22 points earlier this year.
• South Florida has been incredible at home with a 15-1 record, but away from home, the Bulls are just 8-8 overall, including 2-2 on neutral courts.
• USF is led by its senior All-American guard, Courtney Williams. Williams ranks first or second on the team in points, rebounds, assists, 3-pointers, blocks and steals. On the year, Williams is scoring 22.0 points per game, 12th in the nation.
• On the interior, the Bulls have one of the toughest rebounders in the country in Alisia Jenkins. The senior forward is averaging a double-double on the year with 10.0 points per game and 11.4 rebounds per game. Jenkins is particularly effective on the glass with 3.6 offensive boards per contest.
• South Florida has five girls averaging at least 9.8 points per game, and a total of six girls see 22.5 minutes per game or more.
• This will be the first meeting ever between the two schools.
In The Poll
• The Rams remain ranked in the Top 25 in both the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls, earning a No. 22 ranking in the AP Poll and a No. 22 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
• Prior to these last four weeks, CSU had not been ranked in either poll since Nov. 18, 2002.
• Additionally, the Rams are the first Mountain West school to be ranked since TCU was ranked on Nov. 22, 2010.
Rewriting the Record Books
• The Rams are playing as good of basketball as has ever been seen in Fort Collins. At 28 straight wins, the Rams set a new school record for consecutive wins, surpassing the 19-game win streak set in 1998-99.
• CSU's 28-game win streak is the second longest win streak in the nation, trailing only UConn's (69). The 25-game win streak is also a Mountain West record, surpassing Utah's streak of 22 in 2008-09.
• Additionally, the Rams are now winners of 12-straight true road contests, the longest streak in school history.
• CSU's 15-game home win streak is tied for the third-longest home win streak in program history. CSU went undefeated at home for just the second time in program history (1998-99).
• CSU's 31 wins are the second-most in school history, trailing just the 33 wins in the 1998-99 season.
• The 31 wins are also a new Mountain West record for wins in a single season.
Finding Balance
• Colorado State's offense is one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the nation, capable of hurting an opponent with a multitude of players and inside or outside.
• The Rams have four different girls averaging at least 10.0 points per game: Jamie Patrick (12.9), Elin Gustavsson (10.9), Keyora Wharry (10.8) and Ellen Nystrom (10.2).
• Amazingly, CSU doesn't have a single player averaging even 10 shot attempts per game. Jamie Patrick leads the team at 9.5 attempts per game.
• The Rams are the only team in the Mountain West not to have a single player averaging at least 10 shot attempts per contest.
Another 20-Win Season
• In its 42nd year, the Rams have now registered their 12th 20-win season in school history, and third straight under Head Coach Ryun Williams.
• CSU's last stretch of basketball that was as successful as this was from the 2000-01 season to the 02-03 season.
• Williams is just the third head coach at CSU to have multiple 20-win seasons under his belt, joining Gregg Williams who coached the Rams from 1990-1997, and Tom Collen, who was at the school from 1997-2002.
• Over the last two-plus years, CSU has amassed a 79-17 record (.823). CSU's most successful three-year stretch in program history is 81-20 (.802) from 1998-01.
In A Class Of Her Own
• In her first season with an extended role at point guard, junior Ellen Nystrom has not disappointed and has set numerous school and conference achievements.
• With her stellar play this season, Nystrom was named the Mountain West Player of the Year, and also earned a spot on the conference's all-defensive team.
• On the year, Nystrom is averaging 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.
• The junior is just one of four players in the country to be part of the 10-5-5 club.
• Nystrom has tallied 180 assists so far, breaking the single-season school record of 174 assists by Becky Hammon in 1998-99.
• Nystrom broke the single-season school record with one of the finest championship performances the Mountain West has ever seen, where the junior racked up a single-game school record 16 assists. The 16 assists are the third-highest total posted by an individual this season (Baylor's Niya Johnson, 19 and 18).
• Additionally, Nystrom racked up 103 assists during Mountain West play, ranking fifth all-time in Mountain West history for assists during league play.
All-Conference Honorees
• Two other players, Jamie Patrick and Keyora Wharry, joined Nystrom on the Mountain West's 10-person all-conference team.
• Patrick led the Rams and finished third in the Mountain West in scoring at 15.2 points per game during conference play.
• The senior tied a Mountain West record with 57 3-pointers during conference play, making them at a blistering 44.9 percent. Overall, Patrick was fourth in the Mountain West with a 51.9 percent field goal percentage.
• Wharry, meanwhile, earned her spot on the team as one of the toughest players to contain off the dribble in the entire conference.
• The senior guard was second on the team with 12.0 points per game during league play and finished third in the Mountain West with a 53.3 percent field goal percentage.
Recognizing The Best
• Colorado State's head coach Ryun Williams was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year.
• In four seasons at CSU, Williams has earned that honor twice now.
• Under his guidance, CSU has rattled off a school and Mountain West-record 25-consecutive wins and has tied a conference record for wins in a season. The Rams are also nationally ranked for the first time since 2002.
• Over the past three years, CSU is 48-6 in MW play (.889).
Suffocating Defense
• Over the past two years, Colorado State's scoring defense has been near the top of the conference and national rankings.
• With the new changes to quarters, that stingy defense has only become more prevalent.
• The Rams are giving up just 51.3 points per game, which ranks No. 6 nationally.
• CSU also ranks No. 5 nationally in field goal percentage defense, allowing its opponents to make just 33.1 percent of its field goal attempts.
• CSU is on pace to have the best defense in school history when looking at points allowed per game, field goal percentage defense and 3-point field goal percentage defense.
• The Rams are the only team in the country to rank in the top eight in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense and 3-point field goal percentage defense.
• Through 32 games, just five CSU opponent have even reached 60 points in a game. Boise State scored 64 points, Colorado scored 63 points, Navy scored 73 points in a double-overtime game, San José State scored 78 and Utah State scored 64.
• San José State was held to its season low by far in its first meeting with CSU, scoring just 54 points, which was over 24 points below its season average of 78.7 points per game.
• On the year, Navy and San José State are the only teams to even reach their season scoring average vs. CSU.
• On average, CSU's opponents are being held to 12.6 points less per game than they came into the contest averaging on the year. 15 of CSU's opponents have been held over 10 points below their season average, while seven opponents have been held over 20 points below their season average.
• Even more impressive, 16 of CSU's opponents have been held to less than 50 points, with three teams not reaching the 40-point threshold.
