Colorado State University Athletics
Thursday, January 7
Fort Collins, Colo.
6 p.m. MT
Colorado State
vs
UNLV
Rams Back Home For A Pair, Hosting UNLV Jan. 7 & 9
1/6/2021 7:48:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CSU looks to keep its home success going when hosting the Runnin' Rebels on CBS Sports Network and FS1
Opening Tip
• The Rams will return home to host UNLV in the Runnin' Rebels first Mountain West action of the year, Jan. 7 and 9, 2021 in Moby Arena.
• Tip time for the nationally-televised pair of games on Thursday is 6 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Network with the finale on Saturday at 2 p.m. on FS1. Dave Ryan and former college head coach Bob Wenzel are handling the game for CBS, while Alex Faust will do play-by-play and former Iowa standout Jess Settles will be the analyst for FS1.
• 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.
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2020-21 Rams Quick Hits
• Colorado State is under the direction of third-year head coach Niko Medved, who took over the helm of the Rams' program in 2018-19. In his eighth season as a head coach, Medved has a 117-121 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 2020-21 season marks the 117th in the history of the Colorado State men's basketball program. The Rams are 1,288-1,286 (.500) in 2,574 games all-time.
• CSU concluded the 2019-20 season in the Mountain West Tournament first round and finished the year with an 20-12 overall record, including 11-7 in MW play, an eight-game improvement over 2018-19.
• The Rams earned their eighth invitation for postseason play in the last 11 years, though postseason events were eventually cancelled due to the CoVID-19 virus worldwide pandemic.
• CSU returns four starters and seven letterwinners to this year's squad along with five newcomers to Division I action.
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• 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 third season at CSU as head coach with a 38-34 mark and has an 117-121 overall record is in his eighth season as a head coach.
• UNLV Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger (Wisconsin-Whitewater, '01) is in his second season at UNLV with an 18-19 mark and fourth as a head coach overall with an 88-52 record.
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A Familiar Face In Fort Collins
• While he may be in just his third 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.
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Don't We Know You?
• Current UNLV assistant coach Demarlo Slocum may look familiar to Ram fans, as he spent four years as an assistant coach at CSU from 2007-11.
• During that time, he was an assistant coach along with Niko Medved and current Utah State head coach Craig Smith, working for then-head coach Tim Miles.
• The group took CSU from 7-25 and 0-16 in the Mountain West their first year to back-to-back posteason bids in 2009-10 (CBI) and 2010-11 (NIT) before Slocum departed for Utah.
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A Quick Look at UNLV
• Returning just three starters and four letterwinners from last season's 17-15 squad that tied for second in the regular season with a 12-6 mark, the Runnin' Rebels, who have 10 newcomers to playing for UNLV this season, were picked fourth the Mountain West in the league's preseason poll.
• Junior guard Bryce Hamilton, senior forward Mbacke Diong and junior guard Marvin Coleman are the returners for this UNLV squad that will see its first action since Dec. 5 due to CoVID. A Preseason All-MW pick, Hamilton is the undoubted leader of the team, as he paces them in minutes, points, rebounds, assists and free throw percentage.
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History Versus UNLV
• Throughout the years, UNLV has controlled this series, leading overall 41-17, but just 30-16 in conference action.
• Last season, the two teams split the season series, with each getting a solid victory on its home court. (box scores on pages 19-20).
• CSU leader Niko Medved has an 1-3 record against UNLV as a head coach.
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UNLV - 17-41
Conference: 16-30
Home: 12-16 / Away: 5-24 / Neutral: 0-1
(complete list on page 21 with returner stats)
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Medved vs. UNLV -- 1-3 (1-3 at CSU)
Home: 1-1 / Away: 0-2
    Date            School    Loc.         W/L   Score
*   1/2/2019      Colo. St.     A             L      76-78
*   3/9/2019     Colo. St.     H             L     60-65
*   2/1/2020     Colo. St.     H            W     95-77
*   2/20/2020  Colo. St.     A             L     56-80
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Mountain West Record
• Colorado State - a charter member of the Mountain West - is now 143-188 (.430) in regular-season action against MW foes since the formation of the league in 1999-2000.
CSU vs. Mountain West Conference
School                 Overall    Home     Away   Neut.
Air Force                82-33      44-11      34-18     4-4
Boise State              11-14        8-4        2-9       1-1
Fresno State           22-18       17-3       3-13      2-2
Nevada                  10-15        6-4        4-10      0-1
New Mexico            48-78      35-26     12-50     1-2
San Diego State       42-46      26-14      14-28     2-4
San Jose State         20-0        9-0        9-0      2-0
UNLVÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 17-41Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12-16Â Â Â Â Â Â 5-24Â Â Â Â Â Â 0-1
Utah State              39-58     28-20      11-36     0-2
Wyoming               96-137     54-56     40-76    3-5
Totals                 386-440  238-154  133-264 15-22
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 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 past season, the Rams had nine non-conference wins, surpassing last year's total of five. The squad has also won 20 games overall, surpassing last year's total of 12.
• The five-game win streak during the 2020-21 season was the longest for CSU since the Rams won seven straight during 2016-17.
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The Improvement Under Medved
Year           School                 Overall  Conf     Post
2012-13Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Furman**Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6-24Â Â Â Â 3-15
2013-14       Furman                  9-21    3-13       Â
2014-15       Furman                  11-22    5-13       Â
2015-16       Furman                  19-16    11-7        $
2016-17       Furman                  23-11    14-4       $
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2016-17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Drake**Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7-24Â Â Â Â 5-13
2017-18       Drake                    17-17    10-8       $
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2017-18Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Colorado State**Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11-21Â Â Â Â 4-14
2018-19       Colorado State        12-20    7-11
2019-20      Colorado State        20-12    11-7       $*
** Seasons prior to Medved taking over program
$ Postseason action for the program (2020 postseason canceled due to CoVID-19)
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Medved vs. 2020-21 Opponents
School                 Overall    Home     Away   Neut.
Air Force                 4-0         2-0        2-0        -
Boise State               1-3          0-1         1-1       0-1
CSU Pueblo              1-0          1-0          -         -
Fresno State             5-1         4-0         1-1        -
Nevada                    1-3          1-1         0-2        -
New Mexico              2-1         2-0         0-1        -
Northern Arizona       1-0          1-0          -         -
Saint Mary's (CA)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 0-1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 0-1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -
Santa Clara               1-0           -          1-0        -
San Diego State         1-4         0-2         1-2        -
San Jose State          3-0         1-0         2-0        -
UNLVÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1-3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1-1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 0-2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -
Utah State                0-4         0-2        0-2        -
Wyoming                 3-3         2-0         1-2       0-1
TOTALSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 24-23Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 15-7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9-14Â Â Â Â Â 0-2
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CSU vs. 2020-21 Opponents
School                 Overall    Home     Away   Neut.
