Rams Finish Non-Conference Play Hosting Long Beach State, Dec. 23

2017-18 Colorado State Men's Basketball
Game #13 - Colorado State (6-6) vs. Long Beach State (5-9)
December 23, 2017 • 2 p.m. MT • Moby Arena (8,745) - Fort Collins, Colo.

Video: MW Network (http://CSURams.com/live)
Colorado State Sports Network -- Play-by-Play: Brian Roth / Color Analyst: Adam Nigon
Flagship: KARS 102.9 FM (Fort Collins); Affiliates: KDCO 104.7 FM (Denver), KMTS 99.1 FM (Glenwood Springs), KJME 890 AM (Colorado Springs), KKVT 100.7 FM (Grand Junction), KRFD 100.1 FM (Sterling)

Opening Tip
•   Colorado State plays the final of three consecutive home games to end non-conference play, hosting Long Beach State, Saturday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. MT
•   The contest between the Rams and 49ers will be televised on the MW Network.
•   Live audio is available on the Colorado State Sports Network, including KARS 102.9 FM (flagship). Brian Roth is on the play-by-play for the Rams, with Adam Nigon handling the analysis.
• The game will also have live audio on CSURams.com in partnership with SIDEARM Sports and live stats on CSURams.com.

Rams Quick Hits
• The 2017-18 season marks the 116th in the history of the Colorado State men's basketball program. The Rams are 1,246-1,237 (.502) in 2,483 games all-time.
•   Colorado State is under the direction of coaching veteran Larry Eustachy, who is starting his sixth season as the leader of the Rams' program and his 27th as a Division I head coach in 2017-18. Last season, Eustachy reached the 500-win plateau in his coaching career and the 100-victory mark at CSU along with being named the Mountain West Coach of the Year.
• Colorado State basketball is looking for its eighth invitation for postseason play in the last nine years, advancing to the second round of the 2017 National Invitation Tournament.
• CSU lost two of last year's five starters, including Mountain West Player of the Year Gian Clavell and First Team All-MW forward Emmanuel Omogbo, who set a new record for double-doubles in league play in 2016-17.
• Overall, the Rams return three players with significant starting experience in redshirt-junior J.D. Paige, junior Prentiss Nixon and redshirt-sophomore Nico Carvacho. Nixon, an honorable mention All-MW pick by the media last year, averaged 13.2 points per game, while Paige was at 8.8 points and a team-best 2.5 assists per game. Carvacho posted 5.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, ranking third on the team in boards.
• For broadcasting quick hits, current averages and career highs on individual players, go to the back page of the notes for a Radio/TV chart that includes that information.

The Coaches
• Colorado State Head Coach Larry Eustachy (Long Beach State, '79) is in his sixth season at the helm of the Rams and holds a 117-66 (.639) record at CSU and 519-324 (.615) overall coaching record in his 27th season. In 2016-17, CSU posted an 24-12 mark, including 13-4 in Mountain West play, advanced to the MW Championship game and played in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.
•   Long Beach State Head Coach Dan Monson (Idaho, '85) is in his 11th season as leader of the 49ers with a 175-167 mark and 21st season as a head coach overall with a 345-290 record.

Scouting Long Beach State
• The 49ers are 5-8 after suffering a tough 85-80 home loss to Eastern Michigan, Dec. 16. LBSU plays at Michigan State on Thursday, Dec. 21.
•   Picked to finish fourth in the Big West, Long Beach State returns one starter and eight letterwinners from last year's team that finished 15-19 and placed fourth in the Big West with a 9-7 record.
•   The 49ers have a pair of Big West Preseason All-Conference selections in senior forward Gabe Levin and junior forward Teimdayo Yussuf, both previously All-Big West honorees. Levin currently leads the team in points, rebounds and steals, while Yussuf

A Win Over Long Beach State Would...
•   Have CSU complete its non-conference slate with a winning record for the sixth time in six years under head coach Larry Eustachy.
•   Make CSU undefeated in non-conference home games this season at 7-0.
•   Improve the Rams home winning streak to seven games and regular-season home win streak to 11.
•   Move Larry Eustachy within three wins of Stew Morrill for second on the CSU career coaching chart.