• CSU has held its opponent to single-digits in 35 quarters this year, which is the most out of any Mountain West team.
• CSU's defense was out in full force at the Mountain West Tournament to help earn the team's way to the NCAA Tournament. Over the three-game tournament, the Rams set a new tournament record, giving up just 45.7 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot just 30.2 percent from the field.
Playing With A Chip On Her Shoulder
• Despite a terrific junior campaign that has seen her as the team's second-leading scorer and a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, forward Elin Gustavsson did not receive consideration for the Mountain West's 10-person all-conference team.
• The Swede turned the perceived slight into great motivation for the Mountain West Tournament, where she was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after averaging a tournament-best 16.3 points per game on 58.8 percent shooting.
• Gustavsson fell one point short of her season high in the first round of the MW Tournament and scored in double figures in all three contests to lead the Rams to the championship.
• Fellow Swede Ellen Nystrom was also named to the all-tournament team.
Down But Not Out
• It has been a rare position for the Rams to be trailing in a game, but when they have, they have responded well.
• On the year, the Rams are a perfect 6-0 when trailing at the half.
• In the champoinship game of the Mountain West Tournament, CSU faced its largest deficit of the entire season. The Rams trailed by 14 points at halftime, and by 15 midway through the fourth quarter. CSU played stifling defense over the final 16 minutes, however, to outscore Fresno State 26-10 and win by one point.
Jumping on them early
• The Rams have hardly trailed at all this year leading for a total of 1030:18 of the possible 1290 minutes (79.9 percent). In large part, that is due to CSU's remarkably quick starts.
• CSU is averaging 17.0 points in the first quarter this year, and 16.2 points in the second quarter.
• Conversely, the Rams are giving up just 12.7 points per game in the first quarter and a mere 10.6 points per game in the second quarter.
• The Rams are outscoring their opponents 1060-745 (315 points) in the first half this year and have trailed just six times at halftime. In the second half however, the Rams hold just a 1,119-886 (233 points) advantage.
• CSU has led by double digits at some point in 14 of its last 16 games.
2nd Quarter Nightmare
• Through 32 games of the season, a pattern of success has emerged in the 2nd quarter for CSU.
• In the first two games, the Rams' defense has held its opponent scoreless for an extended period of time from in the second quarter. In the season-opener, the Rams held Western State scoreless for 9:01, and in the second game vs. Incarnate Word, CSU held the Cardinals scoreless for 11:06. This streak started in the exhibition game, when CSU held its opponent scoreless for 12:31.
• This season, the Rams have outscored their opponents 517-340 in the second quarter, their biggest point differential in a quarter this year.
• In 15 of the 32 games this year, CSU has held its opponent to single digits in the second quarter.
• The Rams have only been outscored in the second quarter four times this season, as only three teams have scored more than 14 points in the second quarter against CSU this year.
• The 340 points allowed in the second quarter is by far CSU's fewest points allowed in a quarter. The next lowest total is 405 points in the first quarter.
• The Rams are outscoring their opponents by 5.5 points per game in the second quarter.
Home Court Dominance
• The Rams have been spectacular at home in the 2015-16 season.
• CSU is now 15-0 at home this year and has won 30 straight regular season home games at Moby.
• Additionally, CSU has now won 27 consecutive Mountain West home games dating back to March 6, 2013 vs. Wyoming.
• This year, CSU has an average margin of victory of 21.7 points per game at home.
CSU's D Stealing The Show
• Colorado State found itself with one of the best defenses in the country in the 2014-15 season, and the returns in the 2015-16 season are even more promising.
• Through 32 games of the season, CSU has forced its opponents into 504 turnovers and has tallied 258 steals.
• 22 of CSU's 32 opponents have turned the ball over at a higher rate vs. the Rams than their season average coming into the contest.
• Junior guard Ellen Nystrom and senior guards Keyora Wharry and Jamie Patrck have been giving opponents nightmares on the perimeter. Nystrom is averaging 1.8 steals per game, while Wharry is averaging 1.5 swipes per game and Patrick is averaging 1.2 steals per game.
• In its first game of the season, CSU's defense was swarming, forcing 33 turnovers and tallying 22 steals. The Rams held the Mountaineers to just 31.7 percent shooting from the field and 27.3 percent from beyond the arc.
The 3-Point Shot Is Not Your Friend
• The Rams have been as good as any team in the country at neutralizing the 3-point shot defensively. On the year, CSU ranks No. 8, allowing its opponents to make just 26.1 percent of their 3-point attempts.
• In recent weeks, the Rams have been even more effective guarding the line. Since conference play started, CSU's opponenets are shooting just 24.4 percent from beyond the arc (80-of-328).
• As effective as CSU's defense has been in shutting down the 3-point line, the Rams do a great job taking away the easy shots and forcing the shots from distance. In conference play, roughly 30 percent of their opponents shots are coming from beyond the arc.
Out In The Lead
• 32 games through the 2015-16 season, the Rams are off to a historic pace in the school's storied history.
• Through the first 32 games, the Rams have led for 1030:18 of the 1290 total minutes.
• By contrast, the Rams have trailed for just 184:28, or 14.3 percent of the time.
• Even more impressively, CSU has led from start to finish in 12 games this year.
Leading Scorer Troubles
• During the Mountain West season, Colorado State has made it a point to shut down the opponent's leading scorer.
• Boise State's Brooke Pahukoa came into her contest against the Rams averaging 15.9 points per game. Against CSU, she scored four points on 0-of-3 shooting.
• UNLV's Brooke Johnson came into her game against CSU averaging 14.4 points per game. Against CSU, she mustered seven points on just 3-of-18 shooting.
• San José State's Dezz Ramos entered the game second in the Mountain West averaging 19.8 points per game. However, against CSU she scored nine points on 3-of-12 shooting.
• Wyoming's Marquelle Dent was held to one of her least efficinet games of the year, scoring 14 points on 4-of-15 shooting. Dent also was forced into four turnovers.
• In Boise State's second game against Colorado State, leading scorer Brooke Pahukoa once again was held in check. After making her first shot, Pahukoa finished 1-of-7 from the field for five points.
• In UNLV's second game vs. CSU, sophomore guard Dakota Johnson equaled her season average of 14 points, but she did so on 5-of-20 shooting.
• In Wyoming's second game against CSU, leading scorer Marquelle Dent was once again held to an inneficient game. The senior scored 13 points on 5-of-20 shooting.
