Rams Head to California To Take On #5 San Diego State Tuesday Night

2019-20 Colorado State Men's Basketball
Game #30 - Colorado State (19-10, 10-6) at #5 San Diego State (26-1, 15-1)
Feb. 15, 2020 • 9 p.m. MT • Viejas Arena (12,414) - San Diego, Calif.

Video: CBS Sports Network (Play-by-Play: Dave Ryan /  Color Analyst: Avery Johnson / Sideline: Jenny Dell) -- DirectTV: 221 / Dish Network: 158 / Comcast Digital: 412 (HD)
Radio: 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), KMTS 96.7 FM (West Glenwood Springs), KRDO 105.5 FM (Colorado Springs), KKVT 100.7 FM (Grand Junction), KMTS/KKVT 99.5/100.3 FM (Rifle), KKVT 97.1 FM (Delta), KKVT 98.1 FM (Montrose), KRFD 100.1 FM (Sterling), KNEC 100.9 FM (Yuma), KNAB 1140 AM (Burlington), KLMR 920 AM (Lamar) / TuneIn App
Live Stats: San Diego State
Complete Game Notes: Colorado State / San Diego State

Opening Tip
• The Rams will play its final road game of the regular season, traveling to Viejas Arena to take on #5 San Diego State Tuesday night.
• The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network, with the tip scheduled for 9 p.m. MT/8 p.m. PT, with Dave Ryan, Avery Johnson and Jenny Dell handling the broadcast.
• The audio will be on the Colorado State Sports Radio Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Brian Roth and Adam Nigon on the call. CSU Sports Network broadcasts can be also accessed on mobile devices through the TuneIn app (free on all Apple, Android, Windows, Blackberry and Amazon Kindle devices) – once downloaded, search "Colorado St. Rams Sports Network" in the app for the games and coaches' show broadcasts.
• The game will also have live stats on CSURams.com

2019-20 Rams Quick Hits
• Colorado State is under the direction of second-year head coach Niko Medved, who took over the helm of the Rams' program in 2018-19. In his seventh season as a head coach, Medved has a 110-117 record overall but improved on the previous season's record in each of his seven years as a head coach, including both years now at CSU.
• The 2019-20 season marks the 116th in the history of the Colorado State men's basketball program. The Rams are 1,281-1,282 (.500) in 2,563 games all-time.
•                                                            CSU concluded the 2018-19 season in the Mountain West Tournament first round and finished the year with an 12-20 overall record, including 7-11 in MW play.
• The Rams are hoping to earn their eighth invitation for postseason play in the last 11 years.
• CSU returns four starters and five letterwinners to this year's squad along with seven newcomers to the program.

• 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 Leaders
• Colorado State Head Coach Niko Medved (Minnesota, '97) is in his second season at CSU as head coach with a 30-30 mark and has an 109-117 overall record is in his seventh season as a head coach.
• San Diego State Head Coach Brian Dutcher (Minnesota, '82) is in his third season at San Diego State and as a head coach overall with a 69-25 record.

A Familiar Face In Fort Collins
• While he may be in just his second season in charge of the program, head coach Niko Medved was already a familiar face around Fort Collins and to Ram fans. Medved previously was on the coaching staff from 2007-13 under two different coaches. He was a key part of recruiting players that helped the Rams to four consecutive postseason appearances, the last two in the NCAA Tournament that included a win over Missouri in 2013.

A Quick Look at San Diego State
• Returning two starters and seven letterwinners from last season's 21-13 squad that finished fourth in the Mountain West with an 11-7 mark, the Aztecs were picked to finish second in the league's preseason poll.
• Junior transfer guard Malachi Flynn was named the MW Preseason Newcomer of the Year and is living up to the billing, as he leads in minutes, points, three-pointers, assists and steals. Yanni Wetzell paces the Aztecs in rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage.

History Versus San Diego State
• The two teams have been in a battle over history, with SDSU holding a slight 44-41 lead in games played, including 40-38 in conference action in both the WAC and MW.
• This year, the Aztecs took the only meeting between the two schools so far, winning in Fort Collins, 79-57, on Dec. 4.
• CSU leader Niko Medved has an 0-2 record against SDSU as a head coach.

