The Rams (13-6, 2-2) look to rebound from back-to-back blowouts on the road at the hands of Wyoming (70-51) last Saturday and New Mexico (85-52) Wednesday.
Colorado State hopes for some home cooking as they play the Mountain West Conference leading No. 13 San Diego State Aztecs (18-2, 4-0) Saturday afternoon.
The Rams' offense looked completely out of synch against the Cowboys and Lobos, and the losses were eerily similar. CSU's shooting, which is among the best teams in the nation, was off due to a lack of ball-movement and sloppy ball-handling.
Colorado State turned the ball over 34 times combined in the two losses, while only recording 13 assists. The Rams have enjoyed a great deal of success by playing team-oriented basketball, sharing the ball and translating steals into transition baskets.
And they'll need everything to click on Saturday afternoon against the amazing Aztecs, who have won 11 straight games overall and are 5-1 on the road this season. SDSU features the No. 1 and No. 3 scorers in the MWC respectively in guards Chase Tapley (16.4 PPG) and Jamaal Franklin (15.2).
CSU boasts their own superb scorers in Wes Eikmeier (15.6 PPG) and Dorian Green (13.5), though the duo has averaged only 14.5 points combined in the last two losses. They must step up and carry the team with hot shooting from outside, opening up the inside game where Will Bell and Pierce Hornung can hopefully find their spots and score a bit.
But beyond what is shaping up to be a great game, Colorado State has pulled out all the stops in order to please the Moby Maniacs in an effort to pack the arena.
To start it off, the first 2,500 students will receive a free piece of Pizza Hut pizza courtesy of AD Jack Graham.
Also, new football head coach Jim McElwain will be introduced to the crowd by Graham and Coach Mac will address the crowd.
Lastly, the game is a white-out, and the first 1,000 fans will receive a free T-shirt.
The Rams, who are 9-1 at Moby Arena this season, and a full arena would certainly help CSU in their efforts to try and steal a win against a definitely dominant opponent. Fewer than 3,000 general admission tickets remained as of Thursday afternoon, and many fans are likely looking for revenge against the Aztecs who beat the Rams at the buzzer last year 66-64.
As Rams head coach Tim Miles said in a letter to fans, "We need YOU to get there!
"Get your friends, your professors, even the guy sleeping on your couch Friday night, grab a white T-shirt and get out to Moby Arena for our annual “White Out” game against the Aztecs!
"Oh yeah, almost forgot. Since it’s an early game, CSU will buy your lunch! Free pizza will be given away to the first 2,500 students in attendance when doors open at 1 p.m.
"So get to Moby, be loud and be 'Proud to be a CSU Ram!'”
The game tips-off at 2 p.m. MST (doors open at 1 p.m. for those looking for free goodies) and it can be seen on NBC Sports for those that can't make the game in person.
Rich Kurtzman is a freelance journalist actively seeking a career in journalism. Along with being your CSU Rams Examiner, Kurtzman is also the Denver Broncos Examiner and writes for Blake Street Bulletin, Stadium Journey, Bleacher Report, and Mile High Hoops.
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