Air Force                82-33      44-11      34-18     4-4
Boise State              11-14        8-4        2-9       1-1
CSU Pueblo              7-0         7-0          -         -
Fresno State           22-18       17-3       3-13      2-2
Nevada                  10-15        6-4        4-10      0-1
New Mexico            48-78      35-26     12-50     1-2
Northern Arizona       3-2         3-0         0-1       0-1
Saint Mary's (CA)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2-2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1-1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1-1
Santa Clara               1-1           -          1-0       0-1
San Diego State       42-46      26-14      14-28     2-4
San Jose State         20-0        9-0        9-0      2-0
UNLVÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 17-41Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12-16Â Â Â Â Â Â 5-24Â Â Â Â Â Â 0-1
Utah State              39-58     28-20      11-36     0-2
Wyoming               96-136     53-56     40-76    3-4
TOTALSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 400-444Â Â 248-154Â Â 136-266Â 16-24
The Historic Comeback at SDSU
• CSU's rally from 26 points down at #23 San Diego State on Jan. 2 made history in several ways.
• It is the largest comeback in both school and Mountain West history. The previous largest comeback in CSU history occurred under Medved last season, as the Rams rallied from 19 down at Wyoming to earn a 77-70 win on Feb. 15, 2020.
• It is the largest comeback win in Division I men's basketball this season and one of just five road comebacks of 26 points or more in a game between Division I opponents over the past 10 seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
• This was the first win over a ranked opponent since Feb. 29, 2012, a 66-59 win over #17 UNLV at Moby Arena.
• This was the first road win over a ranked opponent since Jan. 5, 1973, a 93-86 win at #15 BYU.
• CSU had lost 28 straight games on the road against ranked teams before the win.
• CSU moved to 3-0 in Mountain West play for the first time in the 22-year history of the league.
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Latest Opening In A LOOOONG Time
• The team was previously scheduled to start the 2020-21 season with the rest of the nation on Nov. 25, but due to CoVID-19, the program was forced to cancel and postpone games until the Dec. 12 game against CSU Pueblo.
• This was the latest start for the program since the 1942-43 season during World War II when CSU did not start until Jan. 8, 1943 with a 35-33 loss at Northern Colorado.
• The most recent home opener later on the calendar than the CSU Pueblo game on Dec. 12 was the following day on Jan. 9, 1943 at Glenn Morris Field House, where the Rams avenged their loss with a 29-22 win on Jan. 9.
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Non-Conference Winning Record in '19-20 & '20-21
• Unless CSU adds two more non-conference games, the Rams have secured a winning non-conference record this year at 3-1 with one game remaining against Northern Colorado.
• Last season with the victory over South Dakota State Dec. 10, 2019, the Rams secured a winning non-conference record.
• The nine non-conference wins was the most since CSU posted a school-best a 13-0 mark in 2014-15.
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2020 All-Mountain West Honorees
• Nico Carvacho - Second Team All-MW (coaches & media)
• Isaiah Stevens - MW Freshman of the Year (coaches & media), Third Team All-MW (coaches), Honorable Mention All-MW (media)
• David Roddy - Honorable Mention All-MW (media)
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Wrapping Up the '19-20 Season
• The win gave CSU an overall 20-win season for just the fifth time in its 21-year membership in the Mountain West and 10th since 1954-55.
• The 11 Mountain West wins tied for the third-most wins in MW play for CSU.
• This was just the ninth time in school history that CSU has won 11 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).
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Roster Size... But Inexperienced
• The Rams started the 2020-21 year with 12 eligible players on the roster for the second straight season. CSU had 14 players available to start the 2018-19 season but only 11 in 2017-18.
• Of those 12 this season, eight were a part of the program last season with seven seeing action.
• Returners for the Rams combined for 10 seasons of NCAA Division I experience, starting the year.
• However that did not hamper the Rams in 2019-20, as the regular rotation consisted 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       996 (42.5)    593 (25.3)    7 (0.3)    745 (31.8)
> Rebounds   378 (34.5)     162 (14.8)        0       489 (44.7)
> Assists       222 (46.0)      94 (19.5)     1 (0.3)     166 (34.4)
> Steals         55 (26.7)      63 (30.6)     1 (0.5)     87 (42.2)
> Blocks        30 (50.0)       3 (5.0)         0       27 (45.0)
> Minutes     2374 (37.7)    1749 (27.8)   14 (0.2)   2154 (34.2)
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Stevens Preseason All-MW
• Sophomore Isaiah Stevens was selected to the Preseason All-Mountain West squad.
• The second-ever league Freshman of the Year for the Rams, Stevens made an immediate impact on the program in 2019-20, starting all 32 games and leading the team in scoring at 13.3 points per game, which ranks 13th in the league.
• He also was third in the Mountain West at 4.5 assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.18. He played more minutes than any other Ram and scored in double figures in 24 games last season.
• He hit a pair of game winners in the final seconds last year in wins over Loyola Chicago and Nevada. The Allen, Texas product also led the Rams with 26 points and a school record-tying 12 assists in the triple-overtime win at Tulsa Dec. 21.
• He was the first CSU freshman ever to earn Mountain West Player of the Week on Feb. 3 after leading CSU to a pair of wins over Nevada and UNLV when he averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in those contests.
• He set a new CSU freshman assists record of 144, which is fifth on the CSU single-season chart and is a Mountain West record for a freshman.
• He also broke the record for Mountain West only games with 84 last year, surpassing Sam Merrill (Utah State) with 71 in 2016-17.
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Moby Arena Home Court Advantage
• CSU has a record of 567-239 (.704) record all-time at Moby Arena.
• With the win over Nevada Jan. 29, CSU guaranteed a better than .500 home record in 2019-20.
• Last year's 12-4 mark had to do with some significant differences in major categories in favor of the Rams, and this year's are following some similarities, resulting in a 4-0 mark at this point in the year.
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2019-20      PPG   FG%  Reb    PF    Ast     TO   Stl
Colorado St. 79.7   50.7  38.3   224   288    186   110
Opponents   70.2   43.8  35.7   306   197    213   90
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2020-21      PPG   FG%  Reb    PF    Ast     TO   Stl
Colorado St. 84.0   51.9   34.8    68     72     49    27
Opponents  60.2   38.2  32.5    83     40     63    20
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Defense Setting A Tone Early
• CSU has showed an improved defensive effort early and shows clearly in the stats.
