CSU Returns Home For Next Three, Starting With Texas State Dec. 17

2017-18 Colorado State Men's Basketball
Game #11 - Colorado State (4-6) vs. Texas State (5-5)
December 17, 2017 • 3 p.m. MT • Moby Arena (8,745) - Fort Collins, Colo.

Video: MW Network (http://csurams.com/watch)
Colorado State Sports Network -- Play-by-Play: Brian Roth / Color Analyst: Adam Nigon
Flagship: KARS 102.9 FM (Fort Collins); Affiliates: KDCO 104.7 FM (Denver), KMTS 99.1 FM (Glenwood Springs), KJME 890 AM (Colorado Springs), KKVT 100.7 FM (Grand Junction), KRFD 100.1 FM (Sterling)

Opening Tip
• Colorado State is back in Fort Collins after wrapping up Finals Week, returning to action with three consecutive home games to conclude non-conference play, starting with Texas State, Sunday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. MT
• The contest between the Rams and Bobcats will be televised on the MW Network.
• Live audio is available on the Colorado State Sports Network, including KARS 102.9 FM (flagship). Brian Roth is on the play-by-play for the Rams, with Adam Nigon handling the analysis.
• The game will also have live audio on CSURams.com in partnership with SIDEARM Sports and live stats on CSURams.com.

Rams Quick Hits
• The 2017-18 season marks the 116th in the history of the Colorado State men's basketball program. The Rams are 1,244-1,237 (.501) in 2,481 games all-time.
• Colorado State is under the direction of coaching veteran Larry Eustachy, who is starting his sixth season as the leader of the Rams' program and his 27th as a Division I head coach in 2017-18. Last season, Eustachy reached the 500-win plateau in his coaching career and the 100-victory mark at CSU along with being named the Mountain West Coach of the Year.
• Colorado State basketball is looking for its eighth invitation for postseason play in the last nine years, advancing to the second round of the 2017 National Invitation Tournament.
• CSU lost two of last year's five starters, including Mountain West Player of the Year Gian Clavell and First Team All-MW forward Emmanuel Omogbo, who set a new record for double-doubles in league play in 2016-17.
• Overall, the Rams return three players with significant starting experience in redshirt-junior J.D. Paige, junior Prentiss Nixon and redshirt-sophomore Nico Carvacho. Nixon, an honorable mention All-MW pick by the media last year, averaged 13.2 points per game, while Paige was at 8.8 points and a team-best 2.5 assists per game. Carvacho posted 5.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, ranking third on the team in boards.
• For broadcasting quick hits, current averages and career highs on individual players, go to the back page of the notes for a Radio/TV chart that includes that information.

The Coaches
• Colorado State Head Coach Larry Eustachy (Long Beach State, '79) is in his sixth season at the helm of the Rams and holds a 115-66 (.635) record at CSU and 517-324 (.615) overall coaching record in his 27th season. In 2016-17, CSU posted an 24-12 mark, including 13-4 in Mountain West play, advanced to the MW Championship game and played in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.
•   Texas Head Coach Danny Kaspar (North Texas, '78) is in his fifth season as leader of the Bobcats with a 64-75 record and 27th season as a collegiate head coach overall, with a 529-268 record.

Scouting Texas State
• The Bobcats are 5-5 after suffering a tough 72-68 loss at Abilene Christian, Dec. 9.
•   Picked to finish sixth in the Sun Belt, Texas State returns two starters and seven letterwinners from last year's team that finished 22-14 and 11-7 in the Sun Belt while advancing to the third round of the CIT.
•   A preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Third team selection, sophomore Nijal Pearson was the top returner and leads the squad in points per game (14.3), rebounds (6.3) and minutes (31.3).

A Win Over Texas State Will...
•   Snap a two-game losing skid
•   Improve the Rams home winning streak to five games and regular-season home win streak to eight.
•   Move Larry Eustachy within five wins of Stew Morrill for second on the CSU career coaching chart.

