Colorado State University Athletics
The Dish: Rams' Freshmen Growing With Each Game
12/10/2019 9:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Key contributions help lead to win over South Dakota State
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The only way to grow is to do. Colorado State men's basketball is throwing their freshmen to the fire to learn – something which is working more each day.
On a game-to-game basis, Colorado State head coach Niko Medved is sending four newcomers to the floor. Their minutes have varied, as has their production, something not wholly unexpected.
Against South Dakota State Tuesday at Moby Arena, the team needed each of their breakouts in a 72-68 victory.
"I think they're confident when they come in," Adam Thistlewood said. "They just give us a burst of energy that we need to keep going."
When the game was close in the first frame, John Tonje entered the game and proceeded to nail two 3-pointers as part of his seven points in just less than 12 minutes. In the second half, it was Dischon Thomas who stepped in to tally eight points in a less than a two-minute span to push the Rams lead to six.
David Roddy tossed in seven points of his own, as well as several key passes in transition opportunities as part of 27 combined points for the team's quartet of first years.
"I think our bench is growing," Medved said. "John and Dischon are clearly starting to get more comfortable. I think it's awesome for us right now, and it's awesome as we continue to build and hopefully become a better team."
The speed bumps show as well. Late in the game, Isaiah Stevens made an errant pass, resulting in a turnover as the Rams were attempting to regain the lead. Just seconds later, he made a pass to Kris Martin streaking down the court to seal the game.
A finicky part of relying on freshmen is understanding their growth potential is immense – the mistakes are merely part of reaching the goal.
"There's a ton of room to grow for all these guys," Medved said. "As you start to do more and more and they start to see more things and more concepts on both ends of the floor, it starts to slow down for them. They start to get a little bit more confidence.
"I've always said, there's only one way to get experience. That's to get experience."
The learning curve present from high school to collegiate basketball is one which isn't foreign to the Rams' leaders. Nico Carvacho dealt with it. So did Kris Martin.
Their understanding of the hardships which go along with being the new kid on the block are vital in their ability to teach.
"You learn every single year," Carvacho said. "I was there. It's always tough trying to get your (footing) when you don't play the minutes that maybe you want. You have to go in there and perform."
The template was right in front of them in the win. Thistlewood's 3-pointer with 18 seconds left, courtesy of a Kendle Moore assist, was a perfect microcosm of quick growth. After playing large minutes last year, the pair has sprinted out in their sophomore campaigns.
Youth is good to Medved. It gives the team a ceiling which is so much higher than they can even envision.
The next test for the youngsters comes against Colorado on Friday in what Medved believes is the "biggest game that they'll have played in at home."
While Medved doesn't know how the atmosphere will affect the freshmen, he does know one thing: they'll bring a hefty desire to win.
On a game-to-game basis, Colorado State head coach Niko Medved is sending four newcomers to the floor. Their minutes have varied, as has their production, something not wholly unexpected.
Against South Dakota State Tuesday at Moby Arena, the team needed each of their breakouts in a 72-68 victory.
"I think they're confident when they come in," Adam Thistlewood said. "They just give us a burst of energy that we need to keep going."
When the game was close in the first frame, John Tonje entered the game and proceeded to nail two 3-pointers as part of his seven points in just less than 12 minutes. In the second half, it was Dischon Thomas who stepped in to tally eight points in a less than a two-minute span to push the Rams lead to six.
David Roddy tossed in seven points of his own, as well as several key passes in transition opportunities as part of 27 combined points for the team's quartet of first years.
"I think our bench is growing," Medved said. "John and Dischon are clearly starting to get more comfortable. I think it's awesome for us right now, and it's awesome as we continue to build and hopefully become a better team."
The speed bumps show as well. Late in the game, Isaiah Stevens made an errant pass, resulting in a turnover as the Rams were attempting to regain the lead. Just seconds later, he made a pass to Kris Martin streaking down the court to seal the game.
A finicky part of relying on freshmen is understanding their growth potential is immense – the mistakes are merely part of reaching the goal.
"There's a ton of room to grow for all these guys," Medved said. "As you start to do more and more and they start to see more things and more concepts on both ends of the floor, it starts to slow down for them. They start to get a little bit more confidence.
"I've always said, there's only one way to get experience. That's to get experience."
The learning curve present from high school to collegiate basketball is one which isn't foreign to the Rams' leaders. Nico Carvacho dealt with it. So did Kris Martin.
Their understanding of the hardships which go along with being the new kid on the block are vital in their ability to teach.
"You learn every single year," Carvacho said. "I was there. It's always tough trying to get your (footing) when you don't play the minutes that maybe you want. You have to go in there and perform."
The template was right in front of them in the win. Thistlewood's 3-pointer with 18 seconds left, courtesy of a Kendle Moore assist, was a perfect microcosm of quick growth. After playing large minutes last year, the pair has sprinted out in their sophomore campaigns.
Youth is good to Medved. It gives the team a ceiling which is so much higher than they can even envision.
The next test for the youngsters comes against Colorado on Friday in what Medved believes is the "biggest game that they'll have played in at home."
While Medved doesn't know how the atmosphere will affect the freshmen, he does know one thing: they'll bring a hefty desire to win.
Players Mentioned
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