• The Rams are ranked in the top 70 nationally in scoring defense, field goal defense and three-point field goal defense.
• CSU held opponents under 60 points for five consecutive games. The last time CSU held opponents each under 60 points that many consecutive games was in 2012-13 (NCAA Tournament bid and win over Missouri season), where they held six straight opponents under 60.
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National Rankings (Team/Players)
(through Jan. 4, 2020)
Team (Top 70 of 350 Division I teams)
Scoring Defense                                  62.0       30th
Personal Fouls Per Game                       15.4        33rd
Free Throw Percentage                         75.8       37th
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage           37.4       57th
Field-Goal Percentage Defense              40.0       69th
Three-Point FG Percentage Defense        29.7       70th
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Players (top 100 nationally)
Isaiah Stevens
Free Throw Percentage                         95.8       13th
Assists Per Game                                 6.6         18th
Assist-to-Turnover Radio                        2.52       68th
Minutes Per Game                                34:39     94th
David Roddy
Defensive Rebounds Per Game               7.75        15th
Double-Doubles                                  4            15th
Rebounds Per Game                             9.2        39th
Free Throws Made                               35         98th
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CSU Scheduled To Appear On National Television 14 Times
• CSU will appear on national television broadcasts 14 times, the Mountain West and TV partners CBS Sports Network and FOX Sports announced.
 •                                                          The schedule includes shifts of eight games along with the last weekend's series at defending conference champion San Diego State.
• Colorado State will have six series and two individual games televised nationally, with the next the UNLV series on Jan. 7 (CBS Sports Network) and Jan. 9 (FS1). Of the six series on the schedule, five are splits between CBS/CBS Sports Network and FS1.
• The four series altered to accommodate broadcasts are at Utah State (Jan. 19 and 21), Boise State (Jan. 27 and 29), New Mexico (Feb. 9 and 11) and at Nevada (Feb. 20 and 22). Individual games on a broadcast are the Border War at Wyoming on Sat., Feb. 6 (CBS Sports Network) and the home finale against Air Force on March 1 (CBS Sports Network).
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CBS (1)
Sat., Jan. 2 - at San Diego State                   W, 70-67
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CBS Sports Network (7)
Thu., Jan. 7 - UNLV
Tue., Jan. 19 - at Utah State
Wed., Jan. 27 - Boise State
Sat., Feb. 6 - at Wyoming
Thu., Feb. 11 - New Mexico
Mon., Feb. 22 - at Nevada
Mon., March 1 -Â Air Force
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FS1 (6)
Mon., Jan. 4 - at San Diego State                  L, 65-78
Sat., Jan. 9 - UNLV
Thu., Jan. 21 - at Utah State
Fri., Jan. 29 - Boise State
Tue., Feb. 9 - New Mexico
Sat., Feb. 20 - at Nevada
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Double-Doubles
• The Rams have two players that have combined for eight double-doubles in their young careers, including two via points-assists, as the program total is now 648 since 1965-66.
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David Roddy                                          6
17 pts, 11 reb; vs Tulsa, 12/21/19
19 pts, 13 reb; WYOMING, 1/4/20
25 pts, 12 reb; CSU PUEBLO, 12/12/20
19 pts, 13 reb; FRESNO STATE, 12/28/20
17 pts, 11 reb; FRESNO STATE, 12/30/20
15 pts, 12 reb; at San Diego State, 1/2/21
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Isaiah Stevens                                      2
26 pts, 12 ast; vs Tulsa, 12/21/19
11 pts, 10 ast; at San Diego State, 1/4/21
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Points/Assists Double-Double Career Leaders
(17 total in history)
1.        Ryan Yoder (1990-94)                 6
2.       Isaiah Stevens (2019-pres.)         2
         Fred Anzures (1973-77)                2
         Rudy Carey (1970-74)                  2
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DOUBLE-DOUBLE RANKINGS TOTAL
(105 Players since 1965-66)
1.        Nico Carvacho (2015-20)             49
2.       Mike Childress (1969-71)              35
3.       Emmanuel Omogbo (2016-18)       28
4.       Jason Smith (2004-07)                24
5.       Tim Hall (1971-75)                       23
20.     Archie Weems (1968-70)              10
t-21.    three players with                      9
t-24.   five players with                        8
t-30.   six players with                         7
t-35.   David Roddy (2019-pres.)           6
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Moving On Up
• Juniors Kendle Moore and Adam Thistlewood are looked at to help lead this team as two of the four returning starters.
• In 2019-20, Thistlewood was fourth on the team at 10.2 points and fifth at 3.2 rebounds per game, while Moore was fifth at 9.0 points a contest and led with 42 steals. Moore led the Rams at 43.5 percent from the three-point line, while Thistlewood was third at 39.3 as each connected 60 and 57 times, respectively, beyond the arc.
• For their careers, the third-year roommates have played in a combined 140 of a possible 144 games (131 starts) and contributed 18.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and better than 39 percent from the three-point arc as a duo.
• Both are on the verge of cracking the career top 20 for CSU in three-pointers as Thistlewood is tied for 18th at 123 and Moore has 106. David Turcotte (1984-88) is 20th at 121.
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Career 3-Pointers List
14.      130    Lynn Tryon          (115 Games)    1988-92
         130    Stephan Gilling     (61 Games)    2005-07
16.      125    Jon Rakiecki        (91 Games)    2000-05
17.      124    Adam Nigon        (122 Games)    2007-11
18.      123    Ryan Yoder         (101 Games)    1990-94
         123    Adam Thistlewood (69 games)  2019-pres.
19.      121     David Turcotte     (123 Games)   1984-88
20.     117     Jameel Mahmud   (82 Games)    1994-98
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In the 2020-21 Season
• The pair both scored in double figures in the opener against CSU Pueblo, as Thsitlewood had 16 points, including three triples and 5-of-6 at the free throw line, while Moore tallied 13 points, hitting all six of his field goal attempts and adding three assists and two steals.
• Against Northern Arizona, Moore had 12 points, four rebounds and four steals, while Thistlewood chipped in nine points and four rebounds.
• In the victory at Santa Clara, Moore had 12 points and four rebounds, while Thistlewood recorded 10 points and a season-best eight rebounds.      Â
• Moore currently ranks third in scoring for CSU at 10.1 points per game while first in field goal percentage (52.9) and second in three-point percentage (41.4).
• Thistlewood is fourth at 9.0 points per game and has hit a team-high 13 three-pointers.
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Sophomore Class Continuing Impact
• The sophomore class of guards Isaiah Stevens and John Tonje, forward David Roddy and center Dischon Thomas are showing the growth after their first year of collegiate basketball.