History Versus the Bobcats
•    The Rams and Bobcats have met on the hardwood only one time, with CSU coming out on top.
•    The schools played in Moby Arena on Dec. 21, 2004, with the Rams taking an 83-65 victory.
•    Head Coach Larry Eustachy will coach against Texas State and its head coach Danny Kaspar for the first time in his career.
TEXAS STATE - 1-0
Home: 1-0
   Date   Loc.   W/L   Score   Att.
   12/21/2004   Home   W   83-65   2629

History with the Sun Belt
• Colorado State has played teams currently in the Sun Belt 13 times, going 13-1 overall, including 9-1 at home.
•   Head Coach Larry Eustachy is 12-4 all-time against current Sun Belt schools, including 4-2 on home courts.
CSU vs. Sun Belt Conference
School   Overall   H   A   N
Appalachian State   1-0   -   -   1-0
Arkansas State   3-0   2-0   1-0   -
Arkansas-Little Rock   0-2   0-1   0-1   -
Georgia State   1-0   1-0   -   -
Louisiana-Lafayette   1-0   1-0   -   -
Louisiana Monroe   1-0   1-0   -   -
South Alabama   1-1   1-0   0-1   -
Texas State   1-0   1-0   -   -
Texas-Arlington   2-0   1-0   1-0   -
Troy State   1-0   1-0   -   -
Totals   13-3   9-1   2-2   1-0

Eustachy vs. Sun Belt Conference (12-4)
School   Overall   H   A   N
Arkansas State    1-0   1-0   0-0   0-0
Ark.-Little Rock   1-0   0-0   0-0   1-0
Coastal Carolina   1-0   0-0   0-0   1-0
Georgia State   2-1   1-0   0-0   1-1
La.-Lafayette   2-0   1-0   1-0   0-0
South Alabama   4-3   1-2   3-1   0-0
Troy   1-0   0-0   0-0   1-0
Totals   12-4   4-2   4-1   4-1

Eustachy Among the Elite
• CSU head coach Larry Eustachy has ranked among the best coaches in his sport for nearly two and a half decades. Now in his 27th season as a mentor at the NCAA Division I level, he got his 500th career win against Air Force in conference play last year.
• His 517 wins ties for 16th among active NCAA Division I coaches (same standard) and is tied for No. 56 all-time (list below)
Current Rankings of Division I Wins for Head Coaches
54.   Pete Carril (Lehigh, Princeton)   525
55.   Jay Wright (current Villanova)   519
56.   Larry Eustachy (current CSU)   517
   John Beilein (current Michigan)   517
   Rick Majerus (four schools)   517
56.   John Chaney (Temple)   516
60.   Don DeVoe (five schools)   512
61.   Mark Few (current Gonzaga)   511
62.   Nolan Richardson (Tulsa, Arkansas)   509
63.   Hec Edmundson (Idaho, Washington)   508
64.   Harold Anderson (Toledo, Bowling Green)   504
65.   Billy Donovan (Marshall, Florida)   502

• In his first season as the top man of the Rams' program, Eustachy became the only head coach in NCAA Division I history to lead five different programs - CSU, Southern Miss, Iowa State, Utah State and Idaho - to 24 or more wins in a season.
•   With a career record of 517-324 (.615), Eustachy ranks as one of just 75 head coaches (out of 351 Division I programs) to have a .600 or better win percentage with a minimum of five years experience. He is one of just 32 coaches in the ranking with at least 20 years of Division I experience.

Moving Up the CSU Coaching Ranks
•   CSU head coach Larry Eustachy continues to move up the record chart for the Rams in victories.
•   Already starting the season with the highest winning percentage among coaches with at least four years at the school, Eustachy reached the 100-win plateau at CSU faster than any other coach in school history and passed Dale Layer (103, 2001-07) for third during the 2016-17 campaign.
•   Three of his teams have the three-highest single-season win totals in program history with 27 (2014-15), 26 (2012-13) and adding 24 victories last season.
Rk   Name   Yrs   Gms   Won   Lost   Pct.
1.   Jim Williams (1955-80)   26   645   352   293   .546
2.   Stew Morrill (1992-98)   7   207   121   86   .585
3.   Larry Eustachy (2012-17)   6   181   115   66   .635
4.   Dale Layer (2001-07)   7   209   103   106   .493
5.   Boyd Grant (1988-91)   4   127   81   46   .638