History Versus the 49ers
•    This will be the fifth meeting ever and third consecutive meeting between the two schools, with the teams having split the previous four contests.
•    Long Beach State has taken the last two games, winning in Fort Collins in 2015-16 and then escaping with a final-second win at home last year.
•    CSU head coach Larry Eustachy is 5-7 all-time against LBSU but has gone 3-2 in home games versus his alma mater.
LONG BEACH STATE - 2-2
Home: 1-1 / Away: 1-1
   Date   Loc.   W/L   Score   Att.
   12/28/1961   Away   W   85-82
   12/10/1965   Home   W   93-84
   12/3/2015   Home   L   77-83   3581
   12/22/2016   Away   L   55-56   2247

CSU vs. Big West Conference
School   Overall   Home   Away   Neut.
Cal Poly   1-0   1-0   -   -
Cal State Fullerton   5-2   5-0   0-1   0-1
Cal State Northridge   4-0   4-0   -   -
Hawai'i   23-21   15-4   6-15   2-2
Long Beach State   2-2   1-1   1-1   -
UC Davis   1-0   1-0   -   -
UC Santa Barbara   2-0   1-0   1-0   -
Totals   38-25   28-5   8-17   2-3

Eustachy vs. Big West Conference
School   Overall   Home   Away   Neut.
Cal Poly   3-0   2-0   1-0   0-0
Cal St. Fullerton   9-0   4-0   4-0   1-0
Long Beach State   5-7   3-2   0-5   2-0
UC Irvine   6-5   2-2   3-1   1-2
UC Santa Barbara   7-3   3-1   2-2   2-0
Totals   30-15   14-5   10-8   6-2

Eustachy Among the Elite
• CSU head coach Larry Eustachy has ranked among the best coaches in his sport for nearly two and a half decades. Now in his 27th season as a mentor at the NCAA Division I level, he got his 500th career win against Air Force in conference play last year.
• His 519 wins ties for 16th among active NCAA Division I coaches (same standard) and is tied for No. 55 all-time (list below)
Current Rankings of Division I Wins for Head Coaches
54.   Pete Carril (Lehigh, Princeton)   525
55.   Larry Eustachy (current CSU)   519
   Jay Wright (current Villanova)   519
57.   John Beilein (current Michigan)   518
58.   Rick Majerus (four schools)   517
59.   John Chaney (Temple)   516
60.   Mark Few (current Gonzaga)   513

• In his first season as the top man of the Rams' program, Eustachy became the first head coach in NCAA Division I history to lead five different programs - CSU, Southern Miss, Iowa State, Utah State and Idaho - to 24 or more wins in a season.
•   With a career record of 519-324 (.616), Eustachy ranks as one of just 75 head coaches (out of 351 Division I programs) to have a .600 or better win percentage with a minimum of five years experience. He is one of just 32 coaches in the ranking with at least 20 years of Division I experience.

Moving Up the CSU Coaching Ranks
•   CSU head coach Larry Eustachy continues to move up the record chart for the Rams in victories.
•   Already starting the season with the highest winning percentage among coaches with at least four years at the school, Eustachy reached the 100-win plateau at CSU faster than any other coach in school history and passed Dale Layer (103, 2001-07) for third during the 2016-17 campaign.
•   Three of his teams have the three-highest single-season win totals in program history with 27 (2014-15), 26 (2012-13) and adding 24 victories last season.
Rk   Name   Yrs   Gms   Won   Lost   Pct.
1.   Jim Williams (1955-80)   26   645   352   293   .546
2.   Stew Morrill (1992-98)   7   207   121   86   .585
3.   Larry Eustachy (2012-17)   6   183   117   66   .639
4.   Dale Layer (2001-07)   7   209   103   106   .493
5.   Boyd Grant (1988-91)   4   127   81   46   .638

Eustachy Versus Non-Conference Opponent Leagues
Conference   Record
American Athletic Conference   46-48
Atlantic Coast Conference   1-7
Big Sky Conference   49-15
Big South Conference   4-0
Big West Conference   30-15
Missouri Valley Conference    11-13
Pac-12 Conference    15-19
Southeastern Conference   17-17
Southland Conference    18-5
Sun Belt Conference    13-4
Western Athletic Conference    19-6
Division II/Other    64-2
Totals           287-151

