CSU Rams Take Over As Top Team In Colorado
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - One year after finishing out the season at 16-16, the Colorado State University Rams seemed to have turned over a new leaf. Currently sitting at second place in the Mountain West Conference with an awesome 24-5 record, the Rams have easily taken over as the best team in Colorado.
Many will argue that CSU hasn't played anyone of merit in a season full of mediocre wins over subpar teams. However, CSU did overcome in-state rival CU -- a hard fought battle early on in the season, which had them riding a 14-game winning streak and boasting a rank of 24th in the country.
The Rams did hit a short mid-season slump as they dropped two in a row to Wyoming and New Mexico State, but quickly recovered with four consecutive wins and a 11-5 MWC record up to this point in the season.
With big wins over New Mexico State, Boise State and San Diego State, the Rams are really making a strong case for a seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Although CSU has reached the tournament on 10 different occasions, they boast a lowly 4-11 record, making a first round exit five out of those 10 times. The farthest the team has ever made it is an Elite Eight appearance in 1969 in which they fell to Drake University by a score of 84-77. However, they did beat CU in the Sweet Sixteen of that tournament to reach the final eight. Could that be forth telling of things to come this March? We shall see.
In what could easily be seen as the best season in CSU basketball history, the Rams have been led by senior forward J.J. Avila, whose averaging 16.1 points, 7.4 points and 3.0 assists per game. It's really no surprise that Avila has turned out to be such a star though, as he took very little time to adapt to the college format, putting up consistent numbers throughout his collegiate career. Avila has scored in double-digits in all but one game this season. And J.J. steps up to the plate every time his team calls his name, putting forth his best performances when the team's reputation is on the line. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014 was a perfect example of Avila's ability to rise above his opponents, as he put up a season-high 29 points to help his Rams overcome the Boise State Broncos in a clash of Mountain West rivals.
He must be pretty happy about making his transfer from Navy, where his team only won three games in his freshman season with the Midshipman. After having to sit out his sophomore season due to the NCAA transfer rule, Avila returned to his stellar form and never looked back.
With two games left in the season, it seems highly unlikely that the Rams won't be dancing this March. But the real question is, will they be dancing into April?