Eustachy Versus Non-Conference Opponent Leagues
Conference   Record
American Athletic Conference   46-48
Atlantic Coast Conference   1-7
Big Sky Conference   49-15
Big South Conference   4-0
Big West Conference   30-15
Missouri Valley Conference    11-13
Pac-12 Conference    15-19
Southeastern Conference   17-17
Southland Conference    18-5
Sun Belt Conference    12-4
Western Athletic Conference    19-6
Division II/Other    63-2
Totals           285-151

Eustachy vs. This Year's Non-Conference Opponents
       Overall   Home   Road   Neutral
Arkansas   1-2   0-0   0-2   1-0
Arkansas-Fort Smith   3-0   3-0   0-0   0-0
Colorado   9-8   6-2   3-5   0-1
Florida State   0-2   0-0   0-1   0-1
Long Beach State   5-7   3-2   0-5   2-0
Missouri State   1-2   0-0   0-2   1-0
New Mexico St.   11-5   7-1   3-4   1-0
Northwestern State   1-0   1-0   0-0   0-0
Oregon   0-2   0-0   0-2   0-0
Sacramento State   4-0   2-0   2-0   0-0
Texas State       First Meeting
Tulane   11-6   5-2   4-3   2-1
Winthrop   1-0   1-0   0-0   0-0
Totals   47-33   28-7   12-23   7-3

CSU All-Time Vs. 2017-18 Opponents
       Overall   Home   Road   Neutral
Air Force   78-31   42-10   32-17   4-4
Arkansas   0-1   -   0-1   -
Arkansas-Fort Smith   3-0   3-0   -   -
Boise State   10-9   8-2   1-7   1-0
Colorado   38-89   28-36   9-53   1-0
Florida State   0-2   -   -   0-2
Fresno State   17-15   13-2   2-11   2-2
Long Beach State   2-2   1-1   1-1   -
Missouri State   1-1   -   0-1   1-0
Nevada   9-10   5-2   4-7   0-1
New Mexico   46-75   33-25   12-48   1-2
New Mexico State   5-2   4-0   1-2   -
Northwestern State   3-0   2-0   1-0   -
Oregon   1-9   0-1   0-5   1-3
Sacramento State   5-0   4-0   1-0   -
San Diego State   41-40   26-11   13-25   2-4
San Jose State   15-0   7-0   6-0   2-0
Texas State   1-0   1-0   -   -
Tulane   0-1   -   -   0-1
UNLV   16-37   11-14   5-22   0-1
Utah State   38-53   28-18   10-34   0-1
Winthrop   1-0   1-0   0-0   0-0
Wyoming   92-134   51-55   38-75   3-4
Totals   422-511   268-177   136-309   18-25

Last Time Out...
•   A close game at the halftime break was busted open in the second half by the hosts as Colorado State fell on the road to Oregon, 95-65, Dec. 8.
•   CSU came out with good defense to start the game and was tied at five at the first media timeout of the game. Oregon went on a 17-5 run over the next six minutes to open up a 22-10 advantage. However, the Rams chipped away at the margin to get it down to two at 31-29 with 3:38 remaining in the first half before the Ducks went into the break with a 38-32 lead. The hosts pulled away from Colorado State by opening the second half with an 11-2 run, never looking back the rest of the way. The Ducks built as much as a 36=point lead in the final 20 minutes
•   Colorado State shot just 38.5 percent (20-of-52) from the field and 31.6 percent (6-of-19) from behind the three-point arc. Oregon was stellar, shooting 52.9 percent (37-of-70), including 65.7 percent (23-of-35) in the second half. The Ducks were also 40.7 percent (11-of-27) from the three-point line, connecting on 53.8 percent (7-of-13) in the final 20 minutes. UO dominated the glass 41-27.
•   Junior guard Prentiss Nixon led Colorado State with 25 points on 7-of-16 field goals, four of those three-pointers. Redshirt-sophomore center Nico Carvacho was the only other Ram in double figures with 12 points. Oregon was led by former New Mexico standout Elijah Brown with 20 points as six Ducks scored in double figures.
(See page 18 for complete box score)