Eustachy vs. This Year's Non-Conference Opponents
       Overall   Home   Road   Neutral
Arkansas   1-2   0-0   0-2   1-0
Arkansas-Fort Smith   4-0   4-0   0-0   0-0
Colorado   9-8   6-2   3-5   0-1
Florida State   0-2   0-0   0-1   0-1
Long Beach State   5-7   3-2   0-5   2-0
Missouri State   1-2   0-0   0-2   1-0
New Mexico St.   11-5   7-1   3-4   1-0
Northwestern State   1-0   1-0   0-0   0-0
Oregon   0-2   0-0   0-2   0-0
Sacramento State   4-0   2-0   2-0   0-0
Texas State   1-0   1-0   0-0   0-0
Tulane   11-6   5-2   4-3   2-1
Winthrop   1-0   1-0   0-0   0-0
Totals   49-33   30-7   12-23   7-3

CSU All-Time Vs. 2017-18 Opponents
       Overall   Home   Road   Neutral
Air Force   78-31   42-10   32-17   4-4
Arkansas   0-1   -   0-1   -
Arkansas-Fort Smith   4-0   4-0   -   -
Boise State   10-9   8-2   1-7   1-0
Colorado   38-89   28-36   9-53   1-0
Florida State   0-2   -   -   0-2
Fresno State   17-15   13-2   2-11   2-2
Long Beach State   2-2   1-1   1-1   -
Missouri State   1-1   -   0-1   1-0
Nevada   9-10   5-2   4-7   0-1
New Mexico   46-75   33-25   12-48   1-2
New Mexico State   5-2   4-0   1-2   -
Northwestern State   3-0   2-0   1-0   -
Oregon   1-9   0-1   0-5   1-3
Sacramento State   5-0   4-0   1-0   -
San Diego State   41-40   26-11   13-25   2-4
San Jose State   15-0   7-0   6-0   2-0
Texas State   2-0   2-0   -   -
Tulane   0-1   -   -   0-1
UNLV   16-37   11-14   5-22   0-1
Utah State   38-53   28-18   10-34   0-1
Winthrop   1-0   1-0   0-0   0-0
Wyoming   92-134   51-55   38-75   3-4
Totals   424-511   270-177   136-309   18-25

Last Time Out...
•   A late 10-0 run put the game away for Colorado State, as the home team earned an 87-72 win over a pesky Arkansas-Fort Smith, Dec. 19. With their sixth straight home win this season, the Rams improved to 6-6 overall on the season.
•   This was a back-and-forth affair with six ties and 11 lead changes in the game, the last coming with just under 10 minutes to play in the contest as CSU went up 61-60 on a Deion James' tip in. The margin was no more than four over the next four minutes of action before the Rams put on an 8-0 run over 2:30 to take a 73-64 lead. The gap grew to as many as 17 in the final minute of action, as the Rams closed out the win.
•   In the opening 20 minutes, the two teams battled in the first seven minutes to a near stalemate, with UAFS lead 14-13. From there, CSU went on a 14-2 run over an eight-minute span to take its largest lead of the first half at 27-16. However, the Lions clawed back to cut it to a two-point game before CSU went into the break with a slim 42-39 advantage.
•   Both teams shot the ball well, as CSU finished the night 33-of-47 (44.6 percent) while UAFS was 27-of-61 (44.3 percent). The Rams won the battle of the boards 41-39 and forced 17 Lions' turnovers while giving up just six. CSU also added six blocks on the night and eight steals while outscoring the visitors 38-24 on points in the paint.
•   James, a junior forward, led the Rams with a season-high 22 points on 8-of-12 field goals along with nine rebounds. Junior guard Prentiss Nixon added 17 points, three assists, two blocked shots and a steal, while redshirt-junior guard J.D. Paige chipped in 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Redshirt-sophomore guard Anthony Bonner was the other Ram in double figures with 12 points along with four rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot. UAFS was led by Darrion Strong-Moore with 15 points, while Chris Crawford and Ladarius Coleman contributed 12 and 10, respectively.
(See page 18 for complete box score)

