Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Cris Tiller
The Dish: Rams Exploring All Paths to Victory
1/18/2020 4:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Martin's bench production keys road win at Air Force
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The role of a sixth man is simple in all the complexities which occur in basketball. Their job, put simply, is to start fires. Make the other team afraid when you kneel beside the scorer's table.
Kris Martin, as his career has reached its final year, is looking to exemplify the traits of a lethal sixth scorer.
With the game in reach for Air Force on Saturday, Martin drilled three consecutive shots from deep to lengthen the margin and silence the crowd in the process. His team-high 19 points in only 19 minutes is exactly what head coach Niko Medved needed in a 78-65 victory.
The run was part of a final stretch for the Rams which saw them hit 8-of-10 shots at one point, as well as hold the Falcons scoreless over the final 2:14 as part of another 6-0 streak.
"Kris stayed with it," Medved said. "I though his defense was terrific late in the game and he made some huge shots. That's a great way for us to grind out a win.
"He really only got a short run in the first half. To stay with it like that and come in ready, he was the catalyst for us today."
This is nothing new for Martin. He's the most tenured player on a roster full of new faces to the collegiate game.
Several players have the ability to step up for the Rams. When they nailed 19 3-pointers against New Mexico, it was easy to see the explosive nature of the roster. Keeping the momentum when everything seems to be falling is one thing, but being able to struggle in the first half before opening the floodgates in the second is another. Martin knows it. He also knows when a moment is ready for taking.
"It's not about who starts, it's about impacting winning," Martin said. "Whatever my team needs me to do, I'll do it. That's all that matters – winning games."
Each of the Rams' past four games has required something different. They've all been wins, all with different routes. Martin taking over was the latest path.
The Rams are learning how to win – learning how to find each game's unique formula. Placing Martin on the bench, with a starting lineup of Kendle Moore, Isaiah Stevens, Adam Thistlewood, David Roddy and Nico Carvacho, has resulted in four wins in as many tries.
"Every game you go out could be played a little different," Medved said. "There's something about learning how to win and knowing what that is. What this group is starting to do is learning how to win and it's been fun to watch."
Foul trouble, shooting woes early and a hostile crowd in Clune Arena all could've sank the Rams. The game plan from the Falcons was to completely close out the lane against a visiting squad which thrives at the rim could have as well.
Martin didn't let them this time. Next time, it could be any array of different players.
Five different Rams battled to double-digit scoring. Against New Mexico, it was six. Having so many weapons, including a lethal sixth man will not only allow wins to pile up, it will also prevent other teams from finding the Rams' fatal flaw – the one key to beating them.
Being unpredictable will matter even more as the Mountain West Tournament rolls around.
Kris Martin, as his career has reached its final year, is looking to exemplify the traits of a lethal sixth scorer.
With the game in reach for Air Force on Saturday, Martin drilled three consecutive shots from deep to lengthen the margin and silence the crowd in the process. His team-high 19 points in only 19 minutes is exactly what head coach Niko Medved needed in a 78-65 victory.
The run was part of a final stretch for the Rams which saw them hit 8-of-10 shots at one point, as well as hold the Falcons scoreless over the final 2:14 as part of another 6-0 streak.
"Kris stayed with it," Medved said. "I though his defense was terrific late in the game and he made some huge shots. That's a great way for us to grind out a win.
"He really only got a short run in the first half. To stay with it like that and come in ready, he was the catalyst for us today."
This is nothing new for Martin. He's the most tenured player on a roster full of new faces to the collegiate game.
Several players have the ability to step up for the Rams. When they nailed 19 3-pointers against New Mexico, it was easy to see the explosive nature of the roster. Keeping the momentum when everything seems to be falling is one thing, but being able to struggle in the first half before opening the floodgates in the second is another. Martin knows it. He also knows when a moment is ready for taking.
"It's not about who starts, it's about impacting winning," Martin said. "Whatever my team needs me to do, I'll do it. That's all that matters – winning games."
Each of the Rams' past four games has required something different. They've all been wins, all with different routes. Martin taking over was the latest path.
The Rams are learning how to win – learning how to find each game's unique formula. Placing Martin on the bench, with a starting lineup of Kendle Moore, Isaiah Stevens, Adam Thistlewood, David Roddy and Nico Carvacho, has resulted in four wins in as many tries.
"Every game you go out could be played a little different," Medved said. "There's something about learning how to win and knowing what that is. What this group is starting to do is learning how to win and it's been fun to watch."
Foul trouble, shooting woes early and a hostile crowd in Clune Arena all could've sank the Rams. The game plan from the Falcons was to completely close out the lane against a visiting squad which thrives at the rim could have as well.
Martin didn't let them this time. Next time, it could be any array of different players.
Five different Rams battled to double-digit scoring. Against New Mexico, it was six. Having so many weapons, including a lethal sixth man will not only allow wins to pile up, it will also prevent other teams from finding the Rams' fatal flaw – the one key to beating them.
Being unpredictable will matter even more as the Mountain West Tournament rolls around.
Players Mentioned
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