Last Meeting With Texas State
•   Colorado State University shot a season-best 60 percent from the field and broke the game open in the first half en route to an 83-65 win over visiting Texas State Tuesday night (Dec. 21, 2004) in men's basketball action in Moby Arena.
•   Colorado State erased Texas State's only lead of the game six minutes into the contest when guard Jon Rakiecki's three-pointer gave the Rams a 9-8 lead. The Rams would widen the lead to as many as 12 in the first half before settling for a 40-19 intermission lead behind 10 points from center Matt Nelson.
•   Nelson, a 7-foot senior, finished with a game-best 18 points and also led all players with nine rebounds. Teammate Matt Williams, a senior forward from Temple, Tex., scored 16 points, while freshman Jason Smith added 14.
•   The trio combined for 48 points, and helped Colorado State score 44 of the team's points inside the paint.
•   Colorado State led the game by as many as 21 points in the game before Layer turned the contest over to his bench.
•   TSU was led by guard Josh Naylor, who scored 17 points while forward Anthony Dill had 16 points.

Moby Arena Homecourt Advantage
•   CSU has a record of 542-217 (.714) record all-time at Moby Arena.
• The Rams are 76-19 (.800) under Larry Eustachy in games played at Moby Arena.
• CSU completed the 2016-17 regular-season home slate at 14-5 (7-2 in Mountain West), giving the program a winning home record for the eighth straight season, including all five under head coach Larry Eustachy.
•   Colorado State finished the 2015-16 regular season 12-5 at Moby Arena.
•    At 15-5 in 2016-17 at Moby Arena, it marked the fifth time in program history that CSU won at least 15 home games. Last season's 15 victories was the sixth season of 15-plus wins at the Rams' arena.
• The Rams finished the 2014-15 regular-season one win shy (15-2) of the best home mark in program history (16-1 in 2012-13). CSU went 15-2 at Moby in 1987-88.

Returning/Lost...By the Numbers
•   The Rams added several key newcomers for 2017-18 as Colorado State looked to fill some gaps from last year's production on the floor.
•   Here is a quick look at what the Rams returned in major statistical categories:
   Category   Total (R/L)   % Returning
   > Scoring   2611 (1255 / 1356)   48.1%
   > Rebounding   1293 (518 / 775)   40.1%
   > Assists   397 (235 / 162)   59.2%
   > Blocks   123 (62 / 61)   50.4%
   > Steals   218 (98 / 120)   45.0%
   > Minutes   7200 (3941 / 3259)   54.7%

Roster Size... But Inexperienced
•   CSU has 11 players available for action during the 2017-18 season. Of those, eight were part of the program last season, with six having played, with two newcomers to the lineup.
•   Senior Che Bob and juniors J.D. Paige and Prentiss Nixon will be looked at to lead the squad. Redshirt-sophomores Nico Carvacho and Anthony Bonner also saw extensive action last year. Redshirt-sophomore Juan Sabino II came in at midseason and played limited minutes in 2016-17.
•   Redshirt-junior Robbie Berwick and redshirt-sophomore Lorenzo Jenkins have seen their first playing time at Colorado State after sitting out last year due to NCAA Division I transfer rules. Transfers junior Deion James and redshirt-sophomore Raquan Mitchell as well as freshman Logan Ryan join the program and have contributed in the early going.
•   However, the Rams combine for just 7.5 seasons of NCAA Division I experience to start the season, four of those coming from juniors J.D. Paige and Prentiss Nixon.

Newcomers
•   Robbie Berwick and Lorenzo Jenkins saw their first action for the Rams against Sacramento State after sitting out last year due to NCAA D-I transfer rules. Transfers Raquan Mitchell and Deion James also saw their first playing time at Colorado State against the Hornets, while true freshman Logan Ryan got his first collegiate playing time in the home win over Winthrop and first CSU start at Oregon.

It's TV Time For the Rams
•   All but one of Colorado State's home conference games will be available via network broadcasts, with 15 of 18 MW handled by major partners. Of the 21 games during the entire season being available on television channels this year, 10 are on CBS Sports Network, four on AT&T SportsNet (formerly ROOT Sports), six on the ESPN family of networks and one on the Pac-12 Network.
•   Both games of the Jamaica Classic played in Montego Bay will be on CBS Sports Network, as CSU takes on Tulane (Nov. 17) and Florida State (Nov. 19).
• The Rams will first make a home national TV appearance on Saturday, Dec. 2, as the in-state rivalry game with Colorado will be televised on AT&T SportsNet at 11 a.m., the first part of a two-game doubleheader with the CSU women's team hosting BYU at 2 p.m.
• CSU starts conference action on the road at Boise State Dec. 27, with the game televised on CBS Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. MT.
•   The selection of games by the Mountain West's television partners shifted two of the Rams' league games to Tuesday nights, including San Diego State (CBS Sports Network on Jan. 2) and at Air Force (AT&T SportsNet on Feb. 6). Additionally, the game at New Mexico on Jan. 27 is an ESPN Netflex game, where the game will be televised on ESPNU or ESPN3.