Last Meeting With Long Beach State
•   The Colorado State men's basketball team made a furious comeback but couldn't get the final bucket in a 56-55 loss at Long Beach State, Dec. 22.
•   Colorado State had another slow start in the first half, shooting just 7-of-30 (23.3 percent) from the field, but solid defense, including 8 Long Beach turnovers, kept the Rams close at 29-22 LBSU at the halftime break. The Rams trailed by as many as 15 in the second half, but put together a 13-0 run to cut the margin down to two. From that time, there were several exchanges of points in the final five minutes, as CSU took the lead twice in the final two minutes. However, senior guard Gian Clavell's runner came up short as time expired.
•   CSU shot 40.5 percent (15-of-37) in the second half to climb back in the game and finished at 22-of-68 (32.4 percent). Long Beach State was 31.3 percent overall (21-of-67) and just 8-of-35 in the second half. Boards finished in favor of Long Beach State 56-45, including 22-14 on second chance points. CSU did win the turnover battle 15-7 and outscored the 49ers 14-3 off those turnovers.
•   Redshirt-freshman forward Nico Carvacho and sophomore guard Prentiss Nixon led the Rams with nine points each, while redshirt-sophomore J.D. Paige added eight. Senior forward Emmanuel Omogbo led CSU with nine rebounds along with his six points. Long Beach State was paced by Gabe Levin and Evan Payne with 16 points apiece.
(See page 19 for complete box score)

Last Meeting with LBSU in Moby
•   CSU came up short against Long Beach State, 83-77, Dec. 3, 2015, in Moby Arena. The loss ended the Rams' 10-game regular season home win streak.
•   LBSU got the lead to as high as 11 in the early moments of the second half, but CSU would claw its way back into the game. The Rams eventually took a brief 50-49 lead with just under 14 minutes to play on freshman Prentiss Nixon's three-pointer, but that was the last lead the home team had in the contest. CSU got it down to one with just under four minutes to play but could not overtake the 49ers for the win.
•   Junior guard John Gillon led the way for the Rams with a career-high 28 points, Senior guard Gian Clavell and junior forward Emmanuel Omogbo also had big nights, each recording double-doubles, including a career-high 15 rebounds for Clavell. Freshman guard Prentiss Nixon had a career-high 11 points.
(See page 20 for complete box score)

Moby Arena Homecourt Advantage
•   CSU has a record of 544-217 (.715) record all-time at Moby Arena.
• The Rams are 78-19 (.804) under Larry Eustachy in games played at Moby Arena, including this year's 6-0 mark.
• CSU completed the 2016-17 regular-season home slate at 14-5 (7-2 in Mountain West), giving the program a winning home record for the eighth straight season, including all five under head coach Larry Eustachy.
•   Colorado State finished the 2015-16 regular season 12-5 at Moby Arena.
•    At 15-5 in 2016-17 at Moby Arena, it marked the fifth time in program history that CSU won at least 15 home games. Last season's 15 victories was the sixth season of 15-plus wins at the Rams' arena.
• The Rams finished the 2014-15 regular-season one win shy (15-2) of the best home mark in program history (16-1 in 2012-13). CSU went 15-2 at Moby in 1987-88.

Road Struggles
•   CSU has yet to find a win away from Moby Arena this year in six tries, four of them true road contests.
•   Last season, CSU picked up its fifth straight MW road win and sixth in conference play at New Mexico, Feb. 21, a streak snapped at Nevada March 4, but the Rams finished 9-6 in games away from home in 2016-17.
•   In 2016-17, the Rams won five straight MW road games for the first time ever under head coach Larry Eustachy and for the second time in school history.
•   The only other time CSU won five consecutive conference road games occurred over the last four games of the 1988-89 and first game of the 1989-90 season in the WAC.
•   However under Eustachy, CSU is 26-38 (.406) in true road games, above the national average of 32.4 percent.
•   For comparison in 2015-16, the Rams were 6-11 in games away from Moby Arena.

Fall Semester Wrapped Up
•   The Rams concluded the fall semester of classes in a solid way with a team GPA of better than 2.5.
•   All student-athletes also have met NCAA and CSU standards for eligibility, including progress towards degree requirements.

