RamWire: Men's basketball moving forward as Team Together

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Sitting in his office, he can sit back and smile.

What Niko Medved is looking to develop in the men's basketball program at Colorado State is starting to take shape. Much like any project, there are steps.

With the Rams together for just about two weeks now, all the materials sit before the second-year coach. He can look at them and envision a completed project -- an impressive one, even. He also knows the construction has to take place.

"For me -- and there's so many facets to it -- I got into coaching because you want to be part of something bigger than yourself, and I think when all these guys come here, everybody should have individual goals," Medved said. "At the end of the day, what really makes it great is when somebody can sacrifice that for the team, for the program and be part of something bigger than yourself. When you really find that and you grasp that, it's really something special.

"I think, for us, it's to teach that to these guys in all areas of their life. How can you become your best as a person, but do it in the context of the team? The other thing that's really cool is you find when your team is better, when you're more connected and you're really invested in something bigger than yourself, it's crazy how it comes and pays you forward and you actually have more individual success, you have individual accolades."

The squad has developed a slogan – Team Together – as a starting point to direct the Rams in the right direction. It's a program which has undergone a series of changes the past few years from the top on down, and turnover doesn't carry continuity.

With Medved at the helm, he has a plan of what his program should look like, how the players should act and present themselves, all of it intended to carry over on the court and pave the way to winning records and Mountain West championships.

The players who have been part of the past and will play a role in the future, have adopted the blueprint and taken a lead role.

"As soon as I came in, there wasn't any new-player kind of nerves," true freshman David Roddy said. "I have developed a relationship with Kendle Moore, with Nico Carvacho, with Adam Thistlewood the past few months, even before I committed. I saw these guys as friends even before I moved in. Now we have spaces where we can be together, and hang out and watch movies, play video games, stuff like that. It's been a great experience my first two weeks here, and they've done a good job of representing the motto of Team Together."

Moore said his introduction last year was good, but even still, his intent is to "take it to another level." He's not practicing quite yet, due to offseason surgery, but he is acting as a coach while he's there, quick with an encouraging word or an answer to a question.

This is what sparks Medved's smile. The initial stages are off to a good start, and he's seen glimpses with his players on and off the court. There are interactions in all settings, and at practice, the communication level is redlined.

By no means does he believe the product is anywhere close to finished. As with any family, there will be dysfunction. Think holiday gatherings. This is a collection of personalities – players and coaches included. They must learn to mesh and to be accepting. In those moments, Medved sees the ultimate potential for gains to be made.

"I think through all those things you can grow," Medved said. "Where is your spirit? Are you really trying to be a part of this? Do you really want to try and find a way to help? Everybody thinks it's smooth sailing all the time, but I think that a lot of times your biggest growth happens when you go through those hard times."

The starting point is crucial, as it provides the foundation. So far, Medved hasn't seen any immediate hurdles to clear. He's seen his veterans be upfront and helpful, which Roddy appreciates. He has seen the newcomers – transfers included – spark interactions.

Medved knows it is a combined effort. More importantly, the players are driving it themselves, knowing as much as their leader how vital the connections are to their success.

"I feel it's a big push. All the newcomers, they're coming in and buying in," Moore said. "Everybody is working hard, giving 110 percent, on and off the court. Being good leaders. We're trying to be good role models and teach the young fellas what it means to be as one together in the family.

"Everybody's only been together for two weeks, but on the court, we're working together. We're talking, we're communicating on and off the court, like in the weight room and academically. I feel like everybody is buying in to what Team Together is and what we're trying to do at Colorado State. I feel like we're going to have a pretty good year."

The upcoming season is still a ways off. In the meantime, he wants them all to be true to themselves, and also recognize instances where they may need to step out of their comfort zone for the good of the team. There is room for them to be their own person. Crack a joke, or be sarcastic. Come across as serious, even quiet.

All of those personality traits have a place – a home, really – in the program Medved wants to build. Every season, a team's dynamic will have a different connection, but it does have to connect. Be understanding when called upon, speak up in the right moment.

"Just us, knowing each other and getting to know each other even more, it's going to make it 100-times easier and better during the season," Moore said. "During the season, things can get worked up with school and class, but as long as we stick together and help each other out … I was a freshman last year, and I know it can be a little overwhelming."

The only overload so far is one that is welcome – communication. It is fluid on the court in workouts, but also in the locker room or away from arena altogether.

Roddy has invested in it all, and does his best to reciprocate. His sense is any understanding he can glean from his teammates, who they really are as people and players, will only advance the cause. For instance, there's the "feud" between Hyron Edwards and Kris Martin over the NBA Finals, and Martin's excuse-making for Golden State's demise in the series.

"We noticed that right away. As soon as somebody walks into the locker room, we can hear who it is, their voice. If they're cracking jokes immediately, or they're just quiet and going to the side," Roddy said. "We invite everybody into conversations and stuff. It's a welcoming environment. Coach Niko, he's not forcing us, but he pushes us to be together. He doesn't need to do that. We're already together as a family, and I think it's going to be great to step on the basketball court knowing what people like, what people don't like to do, stuff like that."

Away from the court is just as important, even when not together. Medved reminds them attention to detail in the classroom, their mental and physical health, are all part of the equation.

Right now, he's enjoying it, but paying close attention. Everything he has witnessed has him encouraged, but then again, the Rams have just started to build their home.

"Everything in your life matters. Sometimes they want to separate," Medved said. "As long as I'm hooping over here, I'm good. What you learn is it's all intertwined. As you learn to become a better student, get more sleep, have better relationships socially, you mature as a young man. Whatever it is, they intertwine. You become happier, you practice better, you start to play better. I think it's teaching these kids that personal development and growth is really the key to everything."

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