Quick Switch Keeps Team in Conference Play

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FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The truth is, the team was ready to roll with anything.

Getting game action was imperative, especially after Tuesday's 67-59 victory over Air Force at home, opening the Mountain West season for the No. 19/20 Colorado State men's basketball team. The contest came after a 24-day break in play, taking the Rams from Dec. 11 to the Jan. 4 tipoff.

What they found was their legs weren't with them all the way through. The focus wasn't as sharp, and neither was their play on both ends of the court. What they did carry through the break was heart, grit and calm, all of which were required to pull out the victory.

It proved they need more games, and the reality of the situation was the Rams didn't know if Boise State – scheduled next – was going to be able to play. So behind the scenes coach Niko Medved and his staff were working the phones trying to line up possible games in case the Broncos weren't ready to go.

What the pandemic took away from the team, it eventually gave right back. San Diego State was set to lose a conference game, so pairing the two for a nationally televised game Saturday at 2 p.m. became the perfect fallback scenario.

"We have experience from doing this last year, and this particular game, similar things happened," Medved said, his team an unblemished 11-0 heading out to its first true road game of the year. "It got switched, the schedule got moved. We were already in a situation where we were not sure who we were going to play. We were trying to find a game, so we knew we were going to have to play somebody on short notice. It just so happens to be San Diego State."

Remaining in the template of conference play may be a plus, but as far as the players were concerned, the opponent didn't really matter. They were ready to pack their bags and go anywhere.

They didn't concern themselves much with the particulars, Isaiah Rivera said. They did what they needed to do, which was go to practice every day and let those in charge take care of the travel plans.

"You just control the controllables. We have no control over it, so we just come into practice right now and work our hardest," he said. "We did it well last year, but we have to do it better this year, adjust to changes and play great.

"We really didn't care who we played, we just wanted to play anyone. We were excited that we get to play, get back on the court. It's been awhile, but it felt good to be on the court Tuesday night. It felt good, just to feel the fans, be on the court in Moby. The legs were a little tired, but they came back and they'll keep coming back."

Like Colorado State, the Aztecs (9-3, 1-0) have lost one conference game already, with Fresno State unable to go Wednesday. They opened with a victory at UNLV on New Year's Day. The game may come with a bit of short notice for the two, but they already knew they were going to eventually play, and it's not like the teams are unfamiliar with each other. The Viejas Arena setting should make for an interesting atmosphere.

Colorado State has been picked to win the Mountain West this year, but traditionally, San Diego State always has something to say about who prevails for the regular season and conference titles. Last season, the Rams split games with the then No. 23 Aztecs, both at Viejas Arena.

The way Medved views it, his team may need to get comfortable with the arrangement. The pandemic has already proven it can still create some havoc with the schedule, and so he and his team are braced for the possibility this won't be the last time.

"Hey, we got thrown a curveball Wednesday afternoon, but again, we really wanted to play," Medved said. "The fact we get to play and play against a great opponent at a great venue, I think that's awesome for our guys.

"I think there's no question it will happen. It's going to happen this year. I think our guys are used to that, so this will probably be the first of many potential situations where were have to be prepared to play on the fly."

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