Rebounding Emphasis Noted
•    Head coach Larry Eustachy makes rebounding one of his top priorities in all practices and games and it shows in his record, as CSU is 99-33 under the leader when winning the glass.
•   The Rams won the battle of the boards in 22 of their 36 games last season, going 19-3 in those contests.
•   Colorado State was +2.6 on the glass in its 36 games with at least one player with a double-figure rebounding total in 26 of 36 games.
•   Last season, CSU finished third in the Mountain West and at 38.2 rebounds per game as well as second in the MW a +2.7 rebounding margin.
•   This season, it is again a key for the Rams, as they have on the boards eight times, including five of the six victories.

Quick Bits Under Eustachy
•   The Rams had a seven-game Mountain West winning streak during last season, the longest MW win streak in program history from Feb. 4-28 (7-0 in February).
•   CSU is 103-7 (40-3 MW) when leading with five minutes to play under head coach Larry Eustachy and 108-7 (45-4 MW) when leading with two minutes to go.
•   The 21-point loss at Fresno State, Jan. 18, 2017 was a rarity, as it was just the second time that a Eustachy-led CSU team lost to a MW foe by more than 15 points (16-2 in his five years in MW games decided by 16 points or more.
•   The Rams are 100-30 (40-14 MW) when shooting more free throws than their opponent and 103-27 (44-12 MW) when opponent commits more fouls overall.
•   When Colorado State forces more turnovers than it gives up, the good guys have posted a 70-19 overall record.
•   When the Rams shoot at least 45 percent from the floor, they are 65-6 (27-4 MW) in five years under Eustachy.

Nixon Does It All
•    Junior Prentiss Nixon became an integral part of the CSU lineup the last two seasons.
•    The guard averaged 13.2 points per game in 2016-17 (13th in MW), scoring in double figures in 27 games, including a current streak of 10 straight.
•    In all MW contests, he averaged 13.3 points per game - 17th in regular-season league only.
•    He scored a then-career-high 30 points against Kansas State and surpassed his high from 2015-16 six times.
•    In the Mountain West Tournament, Nixon averaged 14.7 points per game, earning All-Tournament honors.
•    Against Nevada in the MW championship, Nixon scored 23 points, including tying the school record for a MW Tournament game with six three-pointers.
•    This year, Nixon continued his double-figure scoring streak, moving it to 12 with a pair of 16-point performances before it was snapped against Tulane, Nov. 17. However, he started a new streak with 22 points, including five three-pointers, against Florida State, Nov. 19, followed by 15 at New Mexico State, Nov. 22. He missed the Northwestern State game with a concussion but returned to the lineup with 20 points at Missouri State, Nov. 28.
•   Recently, he scored a career-high 31 points on 8-of-13 field goal attempts (5-of-8 three pointers) and 10-of-11 free throws along with four rebounds at Arkansas, Dec. 5. He then followed it up with 25 at Oregon, Dec. 8.
•    In double-figure scoring 10 of 11 games played, Nixon leads CSU in scoring at 18.1 points per game and has hit a team-best 33 three-pointers. He also has led the Rams in scoring in seven games this season.
•   With 823 career points, if he averages 15.0 points per game from this point on, he will surpass the 1,000 point mark against Wyoming at home on Jan. 31.
•    He also continues to do the job on the defensive end, as he has drawn 23 offensive fouls (a season-high four at Oregon) in his first 11 games along with grabbing 15 steals. Last year, he finished with 37 drawn fouls.
Nixon's MW/National Rankings   Stat   MW   NCAA
Points Per Game   18.1   5th   106th
3-Pt FG Per Game   3.00   2nd   50th
3-Pt Field Goal Attempts   90   1st   35th
Free-Throw Percentage   .893   1st   45th
Free Throws Made   50   6th   101st
3-Pt FG Percentage   .367   5th   138th
Minutes Per Game   34:43   2nd   91st