SAN DIEGO STATE - 41-44
Conference: 38-40
(Home: 26-14 / Away: 13-26 / Neutral: 2-4)
(complete list on page 21 with CSU vs. stats)

Improvement Always
• Head coach Niko Medved has had extensive success wherever he has coached, both as a head and an assistant.
• As an assistant coach, he helped turn around the CSU program to improving its win totals from his first year in each successive year, ending in four straight postseason appearances.
• He continued that trend at Furman and Drake, improving both programs' win totals from the previous year in each of his five seasons as a head coach, finishing his last three years in postseason play.
• In his first year at CSU in 2018-19, he continued that trend, surpassing the previous season's win totals at CSU, both overall and in Mountain West play.
• This season, the Rams had nine non-conference wins, surpassing last year's total of five. The squad has also won 19 games overall, surpassing last year's total of 12.
• The recent five-game win streak was the longest for CSU since the Rams won seven straight during 2016-17.
The Improvement Under Medved
Year            School                  Overall   Conf      Post
2012-13         Furman**                 6-24     3-15
2013-14         Furman                   9-21     3-13
2014-15         Furman                   11-22     5-13
2015-16         Furman                   19-16     11-7         $
2016-17         Furman                   23-11     14-4        $

2016-17         Drake**                    7-24     5-13
2017-18         Drake                     17-17     10-8        $
2017-18         Colorado State**        11-21     4-14
2018-19         Colorado State         12-20     7-11
2019-20        Colorado State         19-10     10-6
** Seasons prior to Medved taking over program
$ Postseason action for the program

Mountain West Record
• Colorado State - a charter member of the Mountain West - is now 140-186 (.429) in regular-season action against MW foes since the formation of the league in 1999-2000.

Current MW Tournament Breakdown
• The Rams are tied for fifth currently, but would be the sixth seed today based on tiebreakers from UNLV's win over top-seed San Diego State on Saturday. The top five teams in the league receive byes in the first round of the Air Force Reserve Mountain West Championship.
• Unfortunately, CSU holds none of the tiebreakers against UNLV, Boise State, Nevada and Utah State.
• Remaining games that impact the potential for a bye:
• CSU (10-6) - at San Diego State (Tue.), Air Force (Sat.)
• UNLV (10-6) - Boise State (Wed.), at San Jose State (Sat.)
• Boise State (11-6) - at UNLV (Wed.)
• Nevada (11-5) - at Wyoming (Tue.), San Diego State (Sat.)
• Utah State (11-5) - San Jose State (Tue.), at New Mexico (Sat.)

Notes From San Jose State Victory
• The win secures just the seventh winning season in Mountain West play in the Rams' 21-year membership in the league.
• The 10 Mountain West wins are already the fourth-most wins in MW play for CSU and the first time to 10 wins since 2016-17.
• This is just the 12th time in school history that CSU has won 10 conference games and just the 19th time that CSU will finish above .500 in league action (87 years of conference play combined between four leagues)
• The 19 overall wins are tied for the 11th most in school annals.
• The 13 points were the second most for Thomas this season.
• Carvacho picked up the 13th double-double of the season (CSU is 12-1 when he records one), 48th double-double of his career and 34th all-time in Mountain West play, the latter two league records.
• Carvacho also played in his 129th game as a Ram, one shy of the school record of 130 held by Dorian Green (2009-13).

Roster Size... But Inexperienced
• The Rams started the year with 12 eligible players on the roster. CSU had 14 players available to start the 2018-19 season but only 11 in 2017-18.
• Of those 12 this season, just five were a part of the program last season.
• Returners for the Rams combined for 10 seasons of NCAA Division I experience, starting the year.
• However that has not hampered the Rams, as the regular rotation consists of three seniors, two sophomores and four freshmen, with the breakdown below.

