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Colorado State University Athletics
Shootaround: Big Dream to the Big Dance
3/19/2024 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
There will be Strong interest in the first game
DAYTON, Ohio – They all dreamed about it as kids. When they first went to college, it seemed it would remain that way.
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The dream of playing in March Madness. Tuesday it becomes a reality for Joel Scott, Patrick Cartier and Joe Palmer, all of whom had a chance to work out some of those emotions and jitters when Colorado State's men's basketball team arrived at the University of Dayton Arena.
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"Yes, it's actually kind of crazy. This is what you dream of as a kid," Scott said. "So actually being here seeing March Madness everywhere and just kind of seeing the court when we kind of walked by it's just kind of surreal.
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"It's been a real cool experience. But it's an awesome experience, and I'm just excited to
kind of get going. I'm kind of antsy, ready for tomorrow night to get here."
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Scott played four years at Black Hills State, becoming the Division II Player of the Year and twice reaching the Final Four at that level. Cartier started at Hillsdale College in Michigan, twice being named a Division II All-American. Palmer made the biggest jump, going to Augsburg in Division III, also earning All-American recognition.
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Cartier and Palmer arrived two years ago, Scott joining the team this year.
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Who would have guessed?
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"I think in my wildest imagination, maybe. It was always, 'I'd love to do this, I think I'm a good enough player, but …'" Cartier said. "Obviously a lot of things had to fall in the right place. Colorado State is a special spot and being able to do it with these guys is a special thing."
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Before working out, they had to get a few things out of the way. They had to take in the atmosphere of the arena and all it had to offer. You wouldn't walk two feet without seeing some kind of signage for the tournament, the one they grew up watching on television as kids.
Â
The arena was a hub of activity, people getting the place ready for the national spotlight when two games are played in what is now known as the First Four. Wagner and Howard go first, then Colorado State will take the floor against Virginia.
Â
"We got here a little early and came out on the court and watched Howard do their thing, took a few deep breaths and try to gain some perspective of everything," Cartier said. "This is the coolest moment."
Â
When the Rams finished their shootaround, they went to a wall of youngsters in the front row along the baseline and started signing autographs
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Across the way, in the front row behind the press area, a man scanned a bracket in a newspaper, one of Palmer's earliest memories of the tourney.
Â
"I mean, from the time I was a kid I was filling out brackets. My dad is an elementary school principal, so since I was 7, 8 years old, I was filling out brackets in his office," he said. "I always wanted to play in this tournament, March Madness, in Division I basketball. When I first started college basketball, I was at a Division III school, I always had the feeling I was good enough to play Division I. but man, this level, it's pretty incredible. It's a rare feat and a dream come true, to say the least."
Â
Cartier felt at ease. He's seen the pinnacle from a distance, now he was standing in the middle of it all. In the moment, he felt very much at ease, ready for a good night of sleep.
Â
Palmer wasn't sure he'd sleep a wink, but even still, he felt comfortable with everything. The transfer who became a crowd favorite for his hustle and energy, was all smiles. Like a kid in a candy store, he's ready to get his share.
Â
"I came out and was looking at the March Madness sign on the floor and just being here … I grew up my whole life watching this and seeing that floor," he said. "It's a huge deal. Seeing that, coming to fruition, it's like, 'I'm here.' I'm settled in, I feel good and I feel at home, so I'm ready."
Â
Here and There
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The team had a day to settle in after a tight turnaround. A late breakfast call was followed by a practice at Wright State, with the afternoon to rest up. … Colorado State guard Josiah Strong will take special interest in the game prior, as his brother Joshua, plays for Howard. Joshua is the only Division I player in the country currently attending law school.
Â
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The dream of playing in March Madness. Tuesday it becomes a reality for Joel Scott, Patrick Cartier and Joe Palmer, all of whom had a chance to work out some of those emotions and jitters when Colorado State's men's basketball team arrived at the University of Dayton Arena.
Â
"Yes, it's actually kind of crazy. This is what you dream of as a kid," Scott said. "So actually being here seeing March Madness everywhere and just kind of seeing the court when we kind of walked by it's just kind of surreal.
Â
"It's been a real cool experience. But it's an awesome experience, and I'm just excited to
kind of get going. I'm kind of antsy, ready for tomorrow night to get here."
Â
Scott played four years at Black Hills State, becoming the Division II Player of the Year and twice reaching the Final Four at that level. Cartier started at Hillsdale College in Michigan, twice being named a Division II All-American. Palmer made the biggest jump, going to Augsburg in Division III, also earning All-American recognition.
Â
Cartier and Palmer arrived two years ago, Scott joining the team this year.
Â
Who would have guessed?
Â
"I think in my wildest imagination, maybe. It was always, 'I'd love to do this, I think I'm a good enough player, but …'" Cartier said. "Obviously a lot of things had to fall in the right place. Colorado State is a special spot and being able to do it with these guys is a special thing."
Â
Before working out, they had to get a few things out of the way. They had to take in the atmosphere of the arena and all it had to offer. You wouldn't walk two feet without seeing some kind of signage for the tournament, the one they grew up watching on television as kids.
Â
The arena was a hub of activity, people getting the place ready for the national spotlight when two games are played in what is now known as the First Four. Wagner and Howard go first, then Colorado State will take the floor against Virginia.
Â
"We got here a little early and came out on the court and watched Howard do their thing, took a few deep breaths and try to gain some perspective of everything," Cartier said. "This is the coolest moment."
Â
When the Rams finished their shootaround, they went to a wall of youngsters in the front row along the baseline and started signing autographs
Â
Â
Across the way, in the front row behind the press area, a man scanned a bracket in a newspaper, one of Palmer's earliest memories of the tourney.
Â
"I mean, from the time I was a kid I was filling out brackets. My dad is an elementary school principal, so since I was 7, 8 years old, I was filling out brackets in his office," he said. "I always wanted to play in this tournament, March Madness, in Division I basketball. When I first started college basketball, I was at a Division III school, I always had the feeling I was good enough to play Division I. but man, this level, it's pretty incredible. It's a rare feat and a dream come true, to say the least."
Â
Cartier felt at ease. He's seen the pinnacle from a distance, now he was standing in the middle of it all. In the moment, he felt very much at ease, ready for a good night of sleep.
Â
Palmer wasn't sure he'd sleep a wink, but even still, he felt comfortable with everything. The transfer who became a crowd favorite for his hustle and energy, was all smiles. Like a kid in a candy store, he's ready to get his share.
Â
"I came out and was looking at the March Madness sign on the floor and just being here … I grew up my whole life watching this and seeing that floor," he said. "It's a huge deal. Seeing that, coming to fruition, it's like, 'I'm here.' I'm settled in, I feel good and I feel at home, so I'm ready."
Â
Here and There
Â
The team had a day to settle in after a tight turnaround. A late breakfast call was followed by a practice at Wright State, with the afternoon to rest up. … Colorado State guard Josiah Strong will take special interest in the game prior, as his brother Joshua, plays for Howard. Joshua is the only Division I player in the country currently attending law school.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
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