Road Struggles
•   CSU has yet to find a win away from Moby Arena this year in six tries, four of them true road contests.
•   Last season, CSU picked up its fifth straight MW road win and sixth in conference play at New Mexico, Feb. 21, a streak snapped at Nevada March 4, but the Rams finished 9-6 in games away from home in 2016-17.
•   In 2016-17, the Rams won five straight MW road games for the first time ever under head coach Larry Eustachy and for the second time in school history.
•   The only other time CSU won five consecutive conference road games occurred over the last four games of the 1988-89 and first game of the 1989-90 season in the WAC.
•   However under Eustachy, CSU is 26-38 (.406) in true road games, above the national average of 32.4 percent.
•   For comparison in 2015-16, the Rams were 6-11 in games away from Moby Arena.

Long Road Trip Completed
•   The Rams came off a three-game, eight day road trip from Nov. 15-22 that not only took days but numerous miles of travel:
•   First Leg (Fort Collins to Montego Bay) - 70 miles on the road, 2,313 miles in the air
•   Second Leg (Montego Bay to Las Cruces) - 2,028 miles in the air, 52 miles on the road
•   Final Leg (Las Cruces to Fort Collins) - 574 miles in the air
•   Total Travel Miles: 5,037

Rebounding Emphasis Noted
•    Head coach Larry Eustachy makes rebounding one of his top priorities in all practices and games and it shows in his record, as CSU is 98-32 under the leader when winning the glass.
•   The Rams won the battle of the boards in 22 of their 36 games last season, going 19-3 in those contests.
•   Colorado State was +2.6 on the glass in its 36 games with at least one player with a double-figure rebounding total in 26 of 36 games.
•   Last season, CSU finished third in the Mountain West and at 38.2 rebounds per game as well as second in the MW a +2.7 rebounding margin.
•   This season, it is again a key for the Rams, as they have on the boards seven times, including all four victories.

Quick Bits Under Eustachy
•   The Rams had a seven-game Mountain West winning streak during last season, the longest MW win streak in program history from Feb. 4-28 (7-0 in February).
•   CSU is 101-7 (40-3 MW) when leading with five minutes to play under head coach Larry Eustachy and 106-7 (45-4 MW) when leading with two minutes to go.
•   The 21-point loss at Fresno State, Jan. 18, 2017 was a rarity, as it was just the second time that a Eustachy-led CSU team lost to a MW foe by more than 15 points (16-2 in his five years in MW games decided by 16 points or more.
•   The Rams are 98-30 (40-14 MW) when shooting more free throws than their opponent and 101-27 (44-12 MW) when opponent commits more fouls overall.
•   When Colorado State forces more turnovers than it gives up, the good guys have posted a 68-19 overall record.
•   When the Rams shoot at least 45 percent from the floor, they are 65-6 (27-4 MW) in five years under Eustachy.