• Roddy paces the Rams in scoring at 15.9 points per game and rebounding at 9.3 per contest, while Stevens is second at 13.5 points and tops at 6.6 assists per game.
• Tonje is ffith at 7.8 points per game, with Thomas averaging 3.3 points and 3.1 boards a contest.
• Against Northern Arizona Dec. 14, Stevens had a game-high 23 points and nine assists, while Roddy added 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Tonje chipped in seven points and two rebounds off the bench.
• In the win at Santa Clara Dec. 22, the group combined or 45 points and 22 rebounds, with Roddy leading with 16 points and Tonje recording a career-high with 12 off the bench.
• Roddy recorded double-doubles in each of the games against Fresno State, going for 19 points and a career high-tying 13 rebounds in the opener and following it up with 17 points and 11 boards in the second victory.
• The group made a major impact on the historic comeback win over then-No. 23 San Diego State Jan. 2, combining for 41 points, 19 rebounds and 12 assists. Tonje capped off the win by hitting the game-winning four-point play with a triple from the left corner with 12.3 seconds left and converting the free throw from the foul to put the Rams ahead for good.
• Roddy earned his first Mountain West Player of the Week on Jan. 5 for his efforts against Fresno State and at San Diego State.
In 2019-20
• Last season, head coach Niko Medved played the four freshmen in 31 of the 32 contests in 2019-20, with three playing in all 32.
• Stevens started all 32 games, while Roddy started the final 19 games of the season.
• Thomas and Tonje both played at least 31 contests and contributed off the bench.
• Stevens led the team in scoring at 13.3 points per game, shooting 46.7 percent from the floor, 38.0 from the arc and 81.6 percent from the free throw line. He reached at least 10 points in 24 of the 32 games and had at least four assists in 20 of them, averaging 4.6 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 had 144 assists on the year, which is fifth on the CSU single-season chart (Milt Palacio in 4th with 147).
• Roddy was third at 11.4 points per game and second at 5.6 rebounds a contest, as the freshman scored in double figures in 22 of the last 28 games and 23 total contests last season.
• In conference action only, the pair ranked among the top 20 scorers in the Mountain West, with Stevens in 14th with 13.33 points per game and Roddy 17th with 12.94. Roddy was also 13th in rebounding at 6.11 boards per MW game, while Stevens is third in assists at 4.67 per contest. The duo earned honorablemention All-MW from the media, Stevens Third Team All-MW by the coaches and also MW Freshman of the Year by both the coaches and media.
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Coors Light Coaches' Show Is Back
• The Coors Light Basketball Coaches' Show, hosted by "Voice of the Rams" Brian Roth, will make its 2020 debut on Wed. Dec. 16, from 7-8 p.m., broadcast live from the Lucky Joe's Studio at Moby Arena. Due to the global pandemic, fans are not permitted at the show this year.
• The show will air on the Colorado State Sports Network powered by Canvas Credit Union, including the flagship home of the Colorado State Rams, Power 102.9 FM, in Northern Colorado and on Mile High Sports 1430 AM in the Denver Metro area.
• The one-hour weekly show provides an inside look at the Rams' men's and women's program from men's head coach Niko Medved and women's head coach Ryun Williams, including previews of the upcoming action for each squad. The show will run at the same time, with the date varying based on coach availability due to game schedules. Fans also may submit questions on social media via the Twitter account @CSURamsRadio.
• Dates are subject to change based on changes in the basketball schedule.
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Coors Light Basketball Coaches' Show Schedule:
Jan. 5 (Tue.), 11, 18 and 25 (Mondays)
Feb. 1 (Mon.), 8 (Mon.), 15 (Mon.) and 24 (Wed.)
Tue. or Wed., March 2 or 3 (based on game schedules)
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Carvacho Leaves Legacy at CSU
• Graduated center Nico Carvacho showed his increased comfort level on the floor, growing extensively over his four years to leave his mark on the record book.
• A three-time All-Mountain West selection, Carvacho led the nation in rebounding in 2018-19 at 12.9 rebounds per game while recording a single-season school-record 22 double-doubles.
• 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 1295, passing previous leader Pat Durham (1985-89) at 851.
• He is the first player in league history with 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds and is the leader in Mountain West-only double-doubles with 34.
• Below are his career rankings for both CSU and the Mountain West, showing the legacy he leaves behind.
CSU Career Ranks
Points                           7th         1,414
Field Goals Made             7th         553
Field Goal Percentage       13th        .558               Â
Rebounds                      1st          1,295
Rebounding Average        3rd         9.8
Defensive Rebounds        1st          860
Offensive Rebounds         1st          435
Blocked Shots                 11th        79
Games Played                 1st          132
Games Started                2nd        129
Minutes                         3rd         3,648
Double-Doubles              1st          49
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Mountain West Career Rankings
Rebounds                      1st          1,295
Rebounds (MW gms only)  1st          771
Double-Doubles              1st          49
Double-Doubles (MW)       1st          34
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NCAA Overall Career Rebound Leaders since 1985-86
20.   Nico Carvacho                                          1295
Players Passed In His Final Season
       Alonzo Mourning (Georgetown)                    1032
       Draymond Green (Michigan State)                 1096
       Christian Laettner (Duke)                             1149
       Paul Millsap (La. Tech/Denver Nuggets)           1172
       Dale Davis (Clemson)                                  1216
       Shaquille O'Neal (LSU)                                 1217
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Rams Playing Professionally
• J.J. Avila ('15) - Fuerza Regia Monterrey (Mexico) - league champions
• Daniel Bejarano ('15) - Fuerza Regia Monterrey (Mexico) - league champions
• Che Bob ('18) - Elitzur Ironi Netanya (Israel)
• Nico Carvacho ('20) - Rilski (Bulgaria)
• Gian Clavell ('17) - Avtodor Saratov (Russia)
• John Gillon ('17) - Darussafaka (Turkey)
• Colton Iverson ('13) - New Zealand Breakers (Australia)
• Stanton Kidd ('15) - OGM Orman (Turkey)
• Jon Octeus ('15) - Shiga Lakestars (Japan)
• Andy Ogide ('11) - Allianz Pazienza Cestistica San Severo (Italy)
• Emmanuel Omogbo ('17) - Levitec Huesca (Spain)
• J.D. Paige ('19) - Prizreni (Kosovo Superliga)
• Gerson Santo ('14) - Sao Paulo FC (Brazil)
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Looking Ahead
• The Rams return go back on the road to take on San Jose State in Phoenix, Ariz., Jan. 14 & 16.
• The games will be streamed on the MW Network.
