Monday Shootaround: Rams Ready to Start Tourney

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LAS VEGAS – A year ago, working through the bracket as the sixth seed, Colorado State's women put together a string of upsets to reach the Mountain West Championship game. They gave UNLV a run, but ultimately fell short, 75-65.

Now, those who lived the outcome, feel there's a bit of unfinished business as the Rams begin play tonight at the Thomas and Mack Center, facing Boise State at 8:30 p.m. (MT).

"I think it's a little bit of unfinished business. We have some people here who have been to this tournament three times, and I think we're all really hungry to finally get it," center Cali Clark said. "I know the new players on the team who haven't been to the Mountain West tournament are also hungry. I think everybody is just here to win one."

Coach Ryun Williams believes it a mix for his squad, especially with the new players on the roster who have made an impact on their 19-10 campaign.

Two expected starters – guards Destiny Thurman and Cailyn Crocker – weren't on the roster, nor were key reserves Meghan Boyd and Hannah Ronsiek.

"I think it's a mix for us," Williams said. "We have a lot of new faces on the team who weren't here last year, but I think they're hungry to get playing. For those who were on the team last year, I think there's a feeling of finishing the job."

Back-to-back

Colorado State's first game in March is a repeat of its final game in February. The Rams will face a Broncos team they beat 66-51 on Feb. 28. It gave CSU a season sweep of the series, as well as the No. 3 seed for the tourney.

"It's always harder to beat a team the second round, so we definitely have to come out and play and we can't underestimate them and be ready to ball out, the same way we did the last game," said Thurman, who was named the conference's Newcomer of the Year on Monday. "Whether we beat them by 10, 2 or 20, the third or fourth time, it doesn't matter. You have to come out and play every game, because you never know who's going to show up."

It's a quirk of the schedule which is possible, but it is rare for the Rams. The only other time in the past decade it has happened was the 2020 tournament with Air Force.

No matter who they play, Williams said they're all familiar anyhow.

"It makes the scout more familiar," he said. "No matter who it is, you just have to go out and play."

What's Happening

The tournament opened with an overtime game, with Nevada coming up big in the extra frame to knock out Fresno State, 65-53. San Jose State delivered the first upset, taking out Air Force 62-51, then Boise State followed with a 66-58 win over Utah State.

Today, the top seeds join the fray with No. 22 UNLV facing Nevada at noon; San Diego State-New Mexico at 2:30; Wyoming and San Jose State at 5; with Colorado State's game ending the session.

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