• In total, those five leading scorers have averaged just 9.4 points per game in their seven games against the Rams while shooting 21-of-95 from the field (22.1 percent)
It's a block party
• Facing one of its toughest opponents of the year, CSU's interior defense was as strong as it had been all year with a season-high nine blocks vs BYU.
• On the year, the Rams are averaging 3.3 blocks per game, and rank fourth in the Mountain West.
Feed The Swede
• Throughout the yaer junior guard Ellen Nystrom has handed in numerous career-performances.
• In the first game of the season, the Lulea, Sweden native showcased her dominant defense with a career-high seven steals.
• In the second game of the year, Nystrom turned her attention to her offense, tying a career high with 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting and making 8-of-10 free throws.
• Against Navy, Nystrom was asked to go the distance by playing all 50 minutes in a double-overtime thriller. Nystrom responded with one of her best games of the year with 17 points, five rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks.
• Nystrom's great season continued against in-state rival Colorado. Nystrom hit two shots in the final 13.6 seconds, including the game-winner with 1.7 seconds left, to give CSU the 64-63 win. Nystrom finished the game with 14 points, eight assists and no turnovers.
• Nystrom's best performances, perhaps, came in the two contests against Fresno State though. In the first game against the Bulldogs, Nystrom helped the Rams clinch their third-straight outright league title with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. In the championship game against Fresno State with a spot in the NCAA Tournament on the line, Nystrom set a school record with 16 assists and scored her only two points at the free throw line with 3.3 seconds remaining to give the Rams the win.
Arias Earns MW Honors
• Senior forward Alana Arias has been on a tear in recent games. Arias won Mountain West Player of the Week (Jan. 11) after averaging 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game off the bench.
• Arias was the first bench player to win Mountain West Player of the Week since Fresno State's Moriah Faulk won it in 2013.
Gustavsson takes home MW Honors
• Junior forward Elin Gustavsson was named the Mountain West's Player of the Week (Dec. 7) for her performance against Colorado.
• The Swedish native poured in a season-high 22 points, and hauled in seven rebounds, all in the second half. She also contributed defensively with two blocks and one steal.
• It marked the third time in as many games vs. CU that Gustavsson has topped the 20-point mark. Gustavsson is averaging 23.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in three career games vs. CU.
Spreading the Wealth
• With such a diverse and well-balanced team, the Rams make sure to get everyone involved in the game.
• In its first game of the season, 13 different Rams played with 12 players scoring.
• After graduating both of its point guards from last year's squad, the Rams had no issue replacing that production with junior guard Ellen Nystrom stepping in and dishing out seven assists in her first start in the new role.
• Nystrom now leads the team with 5.5 assists per game.
• As a team, the Rams had 26 assists on 34 made baskets, good for the second most in the opening week of the season.
Familiar Faces
• Despite losing key seniors Gritt Ryder, the Mountain West co-Player of the Year, and AJ Newton, the Rams return plenty of experience for the 2015-16 season.
• Colorado State returns three starters and seven letterwinners total from last year's 23-8 team. Additionally, the Rams return four other players who were members of last year's team that sat out due to either injury, a redshirt season, or as a transfer.
• Of the returning players, both junior guard Ellen Nystrom and junior forward Elin Gustavsson are two-year starters. During their two years at CSU, the Rams have had one of their best stretches in school history going 48-16.
New Roles
• Although the Rams return numerous starters and key participants from last year's Mountain West championship team, CSU will have it's fair share of adjustment and transition in the 2015-16 season.
• With losing two point guards and primary ball handlers, numerous player roles will be shifted. Junior guard Ellen Nystrom, primarily used as an off-guard in her first two seasons, will shift to point guard and a primary ball handler for the Rams this year. Nystrom has grown up playing point guard and handles point guard duties for her national team.
• Colorado State will also utilize redshirt sophomore Hannah Tvrdy, a transfer from Nebraska, in the point guard role.
Success Under Williams
• With Colorado State under the guidance of Head Coach Ryun Williams, the Rams are
currently in the middle of one of their most
successful stretches in program history.
• Colorado State's 48 wins over the last two years is the fourth-best two-year stretch in school
history
• The Rams have been as successful as they ever have been in the Mountain West with Williams at the helm winning back-to-back titles for the first time since the 2000-01 and 2001-02 campaigns.
• In Mountain West play, Colorado State is 30-6 over the last two years, and 38-15 overall with Williams.
• Williams' .712 winning percentage in Mountain West games is the fourth-highest winning percentage in conference history.
Preseason All-Conference Watch
• Colorado State's junior guard Ellen Nystrom returns to the team and once again figures to play a prominent roll on the team.
• The 6-1 guard is a two-time all-Mountain West selection and has twice been named to the conference's all-defensive team.
• As a sophomore, Nystrom averaged 9.2 points per game, while leading the team with 6.8 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game.
• Additionally, the Lulea, Sweden native led the Rams in charges drawn, showcasing her versatility and willingness to sacrifice her body on the defensive end of the court.
An International Flavor
• Colorado State boasts one of the most diverse teams in the nation with girls hailing from 10 different states or country.
• In total, the Rams have nine different international girls on the roster.
• Colorado State has four girls from Sweden, Ellen Nystrom, Elin Gustavsson, Veronica Mirkovic and Amanda Kantzy, two from Denmark, Emilie Hesseldal and Sofie Tryggedsson, one from Brazil, Alana Arias, one from Norway, Stine Austgulen, and one from Romania, Kincso Kelemen.
• The Rams credit part of their success to this tremendous team diversity and the different basketball backgrounds that each girl brings.
Rule Changes
• The 2015-16 women's basketball season brings numerous new rule changes, among those playing four 10-minute quarters instead of two 20-minute halves.
• While this is going to be an adjustment for many teams, the Rams may be a step ahead of the competition in this regard.
• With so many girls having international playing experience, many Rams are very familiar with the quarter system, having grown up playing that way in school and with their national teams.
• Additional rule changes include being able to advance the ball after a timeout with 59.9 seconds or less left in the game, four total timeouts (three thirty-second timeouts and one full), and double-bonus free throws after five fouls in a quarter. There will no longer be one-and-one free throw situations.
Moby Madness
• The Rams play in one of the best, and most distinctive home venues in the country.
• Since their inaugural season in 1974-75, the Rams are 374-203 (.646).