2019-20 Production Breakdown (Total (%))
Category          Fr. (4)          So. (3)        Jr. (1)       Sr. (3)
> Points         933 (42.5)     553 (25.2)     7 (0.3)    701 (32.0)
> Rebounds    353 (34.3)      146 (14.2)         0       467 (45.3)
> Assists        204 (45.5)       89 (19.9)      1 (0.3)     154 (34.3)
> Steals          50 (26.2)       58 (30.4)      1 (0.5)     82 (42.9)
> Blocks         29 (50.9)        2 (3.6)          0       26 (45.6)
> Minutes      2212 (37.5)     1655 (28.1)    14 (0.2) 2020 (34.2)

Better Basketball Evident
• The numbers tell the story as CSU has improved in its last 16 contests in key categories, including overall scoring (+7.0 ppg) as well as the number of players averaging 9.5 or more points a game. The result is wins in 12 of the last 16 games after a 7-6 start.

Category      FG%    3P%    Reb +/-   Ast      Stl   Plyr 9+ ppg
First 13 (7-6)   45.1    33.3      -1.1      13.7     6.3         3
Last 16 (12-4) 48.7    38.8      +4.8     16.9     6.8         5

Stevens       PPG    RPG     APG     SPG    FG%      3P%
First 13 (7-6)   10.9     2.9       3.5      0.5    46.4      37.0
Last 16 (12-4) 14.6     3.1       5.3       1.1     49.1       40.0

Roddy         PPG    RPG     APG     SPG    FG%      3P%
First 13 (7-6)    8.5     4.6       1.2      0.7     41.2       15.4
Last 16 (12-4) 14.4     6.7       2.3      0.5     51.5       25.0

Thistlewood PPG    APG      SPG    FG%    3P%      FT%
First 13 (7-6)    9.7     0.8       0.7     44.7    41.4       72.2
Last 16 (12-4) 11.6     0.5       0.7     45.9    40.8       91.4

Long Distance Charges Incurred
• The Rams have dialed long distance effectively over the last 16 games, connecting on 38.8 percent (145-of-374) of their shots beyond the arc.
• Five different CSU players are 37.0 percent or better beyond the line, led by freshman freshman John Tonje at 48.3 percent (14-of-29).
• The other four are sophomores Kendle Moore (44.9 percent) and Adam Thistlewood (40.8), freshman Isaiah Stevens (40.0 percent) and redshirt-senior Kris Martin (37.0 percent).

National Rankings (Team/Players)
(through Feb. 23, 2020)
Team (Top 70 of 350 Division I teams)
Free Throws Attempted                           641           15th
Total Assists                                        448          18th
Personal Fouls Per Game                        15.0          21st
Assists Per Game                                  15.4         27th
Field Goal Percentage                            47.1         27th
3-Point Field Goal Percentage                  36.5        39th
Free Throws Made                                 430         44th
Assist-to-Turnover Radio                         1.18          59th
Scoring Offense                                    75.7        60th
Total 3-Pointers Made                            232         69th

Players (top 100 nationally)
Nico Carvacho
Defensive Rebounds Per Game                7.83          8th
Rebounds Per Game                              10.9          10th
Double-Doubles                                    13             21st
Free Throw Attempts                              76          22nd
Offensive Rebounds Per Game                 3.10         49th
Isaiah Stevens
Total Assists                                        130          63rd
Assist-to-Turnover Radio                         2.06        65th
Assists Per Game                                  4.5         92nd

Carvacho Growing On the Floor
• Redshirt-senior center Nico Carvacho showed his increased comfort level on the floor, growing extensively since his freshman year.
• Carvacho was named First Team All-Mountain West and All-Defensive Team by the league's media, in 2018-19 and honored on the USBWA All-District squad after moving to the top spot on CSU's career rebounding chart.
• He now has a Mountain West-record 1267 (tops in NCAA Division I among current active players), passing previous leader Pat Durham (1985-89) at 851.
• He is now the leader in Mountain West-only double-doubles with 34, passing San Diego State's Kawhi Leonard (2009-11) and Nevada's Jordan Caroline. His 48 career double-doubles are also first in the league's history (first among current active NCAA Division I players).
• Carvacho became the 29th CSU player in history to reach the 1,000 point mark in his career, accomplishing that feat in the opening round of the 2019 MW Championship.
• With his five rebounds against Arkansas State Nov. 20, 2019, he became the first player in league history with 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds.
• He was also named to the preseason watch list for the 2020 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award. Last year, he was a finalist as one of final 10 players for the top center in men's college basketball.
• Carvacho was named to the Preseason All-MW team entering this season by the league's media representatives.
• For his play against Omaha and in the three contests in Grand Cayman as CSU went 3-1 combined, Carvacho was named to the Cayman Islands Classic All-Tournament Team. He posted a pair of double-doubles and averaged 14.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in those games.
• He currently leads the Mountain West in rebounding at 10.9 rpg and has 13 double-doubles on the year.