Bob Learning the Ropes
• Junior Che (said CHAY not SHAY) Bob is figuring out ways to contribute to the Rams' effort in all phases.
•   Getting the start in eight of 12 games played this year, Bob is averaging 10.2 points per game (third for CSU) and 8.1 rebounds per contest (fifth in the Mountain West).
•   Bob had a streak of four straight games with a double-double (five total in his CSU career), with the performance of 13 points and 12 boards at Missouri State, Nov. 28.
•   He tied a career high with 21 points at New Mexico State, Nov. 24, including connecting on seven free throws and a pair of three pointers.
•   In the win over Colorado Dec. 2, Bob scored 11 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots.
Bob's MW/National Rankings   Stat   MW   NCAA
Blocked Shots Per Game   1.75   3rd   74th
Double-Doubles   4   5th   52nd
Rebounds Per Game   8.1   5th   104th

Paige Wheels & Deals
•    Redshirt-junior J.D. (or as Coach Eustachy calls him Jeremiah) Paige adjusted well to his new role within CSU's offense the last two years.
•   Last year, Paige led CSU assists (2.5 apg), was third in steals (0.9 spg) and blocked shots (0.7) and fourth in scoring (8.8 ppg).
•   The Denver, Colo., native had a solid outing against Alcorn State (11/23), recording career bests of 23 points and six assists in the home victory.
•   Paige tied his career high with 23 points, including a career-best five three-pointers in the win over Fresno State, Feb. 11, 2017.
•   This season, Paige picked up a season-high 19 points versus Northwestern State (11/24).
•   He tied for team-high honors with 16 points and earned a career-best seven boards in the win over Colorado, Dec. 2.
•   With his recent performances, Paige is now averaging an improved 10.1 points per game, fourth on the team and has a team-high 2.4 assists per game.

Guards Stepping Up Scoring
•   Redshirt-junior J.D. Paige and junior Prentiss Nixon both showed what another year of college basketball can do for confidence and skills.
•   In 2015-16, Paige averaged 4.9 points a game and shot just 33.8 percent from the field, while Nixon was 4.8 points and 38.9 percent from the floor.
•   Last season, the duo has increased their scoring averages by more than double combined, as Nixon finished at 13.2 points per game while Paige posted 8.8 points per contest.
•   So far in 2017-18, Nixon is leading the team at 18.1 points per game and Paige is fourth at 10.1 per contest.

Carvacho Growing On the Floor
•   Redshirt-sophomore center Nico Carvacho is showing his increased comfort level on the floor for the Rams.
•   Carvacho had a breakout game at Colorado, Nov. 30, 2016, scoring 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbing 9 rebounds.
•   Against Northern Colorado Dec. 10, 2016, he posted his first collegiate double-double of 13 points (5-of-6 FG) and 11 boards.
•   In the win over Wyoming, Feb. 28, 2017, Carvacho posted his second double-double of his collegiate career with 10 points (3-3 FG) and 10 rebounds.
•   This season, Carvacho is second on the glass for CSU with 93 boards (40 offensive) in the first 12 games. His 8.1 boards per game average ranks fifth in the Mountain West.
•   He had his third career double-double with 11 points and a career-best 20 boards in the home win over Winthrop, Nov. 14.
•   Recently, he swatted a career-best four blocked shots along with eight points and nine rebounds in the win over Colorado, Dec. 2.
•   He tallied a season-high 12 points with a team-high five boards at Oregon, Dec. 8.

Taking Charity
•   For the 2016-17 season, CSU was 73.1 percent from the charity line, ranking 34th nationally in free throws made and 33rd in free throws attempted.
•   The Rams also made 596 free throws while their opponents combined for just 663 total attempts.
•   In the win at Colorado Nov. 30, the Rams made their first 18 free throws in a row, a key reason that CSU won the road game.
•   For 12 games, the Rams have shot 71.6 percent from the free throw line, better than the opponents 69.3 percent. However, CSU has gone to the line 46 more times total than its foes, making 194 as compared to just 225 attempts combined for the opponents.