• The home court advantage has only gotten better under Williams' tutelage.
• In three-plus years with Williams, the Rams are 51-11 (.823) defending their home court, including an impressive 43-4 mark over the past two-plus years.
Going Deep
• Colorado State has its deepest roster under Williams' tenure as head coach.
• The Rams return seven players who saw playing time last year along with four other girls that sat out last year. The Rams also bring in four talented freshman who could each make an impact for CSU in their first season on campus.
• Colorado State's depth has been something that Williams has consistently pointed to as a strength of the team going forward, and could play dividends for the Rams down the stretch of the season.
Last Time Out...
• Colorado State clinched the Mountain West regular season title with a 68-55 win over Fresno State, becoming the first Mountain West team to win three-straight outright conference championships. The Rams also extended their school record to 24 consecutive victories
• Senior guard Jamie Patrick scored 19 of her game-high 21 points in the second half, while Ellen Nystrom came painfully close to a triple-double with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
Streaking At Home
• CSU has won 30 consecutive regular-season contests at Moby Arena, dating back to the beginning of the 2014-15 season.
• Colorado State lost its home opener to Hawai'i in overtime in the first game of the season, and then reattled off 15 consecutive home victories from Nov. 18, 2014 to Mar. 6, 2015.
• Colorado State's 15-game home win streak was the third longest streak in program history, narrowly falling short of the 18 wins that stretched from the 2002 to the 2004 seasons, and the 21 wins in the 1988 and 1999 seasons.
• Four of Colorado State's six longest home-court win streaks have happened with Williams as the head coach.
Rams Add Four Newcomers to Squad
• The Rams bring in four freshmen who figure to make an impact for the Rams this year.
• Callie Kaiser, a 5-10 guard from Broomfield, Colo joins the Rams after finishing a stellar career at Broomfield high school. Kaiser averaged 15.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while leading the Eagles to a 26-2 record and a conference championship. In her junior season, Kaiser was the only junior to be named to Colorado's 4A first-team all-state.
• Amanda Kantzy, a 6-3 forward, joins the Rams from Vallingby, Sweden where she attended the same high school as junior guard Ellen Nystrom. Kantzy brings a versatile skill set to the Rams causing matchup problems for her opponents with her unique shooting and size combination. Last year, Kantzy planed in 10 games on a veteran-laden Northland Lulea squad, which advanced to the Damligan final. Playing for the U19 BG Lulea team, Kantzy posted 14.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 83.9 percent from the line and over 40 percent from the field.
• Sofie Tryggedsson, a 6-0 guard, hails from the same town as senior forward Emilie Hesseldal, Aarhus, Denmark. Tryggedsson comes to the Rams after playing for Aabyhoj Basketball, where she was the teams leading scorer with 15.3 points per game and also averaged 7.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Tryggedsson also has extensive international experience competing for the Danish national team in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
• Kincso Kelemen, a 5-9 guard from Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania, joins the Rams with four years experience playing for the Romanian national team. Kelemen was named the PLayer of the First League in 2014-15 following her team's trip to the Romanian League Final.
Gone From the Court but not the Program
• Gritt Ryder, the Mountain West's co-Mountain West Player of the Year in 2014-15, graduated and exhausted her playing eligibility, but Ryder will still have a tremendous impact on the 2015-16 Rams. The Rungsted Kyst, Denmark native joins the Rams in 2015-16 as a graduate assistant, and will play a vital role in shaping and tutoring Colorado State's point guards.
Rams Predicted to Three-Peat
•The Colorado State women's basketball team was selected to finish in first place in the Mountain West's preseason poll. A complete look at the MW poll and individual accolades can be found on page 6 of this release. CSU garnered 12 of the 28 first-place votes available, and received 237 points overall. New Mexico ranked second with 221 points and seven first-places votes, while Boise State rounded out the top three at 215 points and six first-place votes. This is just the third time in the history of the Mountain West that Colorado State was predicted to win the league title. The Rams also received a first-place projection prior to the 2013-14 season and the 2001-02 season. In both instances, CSU went on to win the Mountain West regular season title.
Rams On The Radio
• Rams basketball can be heard live worldwide on the Rams Sports Properties Colorado State Sports Network. The 2015-16 season will feature live game coverage of all of Colorado State's exhibition, regular-season and postseason contests. Matthew Wozniak is the basketball team's full-time play-by-play announcer.
• All of CSU's contests can be heard on Rams Sports Properties Colorado State Sports Network, and 1410 KIIX. Live coverage isn't limited to the Colorado State Sports Network's normal coverage area. Ram fans worldwide can listen to the action live streaming on CSURams.com in partnership with Stretch Internet.
Rams On The Web
• Fans worldwide can get an inside look into Colorado State University and Rams hoops as CSU continually expands its coverage through the use of new media. By logging onto www.CSURams.com, fans can instantly access all of the most up-to-date information on the team including game statistics, exclusive video content and more. In addition, CSU basketball fans can follow the Rams on twitter @CSUWomensBball. Colorado State women's basketball is also on Facebook. Log onto facebook.com/CSUWomensBasketball.
Live Statistics
• Live statistics are available for all home games and most road contests games by clicking the "GameTracker" logo on the men's basketball "Schedule/Results" page on CSURams.com.
Game 33 | No. 11 Colorado State vs. No. 6 South Florida | March 19, 2016
7 p.m. MT | Los Angeles | Pauley Pavilion (12,829) | ESPN2
Scouting Colorado State
• Colorado State enters the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 22 in both the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls, and earned a No. 11 seed in the Bridgeport Regional.
• The Rams are making their sixth-ever NCAA Tournament apperance, and first since 2002.
• Colorado State comes into the tournament with a 31-1 record on the year, the second highest single-season win total in school history.
• On the year, the Rams have won 28-consecutive games overall, the second longest active streak in the nation (UConn, 69) and a school and Mountain West record.
• Away from home, CSU has been as effective as any team nationally. The Rams own the second-best road active win streak with 12-consecutive true road wins and 16 consecutive wins away from home overall.
• The 28-game win streak is the 28th-longest win streak in NCAA history, while the 12-game road win streak is the 15th-longest in NCAA history.
• CSU features one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the nation, with four different girls averaging in double figures in scoring while no player on the team averages more than 9.5 shot attempts per game.
• Colorado State was the only team in the Mountain West without a single player averaging double-figure shot attempts.
