Colorado State University Athletics
Shootaround: Hitting the Floor With a Purpose
3/10/2024 2:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Rams are spectators on first day of tourney
LAS VEGAS – The Thomas and Mack Center isn't where UNLV's women's basketball team normally plays, so for some of Colorado State's roster, Monday's game against Nevada will be the first time they've played on the floor.
For a shooter, getting the feel for a place is part of the battle of getting shots to fall. For Hannah Ronsiek and Marta Leimane, Sunday morning's shootaround wasn't just about getting up some shots.
"No, it's definitely getting used to the gym, getting used to the feel of the court is really important," Ronsiek said. "I felt it was pretty good today, but I'm excited for warmups tomorrow as well. The basketballs are different, so you have to get a feel for those too."
Both of them are capable scores, and each can be a threat behind the arc. Every background is different, so part of it is training the eyes to still focus on the background. It will look different. At home, the seats are green. At the Thomas and Mack Center, they're red.
Little details matter.
"I feel like the lights make a different, the perception," Leimane said. "You have to get used to that too."
The two sophomores are vital to providing the Rams with some scoring depth. Leimane, averaging 7.8 points per game on the year, has been in double figures five of the past eight games, four times exceeding 20 points.
Ronsiek is a perimeter threat the team needs. Averaging 8.1 a contest, she's been in double figures 10 times this season. She's second on the team in 3s made with 46, once hitting seven in a game, five on two other occasions.
The Rams will face Nevada in the quarterfinals, the one preset matchup of the second day. Even still, the team will head to watch a first-round game, partially because coach Ryun Williams wants the team to get a feel for the tournament atmosphere during a game.
Old Hat
The more you do something, the more natural it feels.
For Kendyll Kinzer, the Mountain West tourney has a different feel having gone through it a few times, first with Fresno State, now for the third year with Colorado State.
"I would say it feels different. I feel a little bit more relaxed," she said. "I remember my freshman year, first tournament, the nerves feel pretty high, even for the first couple of games. I just feel like coming into this tournament I feel more comfortable and confident instead of feeling so nervous."
The Rams do have a veteran team. This is the fourth bracket for McKenna Hofschild, Sydney Mech and Cali Clark have all been here four times. The arena is familiar, so is the floor.
What's at stake never changes. For every team, it's a one-and-done affair, but the pressure doesn't weigh as heavy on the shoulders anymore.
"I just think the nerves are always really high, even the first couple of tournaments," Kinzer said. "Coming here, I don't feel those jitters, at least not as much as in the past."
Tourney Quick Facts
Colorado State is 22-21 in the Mountain West tournament, winning the title in 2001 and 2016. … Monday's meeting will be the first time CSU faces Nevada in the tournament. … This is just the second time the Rams enter the tournament as the No. 5 seed. In 2018 they opened with a 71-55 win over Fresno State. … A couple of Rams hold tourney records. In 2006, Vanessa Espinoza set the 3-point percentage mark by making all five of her attempts against San Diego State. Ellen Nystrom set the standard for assists with 16 in a game against Fresno State in 2016.
Â
For a shooter, getting the feel for a place is part of the battle of getting shots to fall. For Hannah Ronsiek and Marta Leimane, Sunday morning's shootaround wasn't just about getting up some shots.
"No, it's definitely getting used to the gym, getting used to the feel of the court is really important," Ronsiek said. "I felt it was pretty good today, but I'm excited for warmups tomorrow as well. The basketballs are different, so you have to get a feel for those too."
Both of them are capable scores, and each can be a threat behind the arc. Every background is different, so part of it is training the eyes to still focus on the background. It will look different. At home, the seats are green. At the Thomas and Mack Center, they're red.
Little details matter.
"I feel like the lights make a different, the perception," Leimane said. "You have to get used to that too."
The two sophomores are vital to providing the Rams with some scoring depth. Leimane, averaging 7.8 points per game on the year, has been in double figures five of the past eight games, four times exceeding 20 points.
Ronsiek is a perimeter threat the team needs. Averaging 8.1 a contest, she's been in double figures 10 times this season. She's second on the team in 3s made with 46, once hitting seven in a game, five on two other occasions.
The Rams will face Nevada in the quarterfinals, the one preset matchup of the second day. Even still, the team will head to watch a first-round game, partially because coach Ryun Williams wants the team to get a feel for the tournament atmosphere during a game.
Old Hat
The more you do something, the more natural it feels.
For Kendyll Kinzer, the Mountain West tourney has a different feel having gone through it a few times, first with Fresno State, now for the third year with Colorado State.
"I would say it feels different. I feel a little bit more relaxed," she said. "I remember my freshman year, first tournament, the nerves feel pretty high, even for the first couple of games. I just feel like coming into this tournament I feel more comfortable and confident instead of feeling so nervous."
The Rams do have a veteran team. This is the fourth bracket for McKenna Hofschild, Sydney Mech and Cali Clark have all been here four times. The arena is familiar, so is the floor.
What's at stake never changes. For every team, it's a one-and-done affair, but the pressure doesn't weigh as heavy on the shoulders anymore.
"I just think the nerves are always really high, even the first couple of tournaments," Kinzer said. "Coming here, I don't feel those jitters, at least not as much as in the past."
Tourney Quick Facts
Colorado State is 22-21 in the Mountain West tournament, winning the title in 2001 and 2016. … Monday's meeting will be the first time CSU faces Nevada in the tournament. … This is just the second time the Rams enter the tournament as the No. 5 seed. In 2018 they opened with a 71-55 win over Fresno State. … A couple of Rams hold tourney records. In 2006, Vanessa Espinoza set the 3-point percentage mark by making all five of her attempts against San Diego State. Ellen Nystrom set the standard for assists with 16 in a game against Fresno State in 2016.
Â
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballWednesday, May 20
Friday, March 20
Thursday, March 19
Monday, March 16