Martin Stepping Up His Role
•                                                            Redshirt-senior Kris Martin has emerged as one of the leaders this season.
•                                                            The guard led CSU in its opening win over Denver, Nov. 5, scoring a team-high 18 points and adding five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
• He had 17 points (career-high tying 5 three-pointers) in the win over Doane, Dec. 28.
• He came off the bench to tally a game-high 19 points (4-7 3-pointers, 7-8 free throws) in 19 minutes of action in the win at Air Force Jan 18.
• Martin was key in the win over Wyoming Feb. 15, as he scored all 13 points and grabbed all five rebounds in the second half of the win, including hitting the game-winning three pointer in the final minute.
• Over the last three games, he has averaged 10.0 points and 3.7 boards per game while shooting 9-of-17 from the field and 8-15 from the arc.
• The senior currently is sixth for CSU at 7.8 points per game while playing 22.6 minutes a contest, fifth on the team. He is shooting 36.4 percent from the field while also adding 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists a game.

Moving On Up
• Sophomores Kendle Moore and Adam Thistlewood are looked at to help lead this team as two of the four returning starters.
• The duo was strong in the thrilling win over Nevada Jan. 29. Thistlewood tallied a career-high 24 points, 22 of them coming in the second half, including hitting 7-of-10 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 at the charity stripe. Moore added 14 of his own and grabbed a pair of key steals.
• Thistlewood is now fourth on the team at 10.7 points and fifth at 3.0 rebounds per game, while Moore is fifth at 8.7 points a contest and leads with 37 steals. Moore is second on the team at 42.1 percent from the three-point line, while Thistlewood is third at 41.1 as each have connected 51 and 53 times, respectively, beyond the arc.

Newcomers With Impact
• Head coach Niko Medved has played four freshmen in 28 of the 29 contests so far, with three playing in all 29.
• Guard Isaiah Stevens has started all 29 games and tied for game-high honors with forward David Roddy with 12 points at #4 Duke, Nov. 8.
• Roddy also added six rebounds and a steal in his 21 minutes of action.
• Dischon Thomas and John Tonje have both played at least 28 contests and contributed off the bench.
• Stevens is currently leading the team in scoring at 13.0 points per game, shooting 48.0 percent from the floor, 38.7 from the arc and 80.2 percent from the free throw line. He has reached at least 10 points in 21 of the 29 games so far and had at least four assists in 18 of them, averaging 4.50 per game (3rd in the MW).
• Against Wyoming Feb. 15, Stevens set CSU's freshman assist record, surpassing Michael Morris (2002-03) at 121. He currently has 130 assists on the year, which is tied for ninth on the CSU single-season chart.
• Roddy is third at 11.8 points per game and second at 5.8 rebounds a contest, as the freshman has scored in double figures in 20 of the last 25 games and 24 total contests this season.
• In conference action only, the pair rank among the top 20 scorers in the Mountain West, with Stevens in 15th with 13.38 points per game and Roddy 16th with 13.25. Roddy is also 10th in rebounding at 6.25 boards per MW game, while Stevens is third in assists at 4.50 per contest.
• Since entering the starting lineup against Tulsa 16 games ago (CSU is 12-4 in those games), Roddy is averaging 14.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg and shooting 51.5 percent from the floor.

Looking Ahead
• The Rams will return home for Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 29, hosting in-state rival Air Force at 2 p.m.
• The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet.
• The audio will be on the Colorado State Sports Radio Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Brian Roth and Adam Nigon on the call.
•              CSU Sports Network broadcasts can be also accessed on mobile devices through the TuneIn app (free on all Apple, Android, Windows, Blackberry and Amazon Kindle devices) – once downloaded, search "Colorado St. Rams Sports Network" in the app for the games and coaches' show broadcasts.

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