• The Rams are led by Ellen Nystrom, the Mountain West Player of the Year. Nystrom is as versatile as it gets averaging 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, making her one of just four girls in the entire country to average at least 10-5-5.
• CSU boasts one of the best defenses in the country, ranking fifth in field goal percentage defense, sixth in scoring defense and eighth in 3-point field goal defense. CSU is the only team in the entire country to be ranked in the top eight in each of the three defensive categories
Scouting South Florida
• South Florida enters the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll and No. 20 in the USA Today Coaches Polls, and earned a No. 6 seed in the Bridgeport Regional.
• The Bulls are making their third NCAA Tournament appearance under Head Coach Jose Fernandez, and have now had four-consecutie 20-win seasons.
• South Florida is as tested as it gets in terms of playing fierce competition. The Bulls have squared off against UConn three times, lost at Baylor by three points, lost vs. Mississippi State by 10 points and lost at Louisville by 17 points. The Bulls also knocked off Oklahoma State by 22 points earlier this year.
• South Florida has been incredible at home with a 15-1 record, but away from home, the Bulls are just 8-8 overall, including 2-2 on neutral courts.
• USF is led by its senior All-American guard, Courtney Williams. Williams ranks first or second on the team in points, rebounds, assists, 3-pointers, blocks and steals. On the year, Williams is scoring 22.0 points per game, 12th in the nation.
• On the interior, the Bulls have one of the toughest rebounders in the country in Alisia Jenkins. The senior forward is averaging a double-double on the year with 10.0 points per game and 11.4 rebounds per game. Jenkins is particularly effective on the glass with 3.6 offensive boards per contest.
• South Florida has five girls averaging at least 9.8 points per game, and a total of six girls see 22.5 minutes per game or more.
• This will be the first meeting ever between the two schools.
In The Poll
• The Rams remain ranked in the Top 25 in both the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls, earning a No. 22 ranking in the AP Poll and a No. 22 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
• Prior to these last four weeks, CSU had not been ranked in either poll since Nov. 18, 2002.
• Additionally, the Rams are the first Mountain West school to be ranked since TCU was ranked on Nov. 22, 2010.
Rewriting the Record Books
• The Rams are playing as good of basketball as has ever been seen in Fort Collins. At 28 straight wins, the Rams set a new school record for consecutive wins, surpassing the 19-game win streak set in 1998-99.
• CSU's 28-game win streak is the second longest win streak in the nation, trailing only UConn's (69). The 25-game win streak is also a Mountain West record, surpassing Utah's streak of 22 in 2008-09.
• Additionally, the Rams are now winners of 12-straight true road contests, the longest streak in school history.
• CSU's 15-game home win streak is tied for the third-longest home win streak in program history. CSU went undefeated at home for just the second time in program history (1998-99).
• CSU's 31 wins are the second-most in school history, trailing just the 33 wins in the 1998-99 season.
• The 31 wins are also a new Mountain West record for wins in a single season.
Finding Balance
• Colorado State's offense is one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the nation, capable of hurting an opponent with a multitude of players and inside or outside.
• The Rams have four different girls averaging at least 10.0 points per game: Jamie Patrick (12.9), Elin Gustavsson (10.9), Keyora Wharry (10.8) and Ellen Nystrom (10.2).
• Amazingly, CSU doesn't have a single player averaging even 10 shot attempts per game. Jamie Patrick leads the team at 9.5 attempts per game.
• The Rams are the only team in the Mountain West not to have a single player averaging at least 10 shot attempts per contest.
Another 20-Win Season
• In its 42nd year, the Rams have now registered their 12th 20-win season in school history, and third straight under Head Coach Ryun Williams.
• CSU's last stretch of basketball that was as successful as this was from the 2000-01 season to the 02-03 season.
• Williams is just the third head coach at CSU to have multiple 20-win seasons under his belt, joining Gregg Williams who coached the Rams from 1990-1997, and Tom Collen, who was at the school from 1997-2002.
• Over the last two-plus years, CSU has amassed a 79-17 record (.823). CSU's most successful three-year stretch in program history is 81-20 (.802) from 1998-01.
In A Class Of Her Own
• In her first season with an extended role at point guard, junior Ellen Nystrom has not disappointed and has set numerous school and conference achievements.
• With her stellar play this season, Nystrom was named the Mountain West Player of the Year, and also earned a spot on the conference's all-defensive team.
• On the year, Nystrom is averaging 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.
• The junior is just one of four players in the country to be part of the 10-5-5 club.
• Nystrom has tallied 180 assists so far, breaking the single-season school record of 174 assists by Becky Hammon in 1998-99.
• Nystrom broke the single-season school record with one of the finest championship performances the Mountain West has ever seen, where the junior racked up a single-game school record 16 assists. The 16 assists are the third-highest total posted by an individual this season (Baylor's Niya Johnson, 19 and 18).
• Additionally, Nystrom racked up 103 assists during Mountain West play, ranking fifth all-time in Mountain West history for assists during league play.
All-Conference Honorees
• Two other players, Jamie Patrick and Keyora Wharry, joined Nystrom on the Mountain West's 10-person all-conference team.
• Patrick led the Rams and finished third in the Mountain West in scoring at 15.2 points per game during conference play.
• The senior tied a Mountain West record with 57 3-pointers during conference play, making them at a blistering 44.9 percent. Overall, Patrick was fourth in the Mountain West with a 51.9 percent field goal percentage.
• Wharry, meanwhile, earned her spot on the team as one of the toughest players to contain off the dribble in the entire conference.
• The senior guard was second on the team with 12.0 points per game during league play and finished third in the Mountain West with a 53.3 percent field goal percentage.
Recognizing The Best
• Colorado State's head coach Ryun Williams was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year.
• In four seasons at CSU, Williams has earned that honor twice now.
• Under his guidance, CSU has rattled off a school and Mountain West-record 25-consecutive wins and has tied a conference record for wins in a season. The Rams are also nationally ranked for the first time since 2002.
• Over the past three years, CSU is 48-6 in MW play (.889).
Suffocating Defense
• Over the past two years, Colorado State's scoring defense has been near the top of the conference and national rankings.
• With the new changes to quarters, that stingy defense has only become more prevalent.
• The Rams are giving up just 51.3 points per game, which ranks No. 6 nationally.
• CSU also ranks No. 5 nationally in field goal percentage defense, allowing its opponents to make just 33.1 percent of its field goal attempts.