• The audio will be on the Colorado State Sports Radio Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Brian Roth 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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• The Rams will return home to host UNLV in the Runnin' Rebels first Mountain West action of the year, Jan. 7 and 9, 2021 in Moby Arena.
• Tip time for the nationally-televised pair of games on Thursday is 6 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Network with the finale on Saturday at 2 p.m. on FS1. Dave Ryan and former college head coach Bob Wenzel are handling the game for CBS, while Alex Faust will do play-by-play and former Iowa standout Jess Settles will be the analyst for FS1.
• 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.
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2020-21 Rams Quick Hits
• Colorado State is under the direction of third-year head coach Niko Medved, who took over the helm of the Rams' program in 2018-19. In his eighth season as a head coach, Medved has a 117-121 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 2020-21 season marks the 117th in the history of the Colorado State men's basketball program. The Rams are 1,288-1,286 (.500) in 2,574 games all-time.
• CSU concluded the 2019-20 season in the Mountain West Tournament first round and finished the year with an 20-12 overall record, including 11-7 in MW play, an eight-game improvement over 2018-19.
• The Rams earned their eighth invitation for postseason play in the last 11 years, though postseason events were eventually cancelled due to the CoVID-19 virus worldwide pandemic.
• CSU returns four starters and seven letterwinners to this year's squad along with five newcomers to Division I action.
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• 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 third season at CSU as head coach with a 38-34 mark and has an 117-121 overall record is in his eighth season as a head coach.
• UNLV Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger (Wisconsin-Whitewater, '01) is in his second season at UNLV with an 18-19 mark and fourth as a head coach overall with an 88-52 record.
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A Familiar Face In Fort Collins
• While he may be in just his third 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.
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Don't We Know You?
• Current UNLV assistant coach Demarlo Slocum may look familiar to Ram fans, as he spent four years as an assistant coach at CSU from 2007-11.
• During that time, he was an assistant coach along with Niko Medved and current Utah State head coach Craig Smith, working for then-head coach Tim Miles.
• The group took CSU from 7-25 and 0-16 in the Mountain West their first year to back-to-back posteason bids in 2009-10 (CBI) and 2010-11 (NIT) before Slocum departed for Utah.
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A Quick Look at UNLV
• Returning just three starters and four letterwinners from last season's 17-15 squad that tied for second in the regular season with a 12-6 mark, the Runnin' Rebels, who have 10 newcomers to playing for UNLV this season, were picked fourth the Mountain West in the league's preseason poll.
• Junior guard Bryce Hamilton, senior forward Mbacke Diong and junior guard Marvin Coleman are the returners for this UNLV squad that will see its first action since Dec. 5 due to CoVID. A Preseason All-MW pick, Hamilton is the undoubted leader of the team, as he paces them in minutes, points, rebounds, assists and free throw percentage.
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History Versus UNLV
• Throughout the years, UNLV has controlled this series, leading overall 41-17, but just 30-16 in conference action.
• Last season, the two teams split the season series, with each getting a solid victory on its home court. (box scores on pages 19-20).
• CSU leader Niko Medved has an 1-3 record against UNLV as a head coach.
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UNLV - 17-41
Conference: 16-30
Home: 12-16 / Away: 5-24 / Neutral: 0-1
(complete list on page 21 with returner stats)
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Medved vs. UNLV -- 1-3 (1-3 at CSU)
Home: 1-1 / Away: 0-2
    Date            School    Loc.         W/L   Score
*   1/2/2019      Colo. St.     A             L      76-78
*   3/9/2019     Colo. St.     H             L     60-65
*   2/1/2020     Colo. St.     H            W     95-77
*   2/20/2020  Colo. St.     A             L     56-80
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Mountain West Record
• Colorado State - a charter member of the Mountain West - is now 143-188 (.430) in regular-season action against MW foes since the formation of the league in 1999-2000.
CSU vs. Mountain West Conference
School                 Overall    Home     Away   Neut.
Air Force                82-33      44-11      34-18     4-4
Boise State              11-14        8-4        2-9       1-1
Fresno State           22-18       17-3       3-13      2-2
Nevada                  10-15        6-4        4-10      0-1
New Mexico            48-78      35-26     12-50     1-2
San Diego State       42-46      26-14      14-28     2-4
San Jose State         20-0        9-0        9-0      2-0
UNLVÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 17-41Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12-16Â Â Â Â Â Â 5-24Â Â Â Â Â Â 0-1
Utah State              39-58     28-20      11-36     0-2
Wyoming               96-137     54-56     40-76    3-5
Totals                 386-440  238-154  133-264 15-22
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 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 past season, the Rams had nine non-conference wins, surpassing last year's total of five. The squad has also won 20 games overall, surpassing last year's total of 12.
• The five-game win streak during the 2020-21 season was the longest for CSU since the Rams won seven straight during 2016-17.
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The Improvement Under Medved
Year           School                 Overall  Conf     Post
2012-13Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Furman**Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6-24Â Â Â Â 3-15
2013-14       Furman                  9-21    3-13       Â
2014-15       Furman                  11-22    5-13       Â
2015-16       Furman                  19-16    11-7        $
2016-17       Furman                  23-11    14-4       $
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2016-17Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Drake**Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7-24Â Â Â Â 5-13
2017-18       Drake                    17-17    10-8       $
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2017-18Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Colorado State**Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11-21Â Â Â Â 4-14
2018-19       Colorado State        12-20    7-11
2019-20      Colorado State        20-12    11-7       $*
** Seasons prior to Medved taking over program
$ Postseason action for the program (2020 postseason canceled due to CoVID-19)
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Medved vs. 2020-21 Opponents
School                 Overall    Home     Away   Neut.
Air Force                 4-0         2-0        2-0        -
Boise State               1-3          0-1         1-1       0-1
CSU Pueblo              1-0          1-0          -         -
Fresno State             5-1         4-0         1-1        -
Nevada                    1-3          1-1         0-2        -
New Mexico              2-1         2-0         0-1        -
Northern Arizona       1-0          1-0          -         -
Saint Mary's (CA)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 0-1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 0-1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -
Santa Clara               1-0           -          1-0        -
San Diego State         1-4         0-2         1-2        -
San Jose State          3-0         1-0         2-0        -
UNLVÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1-3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1-1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 0-2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -
Utah State                0-4         0-2        0-2        -
Wyoming                 3-3         2-0         1-2       0-1
TOTALSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 24-23Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 15-7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 9-14Â Â Â Â Â 0-2
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CSU vs. 2020-21 Opponents
School                 Overall    Home     Away   Neut.