Coaches Shows Back at Lucky Joe's
•   The Coors Light Basketball Coaches' Show is back again, hosted at Lucky Joe's Sidewalk Saloon in Old Town Fort Collins. The show starts at 6 pm with women's coach Ryun Williams, followed by men's coach Larry Eustachy for the second half-hour. Remaining dates of the shows are:
•   January: Mondays, Jan. 8, 15, 22 & 29
•   February: Thursday, Feb. 8 and Mondays, Feb. 12 & 19
•   March: Thursday, March 1

Returning/Lost...By the Numbers
•   The Rams added several key newcomers for 2017-18 as Colorado State looked to fill some gaps from last year's production on the floor.
•   Here is a quick look at what the Rams returned in major statistical categories:
   Category   Total (R/L)   % Returning
   > Scoring   2611 (1255 / 1356)   48.1%
   > Rebounding   1293 (518 / 775)   40.1%
   > Assists   397 (235 / 162)   59.2%
   > Blocks   123 (62 / 61)   50.4%
   > Steals   218 (98 / 120)   45.0%
   > Minutes   7200 (3941 / 3259)   54.7%

Roster Size... But Inexperienced
•   CSU has 11 players available for action during the 2017-18 season. Of those, eight were part of the program last season, with six having played, with two newcomers to the lineup.
•   Senior Che Bob and juniors J.D. Paige and Prentiss Nixon will be looked at to lead the squad. Redshirt-sophomores Nico Carvacho and Anthony Bonner also saw extensive action last year. Redshirt-sophomore Juan Sabino II came in at midseason and played limited minutes in 2016-17.
•   Redshirt-junior Robbie Berwick and redshirt-sophomore Lorenzo Jenkins have seen their first playing time at Colorado State after sitting out last year due to NCAA Division I transfer rules. Transfers junior Deion James and redshirt-sophomore Raquan Mitchell as well as freshman Logan Ryan join the program and have contributed in the early going.
•   However, the Rams combine for just 7.5 seasons of NCAA Division I experience to start the season, four of those coming from juniors J.D. Paige and Prentiss Nixon.

Rams Take 2017 MW Awards
•   Colorado State again was among the top honorees, this time by the coaches of the Mountain West Conference, as senior guard Gian Clavell was selected as the league's 2017 Player of the Year, while Larry Eustachy was recognized as the Coach of the Year.
•   Senior forward Emmanuel Omogbo was named First Team All-MW along with Clavell, while the pair also was named to the league's All-Defensive team.
•   This is the first time in school history that CSU has had two players named to the first team all-conference in any season, as well as two in a single season named to the all-defensive squad.
•   The duo was also named to the U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-District team for District VIII.
•   The 2017 Mountain West Player of the Year according to the league media, Clavell led the MW in league scoring at 21.2 points per game, including two games of 30 points or more, as well as ranking seventh in rebounding at 6.9 per MW game. Often guarding the opponent's top backcourt player, Clavell also was second in steals (1.8 spg) and 3-pointers made (3.1 3pg) while ranking seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (.409).
•   Eustachy led the Rams to a 21-10 overall regular season record, 13-5 in the Mountain West and the No. 2 seed in the MW tournament. The 13 wins tied the program record for conference wins, while CSU set a new school mark with five consecutive league road wins in a single season. This is the first time in his five years in the MW and the sixth time overall that Eustachy has been selected as his conference's coach of the year.
•   Selected by the league media to First Team All-Mountain West, Omogbo became the new standard for double-doubles in the Mountain West this past season, recording a new league record with 13 during conference action. He led the conference in rebounding at 10.9 boards per conference game and ranked 11th in scoring at 15.7 points a contest. He was also third in league field goal percentage, hitting .495 of his shot attempts, and tied for eighth at 1.3 steals per game.

Rams on the Radio
•   Rams basketball can be heard live worldwide on the Rams Sports Properties Colorado State Sports Network. The 2017-18 season features live game coverage of all of Colorado State's regular-season and postseason contests.
•   Brian Roth, the Voice of the Rams, is in his fifth season as the basketball team's full-time play-by-play announcer. He is joined for the second season by former Ram Adam Nigon who will provide color commentary for the Rams.
• In addition to the Colorado State Sports Network, Rams fans worldwide can listen to the action live streaming on CSURams.com in partnership with SIDEARM Sports.

Looking Ahead
•   Colorado State opens Mountain West play on the road, playing at Boise State, Wed., Dec. 27 at 7:30 pm MT.
•   The contest between the Rams and Broncos will be televised on CBS Sports Network and is the second time in three seasons the two teams will meet in the league opener (both at BSU).
•   The game will air across the Colorado State Sports Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Brian Roth and Adam Nigon on the call.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results