• CSU is on pace to have the best defense in school history when looking at points allowed per game, field goal percentage defense and 3-point field goal percentage defense.
• The Rams are the only team in the country to rank in the top eight in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense and 3-point field goal percentage defense.
• Through 32 games, just five CSU opponent have even reached 60 points in a game. Boise State scored 64 points, Colorado scored 63 points, Navy scored 73 points in a double-overtime game, San José State scored 78 and Utah State scored 64.
• San José State was held to its season low by far in its first meeting with CSU, scoring just 54 points, which was over 24 points below its season average of 78.7 points per game.
• On the year, Navy and San José State are the only teams to even reach their season scoring average vs. CSU.
• On average, CSU's opponents are being held to 12.6 points less per game than they came into the contest averaging on the year. 15 of CSU's opponents have been held over 10 points below their season average, while seven opponents have been held over 20 points below their season average.
• Even more impressive, 16 of CSU's opponents have been held to less than 50 points, with three teams not reaching the 40-point threshold.
• CSU has held its opponent to single-digits in 35 quarters this year, which is the most out of any Mountain West team.
• CSU's defense was out in full force at the Mountain West Tournament to help earn the team's way to the NCAA Tournament. Over the three-game tournament, the Rams set a new tournament record, giving up just 45.7 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot just 30.2 percent from the field.
Playing With A Chip On Her Shoulder
• Despite a terrific junior campaign that has seen her as the team's second-leading scorer and a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, forward Elin Gustavsson did not receive consideration for the Mountain West's 10-person all-conference team.
• The Swede turned the perceived slight into great motivation for the Mountain West Tournament, where she was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after averaging a tournament-best 16.3 points per game on 58.8 percent shooting.
• Gustavsson fell one point short of her season high in the first round of the MW Tournament and scored in double figures in all three contests to lead the Rams to the championship.
• Fellow Swede Ellen Nystrom was also named to the all-tournament team.
Down But Not Out
• It has been a rare position for the Rams to be trailing in a game, but when they have, they have responded well.
• On the year, the Rams are a perfect 6-0 when trailing at the half.
• In the champoinship game of the Mountain West Tournament, CSU faced its largest deficit of the entire season. The Rams trailed by 14 points at halftime, and by 15 midway through the fourth quarter. CSU played stifling defense over the final 16 minutes, however, to outscore Fresno State 26-10 and win by one point.
Jumping on them early
• The Rams have hardly trailed at all this year leading for a total of 1030:18 of the possible 1290 minutes (79.9 percent). In large part, that is due to CSU's remarkably quick starts.
• CSU is averaging 17.0 points in the first quarter this year, and 16.2 points in the second quarter.
• Conversely, the Rams are giving up just 12.7 points per game in the first quarter and a mere 10.6 points per game in the second quarter.
• The Rams are outscoring their opponents 1060-745 (315 points) in the first half this year and have trailed just six times at halftime. In the second half however, the Rams hold just a 1,119-886 (233 points) advantage.
• CSU has led by double digits at some point in 14 of its last 16 games.
2nd Quarter Nightmare
• Through 32 games of the season, a pattern of success has emerged in the 2nd quarter for CSU.
• In the first two games, the Rams' defense has held its opponent scoreless for an extended period of time from in the second quarter. In the season-opener, the Rams held Western State scoreless for 9:01, and in the second game vs. Incarnate Word, CSU held the Cardinals scoreless for 11:06. This streak started in the exhibition game, when CSU held its opponent scoreless for 12:31.
• This season, the Rams have outscored their opponents 517-340 in the second quarter, their biggest point differential in a quarter this year.
• In 15 of the 32 games this year, CSU has held its opponent to single digits in the second quarter.
• The Rams have only been outscored in the second quarter four times this season, as only three teams have scored more than 14 points in the second quarter against CSU this year.
• The 340 points allowed in the second quarter is by far CSU's fewest points allowed in a quarter. The next lowest total is 405 points in the first quarter.
• The Rams are outscoring their opponents by 5.5 points per game in the second quarter.
Home Court Dominance
• The Rams have been spectacular at home in the 2015-16 season.
• CSU is now 15-0 at home this year and has won 30 straight regular season home games at Moby.
• Additionally, CSU has now won 27 consecutive Mountain West home games dating back to March 6, 2013 vs. Wyoming.
• This year, CSU has an average margin of victory of 21.7 points per game at home.
CSU's D Stealing The Show
• Colorado State found itself with one of the best defenses in the country in the 2014-15 season, and the returns in the 2015-16 season are even more promising.
• Through 32 games of the season, CSU has forced its opponents into 504 turnovers and has tallied 258 steals.
• 22 of CSU's 32 opponents have turned the ball over at a higher rate vs. the Rams than their season average coming into the contest.
• Junior guard Ellen Nystrom and senior guards Keyora Wharry and Jamie Patrck have been giving opponents nightmares on the perimeter. Nystrom is averaging 1.8 steals per game, while Wharry is averaging 1.5 swipes per game and Patrick is averaging 1.2 steals per game.
• In its first game of the season, CSU's defense was swarming, forcing 33 turnovers and tallying 22 steals. The Rams held the Mountaineers to just 31.7 percent shooting from the field and 27.3 percent from beyond the arc.
The 3-Point Shot Is Not Your Friend
• The Rams have been as good as any team in the country at neutralizing the 3-point shot defensively. On the year, CSU ranks No. 8, allowing its opponents to make just 26.1 percent of their 3-point attempts.
• In recent weeks, the Rams have been even more effective guarding the line. Since conference play started, CSU's opponenets are shooting just 24.4 percent from beyond the arc (80-of-328).
• As effective as CSU's defense has been in shutting down the 3-point line, the Rams do a great job taking away the easy shots and forcing the shots from distance. In conference play, roughly 30 percent of their opponents shots are coming from beyond the arc.
Out In The Lead
• 32 games through the 2015-16 season, the Rams are off to a historic pace in the school's storied history.
• Through the first 32 games, the Rams have led for 1030:18 of the 1290 total minutes.
• By contrast, the Rams have trailed for just 184:28, or 14.3 percent of the time.
• Even more impressively, CSU has led from start to finish in 12 games this year.
Leading Scorer Troubles
• During the Mountain West season, Colorado State has made it a point to shut down the opponent's leading scorer.
• Boise State's Brooke Pahukoa came into her contest against the Rams averaging 15.9 points per game. Against CSU, she scored four points on 0-of-3 shooting.