Nixon Does It All
•    Junior Prentiss Nixon became an integral part of the CSU lineup the last two seasons.
•    The guard averaged 13.2 points per game in 2016-17 (13th in MW), scoring in double figures in 27 games, including a current streak of 10 straight.
•    In all MW contests, he averaged 13.3 points per game - 17th in regular-season league only.
•    He scored a then-career-high 30 points against Kansas State and surpassed his high from 2015-16 six times.
•    In the Mountain West Tournament, Nixon averaged 14.7 points per game, earning All-Tournament honors.
•    Against Nevada in the MW championship, Nixon scored 23 points, including tying the school record for a MW Tournament game with six three-pointers.
•    This year, Nixon continued his double-figure scoring streak, moving it to 12 with a pair of 16-point performances before it was snapped against Tulane, Nov. 17. However, he started a new streak with 22 points, including five three-pointers, against Florida State, Nov. 19, followed by 15 at New Mexico State, Nov. 22. He missed the Northwestern State game with a concussion but returned to the lineup with 20 points at Missouri State, Nov. 28.
•   Recently, he scored a career-high 31 points on 8-of-13 field goal attempts (5-of-8 three pointers) and 10-of-11 free throws along with four rebounds at Arkansas, Dec. 5. He then followed it up with 25 at Oregon, Dec. 8.
•    Nixon leads CSU in scoring at 18.6 points per game and has hit a team-best 29 three-pointers. He also has led the Rams in scoring in seven games this season.
•   With 791 career points, if he averages 15.0 points per game from this point on, he will surpass the 1,000 point mark against Wyoming at home on Jan. 31.
•    He also continues to do the job on the defensive end, as he has drawn 19 offensive fouls (a season-high four at Oregon) in his first nine games along with grabbing 14 steals. Last year, he finished with 37 drawn fouls.

Nixon's MW/National Rankings   Stat   MW   NCAA
Points Per Game   18.6   4th   97th
3-Pt FG Per Game   3.22   2nd   34th
3-Pt Field Goal Attempts   74   1st   49th
Free-Throw Percentage   86.4   4th   93rd
3-Pt FG Percentage   39.2   7th   127th

Bob Learning the Ropes
• Junior Che (said CHAY not SHAY) Bob is figuring out ways to contribute to the Rams' effort in all phases.
•   Getting the start in eight of 10 games played this year, Bob is averaging 10.6 points per game (2nd for CSU) and 7.9 rebounds per contest (sixth in the Mountain West).
•   Bob had a streak of four straight games with a double-double (five total in his CSU career), with the performance of 13 points and 12 boards at Missouri State, Nov. 28.
•   He tied a career high with 21 points at New Mexico State, Nov. 24, including connecting on seven free throws and a pair of three pointers.
•   In the win over Colorado Dec. 2, Bob scored 11 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots.

Bob's MW/National Rankings   Stat   MW   NCAA
Blocked Shots Per Game   1.70   4th   95th
Double-Doubles   4   3rd   38th
Rebounds Per Game   7th   7.9   122nd

Paige Wheels & Deals
•    Redshirt-junior J.D. (or as Coach Eustachy calls him Jeremiah) Paige adjusted well to his new role within CSU's offense the last two years.
•   Last year, Paige led CSU assists (2.5 apg), was third in steals (0.9 spg) and blocked shots (0.7) and fourth in scoring (8.8 ppg).
•   The Denver, Colo., native had a solid outing against Alcorn State (11/23), recording career bests of 23 points and six assists in the home victory.
•   Paige tied his career high with 23 points, including a career-best five three-pointers in the win over Fresno State, Feb. 11, 2017.
•   This season, Paige picked up a season-high 19 points versus Northwestern State (11/24).
•   He tied for team-high honors with 16 points and earned a career-best seven boards in the win over Colorado, Dec. 2.
•   With his recent performances, Paige is now averaging an improved 10.5 points per game, third on the team and has a team-high 2.2 assists per game.

Guards Stepping Up Scoring
•   Redshirt-junior J.D. Paige and junior Prentiss Nixon both showed what another year of college basketball can do for confidence and skills.
•   In 2015-16, Paige averaged 4.9 points a game and shot just 33.8 percent from the field, while Nixon was 4.8 points and 38.9 percent from the floor.
•   Last season, the duo has increased their scoring averages by more than double combined, as Nixon finished at 13.2 points per game while Paige posted 8.8 points per contest.
•   So far in 2017-18, Nixon is leading the team at 18.6 points per game and Paige is third at 10.5 per contest.

Carvacho Growing On the Floor
•   Redshirt-sophomore center Nico Carvacho is showing his increased comfort level on the floor for the Rams.
•   Carvacho had a breakout game at Colorado, Nov. 30, 2016, scoring 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbing 9 rebounds.
•   Against Northern Colorado Dec. 10, 2016, he posted his first collegiate double-double of 13 points (5-of-6 FG) and 11 boards.
•   In the win over Wyoming, Feb. 28, 2017, Carvacho posted his second double-double of his collegiate career with 10 points (3-3 FG) and 10 rebounds.
•   This season, Carvacho is leading on the glass for CSU on the glass with 81 boards (32 offensive) in the first nine games. His 9.0 boards per game average ranks third in the Mountain West.
•   He had his third career double-double with 11 points and a career-best 20 boards in the home win over Winthrop, Nov. 14.
•   Recently, he swatted a career-best four blocked shots along with eight points and nine rebounds in the win over Colorado, Dec. 2.
•   He tallied a season-high 12 points with a team-high five boards at Oregon, Dec. 8.