Air Force                82-33      44-11      34-18     4-4
Boise State              11-14        8-4        2-9       1-1
CSU Pueblo              7-0         7-0          -         -
Fresno State           22-18       17-3       3-13      2-2
Nevada                  10-15        6-4        4-10      0-1
New Mexico            48-78      35-26     12-50     1-2
Northern Arizona       3-2         3-0         0-1       0-1
Saint Mary's (CA)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2-2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1-1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1-1
Santa Clara               1-1           -          1-0       0-1
San Diego State       42-46      26-14      14-28     2-4
San Jose State         20-0        9-0        9-0      2-0
UNLVÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 17-41Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12-16Â Â Â Â Â Â 5-24Â Â Â Â Â Â 0-1
Utah State              39-58     28-20      11-36     0-2
Wyoming               96-136     53-56     40-76    3-4
TOTALSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 400-444Â Â 248-154Â Â 136-266Â 16-24
The Historic Comeback at SDSU
• CSU's rally from 26 points down at #23 San Diego State on Jan. 2 made history in several ways.
• It is the largest comeback in both school and Mountain West history. The previous largest comeback in CSU history occurred under Medved last season, as the Rams rallied from 19 down at Wyoming to earn a 77-70 win on Feb. 15, 2020.
• It is the largest comeback win in Division I men's basketball this season and one of just five road comebacks of 26 points or more in a game between Division I opponents over the past 10 seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
• This was the first win over a ranked opponent since Feb. 29, 2012, a 66-59 win over #17 UNLV at Moby Arena.
• This was the first road win over a ranked opponent since Jan. 5, 1973, a 93-86 win at #15 BYU.
• CSU had lost 28 straight games on the road against ranked teams before the win.
• CSU moved to 3-0 in Mountain West play for the first time in the 22-year history of the league.
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Latest Opening In A LOOOONG Time
• The team was previously scheduled to start the 2020-21 season with the rest of the nation on Nov. 25, but due to CoVID-19, the program was forced to cancel and postpone games until the Dec. 12 game against CSU Pueblo.
• This was the latest start for the program since the 1942-43 season during World War II when CSU did not start until Jan. 8, 1943 with a 35-33 loss at Northern Colorado.
• The most recent home opener later on the calendar than the CSU Pueblo game on Dec. 12 was the following day on Jan. 9, 1943 at Glenn Morris Field House, where the Rams avenged their loss with a 29-22 win on Jan. 9.
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Non-Conference Winning Record in '19-20 & '20-21
• Unless CSU adds two more non-conference games, the Rams have secured a winning non-conference record this year at 3-1 with one game remaining against Northern Colorado.
• Last season with the victory over South Dakota State Dec. 10, 2019, the Rams secured a winning non-conference record.
• The nine non-conference wins was the most since CSU posted a school-best a 13-0 mark in 2014-15.
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2020 All-Mountain West Honorees
• Nico Carvacho - Second Team All-MW (coaches & media)
• Isaiah Stevens - MW Freshman of the Year (coaches & media), Third Team All-MW (coaches), Honorable Mention All-MW (media)
• David Roddy - Honorable Mention All-MW (media)
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Wrapping Up the '19-20 Season
• The win gave CSU an overall 20-win season for just the fifth time in its 21-year membership in the Mountain West and 10th since 1954-55.
• The 11 Mountain West wins tied for the third-most wins in MW play for CSU.
• This was just the ninth time in school history that CSU has won 11 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).
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Roster Size... But Inexperienced
• The Rams started the 2020-21 year with 12 eligible players on the roster for the second straight season. CSU had 14 players available to start the 2018-19 season but only 11 in 2017-18.
• Of those 12 this season, eight were a part of the program last season with seven seeing action.
• Returners for the Rams combined for 10 seasons of NCAA Division I experience, starting the year.
• However that did not hamper the Rams in 2019-20, as the regular rotation consisted 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       996 (42.5)    593 (25.3)    7 (0.3)    745 (31.8)
> Rebounds   378 (34.5)     162 (14.8)        0       489 (44.7)
> Assists       222 (46.0)      94 (19.5)     1 (0.3)     166 (34.4)
> Steals         55 (26.7)      63 (30.6)     1 (0.5)     87 (42.2)
> Blocks        30 (50.0)       3 (5.0)         0       27 (45.0)
> Minutes     2374 (37.7)    1749 (27.8)   14 (0.2)   2154 (34.2)
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Stevens Preseason All-MW
• Sophomore Isaiah Stevens was selected to the Preseason All-Mountain West squad.
• The second-ever league Freshman of the Year for the Rams, Stevens made an immediate impact on the program in 2019-20, starting all 32 games and leading the team in scoring at 13.3 points per game, which ranks 13th in the league.
• He also was third in the Mountain West at 4.5 assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.18. He played more minutes than any other Ram and scored in double figures in 24 games last season.
• He hit a pair of game winners in the final seconds last year in wins over Loyola Chicago and Nevada. The Allen, Texas product also led the Rams with 26 points and a school record-tying 12 assists in the triple-overtime win at Tulsa Dec. 21.
• He was the first CSU freshman ever to earn Mountain West Player of the Week on Feb. 3 after leading CSU to a pair of wins over Nevada and UNLV when he averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in those contests.
• He set a new CSU freshman assists record of 144, which is fifth on the CSU single-season chart and is a Mountain West record for a freshman.
• He also broke the record for Mountain West only games with 84 last year, surpassing Sam Merrill (Utah State) with 71 in 2016-17.
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Moby Arena Home Court Advantage
• CSU has a record of 567-239 (.704) record all-time at Moby Arena.
• With the win over Nevada Jan. 29, CSU guaranteed a better than .500 home record in 2019-20.
• Last year's 12-4 mark had to do with some significant differences in major categories in favor of the Rams, and this year's are following some similarities, resulting in a 4-0 mark at this point in the year.
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2019-20      PPG   FG%  Reb    PF    Ast     TO   Stl
Colorado St. 79.7   50.7  38.3   224   288    186   110
Opponents   70.2   43.8  35.7   306   197    213   90
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2020-21      PPG   FG%  Reb    PF    Ast     TO   Stl
Colorado St. 84.0   51.9   34.8    68     72     49    27
Opponents  60.2   38.2  32.5    83     40     63    20
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Defense Setting A Tone Early
• CSU has showed an improved defensive effort early and shows clearly in the stats.
• The Rams are ranked in the top 70 nationally in scoring defense, field goal defense and three-point field goal defense.
• CSU held opponents under 60 points for five consecutive games. The last time CSU held opponents each under 60 points that many consecutive games was in 2012-13 (NCAA Tournament bid and win over Missouri season), where they held six straight opponents under 60.
