Colorado State University Athletics
Shootaround: Ready For the Upward Climb
3/12/2025 2:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Practice Makes Perfect
LAS VEGAS – Just like the stairs which took Colorado State to their practice court, so too is the competition which follows.
Â
The upward climb of the tournament is not lost on them, as the Rams take on their full day of preparation.
Â
The cacophony of sounds which echoed from the court, might have seemed disorganized in nature – but it's a dance the Rams have been doing all season – which is part of the secret.
Â
"It's important this time of year that we stay in our routine," said strength and conditioning coach Jason Phillips. "Things that we've done all year long that have been successful for us. I think, when you get in trouble, is when you mix it up. It's not necessarily the best approach, so we try to stick with the normal routine."
Â
However, there is nothing normal about the circumstances.
Â
It's staying in Las Vegas until knocked out of the tourney or bringing home the trophy.
Â
There really is no in-between.
Â
And for a player who sees the starting lineup during this championship for the first time, it's all about progression
Â
"It's always the plan to keep progressing," Kyan Evans said. "Prepare a little bit for both teams, but just mostly focusing on getting better."
Â
Train for the Moment
 A balance remains ever important.
Â
Multiple days of competition on the horizon, keeping relaxation in the mix is an important piece of the puzzle.
Â
Enjoy the sun, take a walk and watch the flashing lights of the strip.
Â
"Get outside," Phillips said. "Just keep moving around, and they have to do schoolwork too, so it's stressful. But the athlete part is real, just so they're not vegging out on their phones, so I encourage them to get outside."
Â
However, basketball is not the only thing which occupies their time while in Las Vegas, schoolwork continues to be part of the equation.
Â
In order to perform at the highest level their sport requires, preemptive planning for their school endeavors is important too.
Â
"The goal is to get everybody ahead," said Assistant Director of Student Support Services Taylor Henry. "So, on game day, they can just go and play basketball. I'm constantly checking in to make sure everything's taken care of so they can focus when they need to."
Â
Focus on things outside of basketball but also keep an eye on the competition.
Â
Planning to watch most all the games Evans, stays prepared for anything.
Â
"In person, I think we'll watch a little bit of the Nevada-Fresno State game," Evans said. "But I'll watch most all the games on the app, just keep up with what's going on."
Â
Here and There
The Rams know the when, they will find out the who this afternoon as Nevada and Fresno State battle. Their tournament record against Nevada is 1-1 and 4-1 against Fresno State. ... Out of all No.2 seeds in years past at the Mountain West Tournament, 10 of the past 13Â have made it the championship game. CSU i s 4-3 overall as the No. 2 seed.
Â
The upward climb of the tournament is not lost on them, as the Rams take on their full day of preparation.
Â
The cacophony of sounds which echoed from the court, might have seemed disorganized in nature – but it's a dance the Rams have been doing all season – which is part of the secret.
Â
"It's important this time of year that we stay in our routine," said strength and conditioning coach Jason Phillips. "Things that we've done all year long that have been successful for us. I think, when you get in trouble, is when you mix it up. It's not necessarily the best approach, so we try to stick with the normal routine."
Â
However, there is nothing normal about the circumstances.
Â
It's staying in Las Vegas until knocked out of the tourney or bringing home the trophy.
Â
There really is no in-between.
Â
And for a player who sees the starting lineup during this championship for the first time, it's all about progression
Â
"It's always the plan to keep progressing," Kyan Evans said. "Prepare a little bit for both teams, but just mostly focusing on getting better."
Â
Train for the Moment
 A balance remains ever important.
Â
Multiple days of competition on the horizon, keeping relaxation in the mix is an important piece of the puzzle.
Â
Enjoy the sun, take a walk and watch the flashing lights of the strip.
Â
"Get outside," Phillips said. "Just keep moving around, and they have to do schoolwork too, so it's stressful. But the athlete part is real, just so they're not vegging out on their phones, so I encourage them to get outside."
Â
However, basketball is not the only thing which occupies their time while in Las Vegas, schoolwork continues to be part of the equation.
Â
In order to perform at the highest level their sport requires, preemptive planning for their school endeavors is important too.
Â
"The goal is to get everybody ahead," said Assistant Director of Student Support Services Taylor Henry. "So, on game day, they can just go and play basketball. I'm constantly checking in to make sure everything's taken care of so they can focus when they need to."
Â
Focus on things outside of basketball but also keep an eye on the competition.
Â
Planning to watch most all the games Evans, stays prepared for anything.
Â
"In person, I think we'll watch a little bit of the Nevada-Fresno State game," Evans said. "But I'll watch most all the games on the app, just keep up with what's going on."
Â
Here and There
The Rams know the when, they will find out the who this afternoon as Nevada and Fresno State battle. Their tournament record against Nevada is 1-1 and 4-1 against Fresno State. ... Out of all No.2 seeds in years past at the Mountain West Tournament, 10 of the past 13Â have made it the championship game. CSU i s 4-3 overall as the No. 2 seed.
Players Mentioned
G
/ 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