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CSU Gears Up For Final Game Of Season Against Utah State

By Will Connolly

Out of the top three teams battling for the No. 1 seed in the Mountain West Conference tournament, Colorado State probably has the most difficult task at hand. As the Rams are set to face-off with the Utah State Aggies on Saturday, March 7 at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in Logan, Utah. The Aggies currently sit at No. 5 in the MWC, with a 11-5 in conference record and 18-11 record overall. These two teams have not yet faced each other this season, but there is a possibility that the two will meet again in the conference tournament.

The Rams are not only hoping for a victory over the Aggies, but a loss by both San Diego State and Boise State, who currently hold the No. 1 and 2 seeds in the MWC tournament, respectively. Although both of those teams losing seems unlikely, the Broncos only loss in the past 14 games came at the hands of Fresno State; whom they will face on Saturday. Yes, the game is being played at home, but if the Rams are looking for any sort of silver-lining, that might just be it. As for SDSU, they are set to face-off with Nevada, who they escaped with a victory when they last traveled to the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada a few weeks prior. Only squeaking out a two-point victory, the Rams are surely hoping that the Wolf Pack can pull out the upset over the heavily favored Aztecs.

No matter what happens this Saturday night, San Jose State (who is yet to win a game in conference play) will be the only Mountain West team left out of tournament play. With the 7, 8, 9 and 10 seeds playing entry games for the MWC tournament, the top two teams will be safely awaiting their opponents after a first round bye. So there really is a lot to play for in the final game of the season. For if the conference seeds were to remain the same, the Rams would find themselves facing Fresno State in the first round, instead of one of the lower 7-10 seeds.

ESPN currently has all top three MWC teams in the projected 2015 NCAA Tournament bracket. SDSU is seeded highest amongst the three at No. 7, while CSU and BSU both sit at No. 11 seeds. However, according to the ESPN Bubble Watch, none of the three have secured a spot in the bracket. I know, it's confusing. Truly, the only way to ensure one's position in the tournament is by winning your conference tournament. And for CSU, that all starts with a win over Utah State on Saturday night. You can count on others to lose and hope to get an at-large bid, but when it comes down to it: You win, you get in. So who will be dancin' come selection Sunday (March 15)? Colorado State? Boise State? San Diego State? Somebody else? All we can do is tune in and find out.

 

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