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National Rankings (Team/Players)
(through Jan. 4, 2020)
Team (Top 70 of 350 Division I teams)
Scoring Defense                                  62.0       30th
Personal Fouls Per Game                       15.4        33rd
Free Throw Percentage                         75.8       37th
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage           37.4       57th
Field-Goal Percentage Defense              40.0       69th
Three-Point FG Percentage Defense        29.7       70th
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Players (top 100 nationally)
Isaiah Stevens
Free Throw Percentage                         95.8       13th
Assists Per Game                                 6.6         18th
Assist-to-Turnover Radio                        2.52       68th
Minutes Per Game                                34:39     94th
David Roddy
Defensive Rebounds Per Game               7.75        15th
Double-Doubles                                  4            15th
Rebounds Per Game                             9.2        39th
Free Throws Made                               35         98th
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CSU Scheduled To Appear On National Television 14 Times
• CSU will appear on national television broadcasts 14 times, the Mountain West and TV partners CBS Sports Network and FOX Sports announced.
 •                                                          The schedule includes shifts of eight games along with the last weekend's series at defending conference champion San Diego State.
• Colorado State will have six series and two individual games televised nationally, with the next the UNLV series on Jan. 7 (CBS Sports Network) and Jan. 9 (FS1). Of the six series on the schedule, five are splits between CBS/CBS Sports Network and FS1.
• The four series altered to accommodate broadcasts are at Utah State (Jan. 19 and 21), Boise State (Jan. 27 and 29), New Mexico (Feb. 9 and 11) and at Nevada (Feb. 20 and 22). Individual games on a broadcast are the Border War at Wyoming on Sat., Feb. 6 (CBS Sports Network) and the home finale against Air Force on March 1 (CBS Sports Network).
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CBS (1)
Sat., Jan. 2 - at San Diego State                   W, 70-67
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CBS Sports Network (7)
Thu., Jan. 7 - UNLV
Tue., Jan. 19 - at Utah State
Wed., Jan. 27 - Boise State
Sat., Feb. 6 - at Wyoming
Thu., Feb. 11 - New Mexico
Mon., Feb. 22 - at Nevada
Mon., March 1 -Â Air Force
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FS1 (6)
Mon., Jan. 4 - at San Diego State                  L, 65-78
Sat., Jan. 9 - UNLV
Thu., Jan. 21 - at Utah State
Fri., Jan. 29 - Boise State
Tue., Feb. 9 - New Mexico
Sat., Feb. 20 - at Nevada
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Double-Doubles
• The Rams have two players that have combined for eight double-doubles in their young careers, including two via points-assists, as the program total is now 648 since 1965-66.
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David Roddy                                          6
17 pts, 11 reb; vs Tulsa, 12/21/19
19 pts, 13 reb; WYOMING, 1/4/20
25 pts, 12 reb; CSU PUEBLO, 12/12/20
19 pts, 13 reb; FRESNO STATE, 12/28/20
17 pts, 11 reb; FRESNO STATE, 12/30/20
15 pts, 12 reb; at San Diego State, 1/2/21
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Isaiah Stevens                                      2
26 pts, 12 ast; vs Tulsa, 12/21/19
11 pts, 10 ast; at San Diego State, 1/4/21
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Points/Assists Double-Double Career Leaders
(17 total in history)
1.        Ryan Yoder (1990-94)                 6
2.       Isaiah Stevens (2019-pres.)         2
         Fred Anzures (1973-77)                2
         Rudy Carey (1970-74)                  2
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DOUBLE-DOUBLE RANKINGS TOTAL
(105 Players since 1965-66)
1.        Nico Carvacho (2015-20)             49
2.       Mike Childress (1969-71)              35
3.       Emmanuel Omogbo (2016-18)       28
4.       Jason Smith (2004-07)                24
5.       Tim Hall (1971-75)                       23
20.     Archie Weems (1968-70)              10
t-21.    three players with                      9
t-24.   five players with                        8
t-30.   six players with                         7
t-35.   David Roddy (2019-pres.)           6
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Moving On Up
• Juniors Kendle Moore and Adam Thistlewood are looked at to help lead this team as two of the four returning starters.
• In 2019-20, Thistlewood was fourth on the team at 10.2 points and fifth at 3.2 rebounds per game, while Moore was fifth at 9.0 points a contest and led with 42 steals. Moore led the Rams at 43.5 percent from the three-point line, while Thistlewood was third at 39.3 as each connected 60 and 57 times, respectively, beyond the arc.
• For their careers, the third-year roommates have played in a combined 140 of a possible 144 games (131 starts) and contributed 18.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and better than 39 percent from the three-point arc as a duo.
• Both are on the verge of cracking the career top 20 for CSU in three-pointers as Thistlewood is tied for 18th at 123 and Moore has 106. David Turcotte (1984-88) is 20th at 121.
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Career 3-Pointers List
14.      130    Lynn Tryon          (115 Games)    1988-92
         130    Stephan Gilling     (61 Games)    2005-07
16.      125    Jon Rakiecki        (91 Games)    2000-05
17.      124    Adam Nigon        (122 Games)    2007-11
18.      123    Ryan Yoder         (101 Games)    1990-94
         123    Adam Thistlewood (69 games)  2019-pres.
19.      121     David Turcotte     (123 Games)   1984-88
20.     117     Jameel Mahmud   (82 Games)    1994-98
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In the 2020-21 Season
• The pair both scored in double figures in the opener against CSU Pueblo, as Thsitlewood had 16 points, including three triples and 5-of-6 at the free throw line, while Moore tallied 13 points, hitting all six of his field goal attempts and adding three assists and two steals.
• Against Northern Arizona, Moore had 12 points, four rebounds and four steals, while Thistlewood chipped in nine points and four rebounds.
• In the victory at Santa Clara, Moore had 12 points and four rebounds, while Thistlewood recorded 10 points and a season-best eight rebounds.      Â
• Moore currently ranks third in scoring for CSU at 10.1 points per game while first in field goal percentage (52.9) and second in three-point percentage (41.4).
• Thistlewood is fourth at 9.0 points per game and has hit a team-high 13 three-pointers.
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Sophomore Class Continuing Impact
• The sophomore class of guards Isaiah Stevens and John Tonje, forward David Roddy and center Dischon Thomas are showing the growth after their first year of collegiate basketball.
• Roddy paces the Rams in scoring at 15.9 points per game and rebounding at 9.3 per contest, while Stevens is second at 13.5 points and tops at 6.6 assists per game.
• Tonje is ffith at 7.8 points per game, with Thomas averaging 3.3 points and 3.1 boards a contest.