• UNLV's Brooke Johnson came into her game against CSU averaging 14.4 points per game. Against CSU, she mustered seven points on just 3-of-18 shooting.
• San José State's Dezz Ramos entered the game second in the Mountain West averaging 19.8 points per game. However, against CSU she scored nine points on 3-of-12 shooting.
• Wyoming's Marquelle Dent was held to one of her least efficinet games of the year, scoring 14 points on 4-of-15 shooting. Dent also was forced into four turnovers.
• In Boise State's second game against Colorado State, leading scorer Brooke Pahukoa once again was held in check. After making her first shot, Pahukoa finished 1-of-7 from the field for five points.
• In UNLV's second game vs. CSU, sophomore guard Dakota Johnson equaled her season average of 14 points, but she did so on 5-of-20 shooting.
• In Wyoming's second game against CSU, leading scorer Marquelle Dent was once again held to an inneficient game. The senior scored 13 points on 5-of-20 shooting.
• In total, those five leading scorers have averaged just 9.4 points per game in their seven games against the Rams while shooting 21-of-95 from the field (22.1 percent)
It's a block party
• Facing one of its toughest opponents of the year, CSU's interior defense was as strong as it had been all year with a season-high nine blocks vs BYU.
• On the year, the Rams are averaging 3.3 blocks per game, and rank fourth in the Mountain West.
Feed The Swede
• Throughout the yaer junior guard Ellen Nystrom has handed in numerous career-performances.
• In the first game of the season, the Lulea, Sweden native showcased her dominant defense with a career-high seven steals.
• In the second game of the year, Nystrom turned her attention to her offense, tying a career high with 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting and making 8-of-10 free throws.
• Against Navy, Nystrom was asked to go the distance by playing all 50 minutes in a double-overtime thriller. Nystrom responded with one of her best games of the year with 17 points, five rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks.
• Nystrom's great season continued against in-state rival Colorado. Nystrom hit two shots in the final 13.6 seconds, including the game-winner with 1.7 seconds left, to give CSU the 64-63 win. Nystrom finished the game with 14 points, eight assists and no turnovers.
• Nystrom's best performances, perhaps, came in the two contests against Fresno State though. In the first game against the Bulldogs, Nystrom helped the Rams clinch their third-straight outright league title with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. In the championship game against Fresno State with a spot in the NCAA Tournament on the line, Nystrom set a school record with 16 assists and scored her only two points at the free throw line with 3.3 seconds remaining to give the Rams the win.
Arias Earns MW Honors
• Senior forward Alana Arias has been on a tear in recent games. Arias won Mountain West Player of the Week (Jan. 11) after averaging 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game off the bench.
• Arias was the first bench player to win Mountain West Player of the Week since Fresno State's Moriah Faulk won it in 2013.
Gustavsson takes home MW Honors
• Junior forward Elin Gustavsson was named the Mountain West's Player of the Week (Dec. 7) for her performance against Colorado.
• The Swedish native poured in a season-high 22 points, and hauled in seven rebounds, all in the second half. She also contributed defensively with two blocks and one steal.
• It marked the third time in as many games vs. CU that Gustavsson has topped the 20-point mark. Gustavsson is averaging 23.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in three career games vs. CU.
Spreading the Wealth
• With such a diverse and well-balanced team, the Rams make sure to get everyone involved in the game.
• In its first game of the season, 13 different Rams played with 12 players scoring.
• After graduating both of its point guards from last year's squad, the Rams had no issue replacing that production with junior guard Ellen Nystrom stepping in and dishing out seven assists in her first start in the new role.
• Nystrom now leads the team with 5.5 assists per game.
• As a team, the Rams had 26 assists on 34 made baskets, good for the second most in the opening week of the season.
Familiar Faces
• Despite losing key seniors Gritt Ryder, the Mountain West co-Player of the Year, and AJ Newton, the Rams return plenty of experience for the 2015-16 season.
• Colorado State returns three starters and seven letterwinners total from last year's 23-8 team. Additionally, the Rams return four other players who were members of last year's team that sat out due to either injury, a redshirt season, or as a transfer.
• Of the returning players, both junior guard Ellen Nystrom and junior forward Elin Gustavsson are two-year starters. During their two years at CSU, the Rams have had one of their best stretches in school history going 48-16.
New Roles
• Although the Rams return numerous starters and key participants from last year's Mountain West championship team, CSU will have it's fair share of adjustment and transition in the 2015-16 season.
• With losing two point guards and primary ball handlers, numerous player roles will be shifted. Junior guard Ellen Nystrom, primarily used as an off-guard in her first two seasons, will shift to point guard and a primary ball handler for the Rams this year. Nystrom has grown up playing point guard and handles point guard duties for her national team.
• Colorado State will also utilize redshirt sophomore Hannah Tvrdy, a transfer from Nebraska, in the point guard role.
Success Under Williams
• With Colorado State under the guidance of Head Coach Ryun Williams, the Rams are
currently in the middle of one of their most
successful stretches in program history.
• Colorado State's 48 wins over the last two years is the fourth-best two-year stretch in school
history
• The Rams have been as successful as they ever have been in the Mountain West with Williams at the helm winning back-to-back titles for the first time since the 2000-01 and 2001-02 campaigns.
• In Mountain West play, Colorado State is 30-6 over the last two years, and 38-15 overall with Williams.
• Williams' .712 winning percentage in Mountain West games is the fourth-highest winning percentage in conference history.
Preseason All-Conference Watch
• Colorado State's junior guard Ellen Nystrom returns to the team and once again figures to play a prominent roll on the team.
• The 6-1 guard is a two-time all-Mountain West selection and has twice been named to the conference's all-defensive team.
• As a sophomore, Nystrom averaged 9.2 points per game, while leading the team with 6.8 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game.
• Additionally, the Lulea, Sweden native led the Rams in charges drawn, showcasing her versatility and willingness to sacrifice her body on the defensive end of the court.
An International Flavor
• Colorado State boasts one of the most diverse teams in the nation with girls hailing from 10 different states or country.
• In total, the Rams have nine different international girls on the roster.
• Colorado State has four girls from Sweden, Ellen Nystrom, Elin Gustavsson, Veronica Mirkovic and Amanda Kantzy, two from Denmark, Emilie Hesseldal and Sofie Tryggedsson, one from Brazil, Alana Arias, one from Norway, Stine Austgulen, and one from Romania, Kincso Kelemen.