Taking Charity
•   For the 2016-17 season, CSU was 73.1 percent from the charity line, ranking 34th nationally in free throws made and 33rd in free throws attempted.
•   The Rams also made 596 free throws while their opponents combined for just 663 total attempts.
•   In the win at Colorado Nov. 30, the Rams made their first 18 free throws in a row, a key reason that CSU won the road game.
•   For 10 games, the Rams have shot 71.0 percent from the free throw line, better than the opponents 69.1 percent. However, CSU has gone to the line just 33 more times total than its foes, something uncommonly low in the five-plus years under head coach Larry Eustachy.

Coaches Shows Back at Lucky Joe's
•   The Coors Light Basketball Coaches' Show is back again, hosted at Lucky Joe's Sidewalk Saloon in Old Town Fort Collins. The show starts at 6 pm with women's coach Ryun Williams, followed by men's coach Larry Eustachy for the second half-hour. Remaining dates of the shows are:
•   December: Wednesday, Dec. 20
•   January: Mondays, Jan. 8, 15, 22 & 29
•   February: Thursday, Feb. 8 and Mondays, Feb. 12 & 19
•   March: Thursday, March 1

Rams Take 2017 MW Awards
• Colorado State again was among the top honorees, this time by the coaches of the Mountain West Conference, as senior guard Gian Clavell was selected as the league's 2017 Player of the Year, while Larry Eustachy was recognized as the Coach of the Year.
• Senior forward Emmanuel Omogbo was named First Team All-MW along with Clavell, while the pair also was named to the league's All-Defensive team.
• This is the first time in school history that CSU has had two players named to the first team all-conference in any season, as well as two in a single season named to the all-defensive squad.
• The duo was also named to the U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-District team for District VIII.
• The 2017 Mountain West Player of the Year according to the league media, Clavell led the MW in league scoring at 21.2 points per game, including two games of 30 points or more, as well as ranking seventh in rebounding at 6.9 per MW game. Often guarding the opponent's top backcourt player, Clavell also was second in steals (1.8 spg) and 3-pointers made (3.1 3pg) while ranking seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (.409).
• Eustachy led the Rams to a 21-10 overall regular season record, 13-5 in the Mountain West and the No. 2 seed in the MW tournament. The 13 wins tied the program record for conference wins, while CSU set a new school mark with five consecutive league road wins in a single season. This is the first time in his five years in the MW and the sixth time overall that Eustachy has been selected as his conference's coach of the year.
• Selected by the league media to First Team All-Mountain West, Omogbo became the new standard for double-doubles in the Mountain West this past season, recording a new league record with 13 during conference action. He led the conference in rebounding at 10.9 boards per conference game and ranked 11th in scoring at 15.7 points a contest. He was also third in league field goal percentage, hitting .495 of his shot attempts, and tied for eighth at 1.3 steals per game.

Rams on the Radio
• Rams basketball can be heard live worldwide on the Rams Sports Properties Colorado State Sports Network. The 2017-18 season features live game coverage of all of Colorado State's regular-season and postseason contests.
• Brian Roth, the Voice of the Rams, is in his fifth season as the basketball team's full-time play-by-play announcer. He is joined for the second season by former Ram Adam Nigon who will provide color commentary for the Rams.
• In addition to the Colorado State Sports Network, Rams fans worldwide can listen to the action live streaming on CSURams.com in partnership with SIDEARM Sports.

Looking Ahead
• Colorado State is back on the court quickly with the second of three consecutive home games to conclude non-conference play, hosting Arkansas-Fort Smith, Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. MT
• The contest between the Rams and Lions, currently ranked as high as No. 5 in NCAA Division II, will be televised on the MW Network.
• The game will air across the Colorado State Sports Network (along with online at CSURams.com), with Brian Roth and Adam Nigon on the call.

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