Colorado State University Athletics
Friday, March 21
Seattle, WA
12:00 PM
Colorado State
vs
Memphis
Shootaround: The Rams Continue on Their Way
3/20/2025 12:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Prepare like every other time
The stage is set.
Â
When the biggest tournament in the country meets the top teams, the stakes rise higher than ever. For Colorado State basketball, that weight is felt but never feared.
Â
The trick: feeling the pressure while letting it push the team further.
Â
Colorado State basketball has been to the NCAA tournament three times in the past four years under coach Niko Medved. Jalen Lake has been to all three, the most appareances by any CSU Ram.
Â
"It's awesome to hold that title," Lake said. "To come to three March Madness', it doesn't get old being able to come here. It means a lot to bring that balance."
Â
Lake continues to be a vital part of the Rams' shooting but is not the only one showing leadership initiative.
Â
Kyan Evans, a sophomore, takes his second trip to The Big Dance, now putting in serious minutes on the court as their main point guard.
Â
"It's a big tournament and I think everyone should take it in and enjoy the moment," Evans said. "But I think everyone here understands and knows that we're trying to win games here and we're not just here for the looks."
Â
Stay Out of the Bubble
Â
Throughout the season, coach Niko Medved has been adamant about staying focused on CSU itself, not the comparison and rankings constantly in the media.
Â
And his sentiment during the tournament remains true even though the Rams continue to get more and more positive attention.
Â
"We've been playing well, but early on, no one was talking about us," Medved said. "Now, more people are talking about us nationally, but it's really important to understand what allowed us to be this successful – we didn't focus on rankings. We just focus on ourselves."
Â
The inward attention has helped morale and it even extends toward their opposing team.
Â
Though CSU continues scouting and preparing for every possible scenario, Medved and Nique Clifford aren't focused on doing a 1:1 comparison between Clifford and Memphis' PJ Haggerty as many other people are doing.
Â
"I know he's not thinking about it," Medved said. "He's not thinking, 'It's me and PJ,' he's thinking, 'It's the Rams versus the Memphis Tigers.' He knows the lights are bright tomorrow, the lights have always been bright for him."
Â
Under the bright lights CSU takes on Memphis at 12 p.m. MT for the first round of the tournament.
Â
Here and There
Â
The last time CSU played Memphis was in 2021 at the NIT semifinals where the Rams lost 90-67. … The Rams are seeded No. 12 while the Tigers are No. 5. … During their win streak, the Rams have won by more than eight points every time, the longest streak in CSU history. … CSU is 5-13 all-time in the NCAA Tournament
Â
When the biggest tournament in the country meets the top teams, the stakes rise higher than ever. For Colorado State basketball, that weight is felt but never feared.
Â
The trick: feeling the pressure while letting it push the team further.
Â
Colorado State basketball has been to the NCAA tournament three times in the past four years under coach Niko Medved. Jalen Lake has been to all three, the most appareances by any CSU Ram.
Â
"It's awesome to hold that title," Lake said. "To come to three March Madness', it doesn't get old being able to come here. It means a lot to bring that balance."
Â
Lake continues to be a vital part of the Rams' shooting but is not the only one showing leadership initiative.
Â
Kyan Evans, a sophomore, takes his second trip to The Big Dance, now putting in serious minutes on the court as their main point guard.
Â
"It's a big tournament and I think everyone should take it in and enjoy the moment," Evans said. "But I think everyone here understands and knows that we're trying to win games here and we're not just here for the looks."
Â
Stay Out of the Bubble
Â
Throughout the season, coach Niko Medved has been adamant about staying focused on CSU itself, not the comparison and rankings constantly in the media.
Â
And his sentiment during the tournament remains true even though the Rams continue to get more and more positive attention.
Â
"We've been playing well, but early on, no one was talking about us," Medved said. "Now, more people are talking about us nationally, but it's really important to understand what allowed us to be this successful – we didn't focus on rankings. We just focus on ourselves."
Â
The inward attention has helped morale and it even extends toward their opposing team.
Â
Though CSU continues scouting and preparing for every possible scenario, Medved and Nique Clifford aren't focused on doing a 1:1 comparison between Clifford and Memphis' PJ Haggerty as many other people are doing.
Â
"I know he's not thinking about it," Medved said. "He's not thinking, 'It's me and PJ,' he's thinking, 'It's the Rams versus the Memphis Tigers.' He knows the lights are bright tomorrow, the lights have always been bright for him."
Â
Under the bright lights CSU takes on Memphis at 12 p.m. MT for the first round of the tournament.
Â
Here and There
Â
The last time CSU played Memphis was in 2021 at the NIT semifinals where the Rams lost 90-67. … The Rams are seeded No. 12 while the Tigers are No. 5. … During their win streak, the Rams have won by more than eight points every time, the longest streak in CSU history. … CSU is 5-13 all-time in the NCAA Tournament
Players Mentioned
Colorado 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