• The Rams credit part of their success to this tremendous team diversity and the different basketball backgrounds that each girl brings.
Rule Changes
• The 2015-16 women's basketball season brings numerous new rule changes, among those playing four 10-minute quarters instead of two 20-minute halves.
• While this is going to be an adjustment for many teams, the Rams may be a step ahead of the competition in this regard.
• With so many girls having international playing experience, many Rams are very familiar with the quarter system, having grown up playing that way in school and with their national teams.
• Additional rule changes include being able to advance the ball after a timeout with 59.9 seconds or less left in the game, four total timeouts (three thirty-second timeouts and one full), and double-bonus free throws after five fouls in a quarter. There will no longer be one-and-one free throw situations.
Moby Madness
• The Rams play in one of the best, and most distinctive home venues in the country.
• Since their inaugural season in 1974-75, the Rams are 374-203 (.646).
• The home court advantage has only gotten better under Williams' tutelage.
• In three-plus years with Williams, the Rams are 51-11 (.823) defending their home court, including an impressive 43-4 mark over the past two-plus years.
Going Deep
• Colorado State has its deepest roster under Williams' tenure as head coach.
• The Rams return seven players who saw playing time last year along with four other girls that sat out last year. The Rams also bring in four talented freshman who could each make an impact for CSU in their first season on campus.
• Colorado State's depth has been something that Williams has consistently pointed to as a strength of the team going forward, and could play dividends for the Rams down the stretch of the season.
Last Time Out...
• Colorado State clinched the Mountain West regular season title with a 68-55 win over Fresno State, becoming the first Mountain West team to win three-straight outright conference championships. The Rams also extended their school record to 24 consecutive victories
• Senior guard Jamie Patrick scored 19 of her game-high 21 points in the second half, while Ellen Nystrom came painfully close to a triple-double with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
Streaking At Home
• CSU has won 30 consecutive regular-season contests at Moby Arena, dating back to the beginning of the 2014-15 season.
• Colorado State lost its home opener to Hawai'i in overtime in the first game of the season, and then reattled off 15 consecutive home victories from Nov. 18, 2014 to Mar. 6, 2015.
• Colorado State's 15-game home win streak was the third longest streak in program history, narrowly falling short of the 18 wins that stretched from the 2002 to the 2004 seasons, and the 21 wins in the 1988 and 1999 seasons.
• Four of Colorado State's six longest home-court win streaks have happened with Williams as the head coach.
Rams Add Four Newcomers to Squad
• The Rams bring in four freshmen who figure to make an impact for the Rams this year.
• Callie Kaiser, a 5-10 guard from Broomfield, Colo joins the Rams after finishing a stellar career at Broomfield high school. Kaiser averaged 15.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while leading the Eagles to a 26-2 record and a conference championship. In her junior season, Kaiser was the only junior to be named to Colorado's 4A first-team all-state.
• Amanda Kantzy, a 6-3 forward, joins the Rams from Vallingby, Sweden where she attended the same high school as junior guard Ellen Nystrom. Kantzy brings a versatile skill set to the Rams causing matchup problems for her opponents with her unique shooting and size combination. Last year, Kantzy planed in 10 games on a veteran-laden Northland Lulea squad, which advanced to the Damligan final. Playing for the U19 BG Lulea team, Kantzy posted 14.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 83.9 percent from the line and over 40 percent from the field.
• Sofie Tryggedsson, a 6-0 guard, hails from the same town as senior forward Emilie Hesseldal, Aarhus, Denmark. Tryggedsson comes to the Rams after playing for Aabyhoj Basketball, where she was the teams leading scorer with 15.3 points per game and also averaged 7.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Tryggedsson also has extensive international experience competing for the Danish national team in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
• Kincso Kelemen, a 5-9 guard from Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania, joins the Rams with four years experience playing for the Romanian national team. Kelemen was named the PLayer of the First League in 2014-15 following her team's trip to the Romanian League Final.
Gone From the Court but not the Program
• Gritt Ryder, the Mountain West's co-Mountain West Player of the Year in 2014-15, graduated and exhausted her playing eligibility, but Ryder will still have a tremendous impact on the 2015-16 Rams. The Rungsted Kyst, Denmark native joins the Rams in 2015-16 as a graduate assistant, and will play a vital role in shaping and tutoring Colorado State's point guards.
Rams Predicted to Three-Peat
•The Colorado State women's basketball team was selected to finish in first place in the Mountain West's preseason poll. A complete look at the MW poll and individual accolades can be found on page 6 of this release. CSU garnered 12 of the 28 first-place votes available, and received 237 points overall. New Mexico ranked second with 221 points and seven first-places votes, while Boise State rounded out the top three at 215 points and six first-place votes. This is just the third time in the history of the Mountain West that Colorado State was predicted to win the league title. The Rams also received a first-place projection prior to the 2013-14 season and the 2001-02 season. In both instances, CSU went on to win the Mountain West regular season title.
Rams On The Radio
• Rams basketball can be heard live worldwide on the Rams Sports Properties Colorado State Sports Network. The 2015-16 season will feature live game coverage of all of Colorado State's exhibition, regular-season and postseason contests. Matthew Wozniak is the basketball team's full-time play-by-play announcer.
• All of CSU's contests can be heard on Rams Sports Properties Colorado State Sports Network, and 1410 KIIX. Live coverage isn't limited to the Colorado State Sports Network's normal coverage area. Ram fans worldwide can listen to the action live streaming on CSURams.com in partnership with Stretch Internet.
Rams On The Web
• Fans worldwide can get an inside look into Colorado State University and Rams hoops as CSU continually expands its coverage through the use of new media. By logging onto www.CSURams.com, fans can instantly access all of the most up-to-date information on the team including game statistics, exclusive video content and more. In addition, CSU basketball fans can follow the Rams on twitter @CSUWomensBball. Colorado State women's basketball is also on Facebook. Log onto facebook.com/CSUWomensBasketball.
Live Statistics
• Live statistics are available for all home games and most road contests games by clicking the "GameTracker" logo on the men's basketball "Schedule/Results" page on CSURams.com.
Players Mentioned
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Guard/Forward
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Guard
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Guard
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Guard
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Guard
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Guard
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Guard
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Forward
/ Women's BasketballWednesday, May 20
Friday, March 20
Thursday, March 19
Monday, March 16