This 2012-13 season has been filled with ups and downs for Colorado State basketball.
Sure, it's been many more ups – 15 victories – than downs – four losses – but of those four losing efforts, every one has come on the road.
Moby Arena has been a true homecourt advantage for the Rams, where they've run off a school record 24 straight wins that dates back to November of 2011. Their most recent victory came over then No. 23 UNLV a week ago. It took their most complete effort of the season, but CSU's experience won out in the end.
Four nights later, the Rams traveled to New Mexico and fell asleep in The Pit, losing 66-61. During the end of the first half and beginning of the second, Colorado State went through a scoring drought of over 7:30 minutes, falling behind by 20 points, a margin too big to overcome. It doesn't mean they weren't resilient – Wes Eikmeier was extraordinary down the stretch, stealing a pass and hitting a 30-footer to bring the Rams to within three points – but it was too little, too late.
Tonight, they have a chance to win their first road game in five attempts – the first in over two months, since they beat Washington in Seattle – against a tough Fresno State (7-11, 1-4 MWC) team.
The Bulldogs are feisty; they handed Wyoming the Cowboys' second loss of the season and lost to San Diego State by a mere three points. They rely on playing active, physical defense; Fresno limits opposing teams to 60.2 points per game, steals 7.8 balls and blocks 4.2 more.
While junior guard Tyler Johnson is the team's best scorer (11.3 PPG), senior forward Kevin Foster is likely their best player. Foster's third on the team in scoring (8.1 PPG)and leads the Bulldogs with 6.5 rebounds per contest.
Can the Rams translate their newly found toughness on the road? They'll have to do just that in order to win tonight.
There's no TV for tonight's game, but you can follow in a variety of ways. Listen to Rams radio man Brian Roth (600 AM in Fort Collins or online), you can follow the game online with the gametracker on CSURams.com or, with a $10 subscription to CBS All-Access, watch the game online here.
CSU vs. Fresno State tips off at 8 p.m. MT.
More CSU Rams:
Rams nearing top-25
Dorian Green named MWC Player of the Week
Rich Kurtzman is a freelance journalist. You can follow Rich on twitter or facebook for all your CSU Rams news and opinion.
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