A 24-game home winning streak doesn't happen by accident.
No, it takes coaching, teamwork, perseverance and even the fans.
“The secret to this home court streak,” Colorado State head coach Larry Eustachy said in his Mountain West coaches teleconference Monday, “it's an easy formula; great fans and great players. It starts and ends there.”
When CSU last played at home, 10 days ago against then No. 23 UNLV, the Moby Maniacs were out in full force and it undoubtedly created a homecourt advantage.
The game's official attendance said “7,626,” but I couldn't see an empty 800 seats in Moby Arena that night; the stadium had the feeling of a sell-out crowd.
Noise was deafening for most of the contest, throwing the Rebels off their game just enough for the Rams to win 66-61.
Certainly the team played their most complete game of the season – both starting and finishing strong while playing physical basketball throughout – and it stands as Colorado State's signature win to this point.
Still, those Ram fans must be given credit.
The Rams (16-4, 3-2 MWC) are putting on a show at home, and even though Fort Collins was missing out earlier in the year, lately they've been supporting the best team in Colorado currently competing.
And now is when CSU basketball needs those screaming Moby Maniacs most, as they have a truly tough stretch of home games over the next month.
It all starts Wednesday, as the Rams host Boise State (14-5, 2-3 MWC) at 7 p.m. MT. The Broncos are much-improved this season, averaging 76.7 points per game while shooting very well from two and three-point range. They've beaten No. 11 Creighton on the road and handed Wyoming their first loss in Laramie this season, meaning Boise knows how to win on the road.
On Saturday, it's the first Border War against Wyoming (15-4, 2-4 MWC) at 5 p.m. MT. Wyoming started their season incredibly, going 13-0, but they've lost 4-6 in conference play. Losing shooter Luke Martinez indefinitely following a bar fight two weeks ago has absolutely hurt the team, but they'll still give it their all to beat CSU in Fort Collins. According to CSU media relations, the Wyoming game is already sold out, as long as 1,500 students show up Saturday night.
Then, on February 13, CSU hosts San Diego State (16-4, 4-2) before playing New Mexico (17-3, 4-1) 10 days later.
Time is running out for you to get a glimpse of the best Colorado State basketball team this town has seen in a long time, and to watch the many seniors that have devoted four years to the university.
You can buy tickets online on CSURams.com or by going to the Fum McGraw Athletic Center on Colorado State campus.
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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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