Colorado State Basketball

Green & Gold Report Men’s Preview

Tim Miles enters his fifth year as coach of the Colorado State Basketball program and has steadily been building a quality program.  The Rams come off a 19 win season and their second straight post season appearance.  Coach Miles enters this season with the bulk of his best recruiting efforts of Green, Eikmeier, Carr, Smith, Hornung all entering their junior year.  The Rams need to replace the majority of their scoring with the departure of front court players Ogide and Franklin.

Last year after the pre-season intra-squad scrimmage I predicted the team would get to 20 wins on the season.  The team played their best basketball early in the year and were looking good midway through the conference schedule as well.  Unfortunately the Rams lack of experience and cold shooting down the stretch left them one game short of the prestigious 20 win mark.

The Rams enter this season with a stable of talented back court players, but Hornung, Smith and Bell are the only returning front court players with any real experience.  Seven footer Trevor Williams looks ready to contribute quality minutes in his sophomore year and will benefit from practicing against 6-10 Colton Iverson who must sit out this year after transferring from Minnesota.

Greg Smith appears to be up to the challenge of replacing Franklin’s production as he possesses the same quick first step, but also balances out his game with a quality jump shot that ranges beyond the three point arch.  Even more encouraging is Pierce Hornungs outside shot.  Last season the opponents would drop off Hornung, daring him to shoot the jump shot he typically passed on.  In the pre-season scrimmage Hornung did not hesitate to shoot the jump shot, nailing one from the free throw line and knocking down a three pointer.  If Hornung can consistently hit the jump shot he can become the inside outside scoring threat Ogide provided during the Rams hot streak last year.

With a bevy of talented outside shooters Miles is going to attempt to facilitate a slightly more up tempo game.  This will aid the players who can develop a good shooting rhythm early in games.  Last season the Rams focused on the half court game and the guards did not shoot well off the kick backs from the post players.  In the scrimmage most of the guards seemed to pick up where they left off last year.  Walk on senior Kaipo Sabas may have the best shooting stroke of the  bunch and may be able to give the team some quality minutes this year, particularly against zone defenses.

The benefit the Rams have this season is experience.  Last year when teams elevated their games down the stretch run, the Rams could not answer the bell.  This year’s team has now been through the battles and should they get themselves to the threshold again this season, will be better equipped to face the challenge of a post season run.

Colorado State Basketball - Go To Player

The only unknown is the lack of one player who can throw the team on his back and produce even if the opponent schemes to stop him.  Eikmeier took over the BYU game at home last season and is capable of having a game like that again.  Carr and Green have proven they can make a play in the clutch as well.  Greg Smith is a smooth player, but will any of the juniors step up their games enough to be that guy?  Unfortunately the best candidate for that role appears to be forced to sit the bench this year.

Daniel Bejarano, a transfer from University of Arizona demonstrates startling athletic ability.  In pre-scrimmage warm-ups he entertained the crowd with high flying dunks.  More impressive was his ability to score within the offense during the scrimmage.  Most guys in their first appearance would try to force things to prove themselves.  Bejarano seemed to carry himself with the confidence of an established veteran.  He knew when and how he was going to score and possessed a deadly and un-blockable three point shot with his leaping ability.

Colorado State Basketball – Summary

This leads to the summary that Ram Fans should cheer on the Rams this year to be as good or better than last year’s squad.  Hopefully the Rams can over-achieve and earn a bid to the big dance this March, as this season is really is a dress rehearsal for the following season.  Anything the Rams can accomplish this season will benefit them when Bejarano and Iverson are eligible the following season.  That’s when Colordo State Basketball will have the depth, talent and experience to compete for a conference championship, and field a team that has the potential to be the best ever at Colorado State University.