• Against Northern Arizona Dec. 14, Stevens had a game-high 23 points and nine assists, while Roddy added 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Tonje chipped in seven points and two rebounds off the bench.
• In the win at Santa Clara Dec. 22, the group combined or 45 points and 22 rebounds, with Roddy leading with 16 points and Tonje recording a career-high with 12 off the bench.
• Roddy recorded double-doubles in each of the games against Fresno State, going for 19 points and a career high-tying 13 rebounds in the opener and following it up with 17 points and 11 boards in the second victory.
• The group made a major impact on the historic comeback win over then-No. 23 San Diego State Jan. 2, combining for 41 points, 19 rebounds and 12 assists. Tonje capped off the win by hitting the game-winning four-point play with a triple from the left corner with 12.3 seconds left and converting the free throw from the foul to put the Rams ahead for good.
• Roddy earned his first Mountain West Player of the Week on Jan. 5 for his efforts against Fresno State and at San Diego State.
In 2019-20
• Last season, head coach Niko Medved played the four freshmen in 31 of the 32 contests in 2019-20, with three playing in all 32.
• Stevens started all 32 games, while Roddy started the final 19 games of the season.
• Thomas and Tonje both played at least 31 contests and contributed off the bench.
• Stevens led the team in scoring at 13.3 points per game, shooting 46.7 percent from the floor, 38.0 from the arc and 81.6 percent from the free throw line. He reached at least 10 points in 24 of the 32 games and had at least four assists in 20 of them, averaging 4.6 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 had 144 assists on the year, which is fifth on the CSU single-season chart (Milt Palacio in 4th with 147).
• Roddy was third at 11.4 points per game and second at 5.6 rebounds a contest, as the freshman scored in double figures in 22 of the last 28 games and 23 total contests last season.
• In conference action only, the pair ranked among the top 20 scorers in the Mountain West, with Stevens in 14th with 13.33 points per game and Roddy 17th with 12.94. Roddy was also 13th in rebounding at 6.11 boards per MW game, while Stevens is third in assists at 4.67 per contest. The duo earned honorablemention All-MW from the media, Stevens Third Team All-MW by the coaches and also MW Freshman of the Year by both the coaches and media.
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Coors Light Coaches' Show Is Back
• The Coors Light Basketball Coaches' Show, hosted by "Voice of the Rams" Brian Roth, will make its 2020 debut on Wed. Dec. 16, from 7-8 p.m., broadcast live from the Lucky Joe's Studio at Moby Arena. Due to the global pandemic, fans are not permitted at the show this year.
• The show will air on the Colorado State Sports Network powered by Canvas Credit Union, including the flagship home of the Colorado State Rams, Power 102.9 FM, in Northern Colorado and on Mile High Sports 1430 AM in the Denver Metro area.
• The one-hour weekly show provides an inside look at the Rams' men's and women's program from men's head coach Niko Medved and women's head coach Ryun Williams, including previews of the upcoming action for each squad. The show will run at the same time, with the date varying based on coach availability due to game schedules. Fans also may submit questions on social media via the Twitter account @CSURamsRadio.
• Dates are subject to change based on changes in the basketball schedule.
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Coors Light Basketball Coaches' Show Schedule:
Jan. 5 (Tue.), 11, 18 and 25 (Mondays)
Feb. 1 (Mon.), 8 (Mon.), 15 (Mon.) and 24 (Wed.)
Tue. or Wed., March 2 or 3 (based on game schedules)
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Carvacho Leaves Legacy at CSU
• Graduated center Nico Carvacho showed his increased comfort level on the floor, growing extensively over his four years to leave his mark on the record book.
• A three-time All-Mountain West selection, Carvacho led the nation in rebounding in 2018-19 at 12.9 rebounds per game while recording a single-season school-record 22 double-doubles.
• 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 1295, passing previous leader Pat Durham (1985-89) at 851.
• He is the first player in league history with 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds and is the leader in Mountain West-only double-doubles with 34.
• Below are his career rankings for both CSU and the Mountain West, showing the legacy he leaves behind.
CSU Career Ranks
Points                           7th         1,414
Field Goals Made             7th         553
Field Goal Percentage       13th        .558               Â
Rebounds                      1st          1,295
Rebounding Average        3rd         9.8
Defensive Rebounds        1st          860
Offensive Rebounds         1st          435
Blocked Shots                 11th        79
Games Played                 1st          132
Games Started                2nd        129
Minutes                         3rd         3,648
Double-Doubles              1st          49
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Mountain West Career Rankings
Rebounds                      1st          1,295
Rebounds (MW gms only)  1st          771
Double-Doubles              1st          49
Double-Doubles (MW)       1st          34
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NCAA Overall Career Rebound Leaders since 1985-86
20.   Nico Carvacho                                          1295
Players Passed In His Final Season
       Alonzo Mourning (Georgetown)                    1032
       Draymond Green (Michigan State)                 1096
       Christian Laettner (Duke)                             1149
       Paul Millsap (La. Tech/Denver Nuggets)           1172
       Dale Davis (Clemson)                                  1216
       Shaquille O'Neal (LSU)                                 1217
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Rams Playing Professionally
• J.J. Avila ('15) - Fuerza Regia Monterrey (Mexico) - league champions
• Daniel Bejarano ('15) - Fuerza Regia Monterrey (Mexico) - league champions
• Che Bob ('18) - Elitzur Ironi Netanya (Israel)
• Nico Carvacho ('20) - Rilski (Bulgaria)
• Gian Clavell ('17) - Avtodor Saratov (Russia)
• John Gillon ('17) - Darussafaka (Turkey)
• Colton Iverson ('13) - New Zealand Breakers (Australia)
• Stanton Kidd ('15) - OGM Orman (Turkey)
• Jon Octeus ('15) - Shiga Lakestars (Japan)
• Andy Ogide ('11) - Allianz Pazienza Cestistica San Severo (Italy)
• Emmanuel Omogbo ('17) - Levitec Huesca (Spain)
• J.D. Paige ('19) - Prizreni (Kosovo Superliga)
• Gerson Santo ('14) - Sao Paulo FC (Brazil)
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Looking Ahead
• The Rams return go back on the road to take on San Jose State in Phoenix, Ariz., Jan. 14 & 16.
• The games will be streamed on the MW Network.
• The audio will be on the Colorado State Sports Radio Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Brian Roth 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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Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballColorado State Basketball (M): Season 1 - Ep. 1
Sunday, August 10
Ramily - CSU Men's Basketball
Tuesday, August 05
Ram Line - Shoot Around with Josh Pascarelli & Darnez Slater (MBB)
Monday, August 04
Behind the White Board - Ken DeWeese
Monday, August 04