CSU's J.J. Avila Named Player Of The Week, Rams Back In Top 25

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - Colorado State University basketball star J.J. Avila has been named Mountain West Player of the Week just as the Rams jumped back into the Top 25.

Colorado State is back in rankings at No. 24 in the latest USA Today Coaches Poll after a 79-73 win over defending MW Champion San Diego State on Saturday night.

They are also one spot outside of the rankings in the Associated Press Top 25.

The Rams, 18-2, have the best record through 20 games in program history. They are currently tied for second place behind Wyoming in the MW standings with San Diego State and Fresno State.

Avila's Player of the Week honors were the first of his career. He scored 29 points in the key win over San Diego State during the Rams' annual "White Out" of Moby Arena.

"Avila was lights out from all over the court, shooting 12-for-16 (.750) overall, including 2-for-4 from three-point range, and hitting 3-of-4 attempts from the free-throw line," CSU said in a statement. "He hit both three-pointers (a season-high) in the first 4 minutes of the game as the Rams jumped out to 14-6 lead that eventually grew to 27-10 just more than 9 minutes into the contest."

The Rams travel to take on the Boise State Broncos Tuesday night. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. on ESPNU.