2016 Mountain West Tournament: Colorado State - Fresno State preview

After an impressive 88-81 victory over Boise State last night, Colorado State Rams men’s basketball advances onward in the Mountain West Tournament to face the Fresno State Bulldogs tonight. The semifinal match-up — which tips at 9:30 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Network — gives the Rams a shot at redemption after an embarrassing performance in Fresno, March 2.

Fresno State came into this tournament as the No. 2 seed, but they have been playing like the best team in the conference for over a month now. Senior guard and 2016 Mountain West Player of the Year Marvelle Harris is a pure scorer, and he dropped 23 on CSU in their lone meeting of the season so far.

Alongside him is fellow senior guard Julien Lewis, who is shooting nearly 43 percent from 3-point range. Simply stated, the Bulldogs have the best backcourt duo in the Mountain West.

At 75.9 points per-game, Fresno State is a good, almost great offensive team. But what they lack on offense, they make up for on defense. The Bulldogs only give up 71.1 points per-contest, and will look to cool down the red-hot Rams. Colorado State enters this key contest during what has been the best three-game stretch of the season thus far and three straight wins.

In the 88-81 victory over Boise, CSU shot an impressive 44.8 percent from three-point range, going 13-29 with the long ball. If the Rams are going to overcome a talented and experienced Fresno State team, they are going to have to continue to shoot lights-out from downtown while also finding different ways to score.

Antwan Scott was his usual “Smooth” self on Thursday night, scoring a team-high 23 points, including four 3-pointers to become the Rams’ single-season record-holder in the department with 94. Without a doubt, Scott’s scoring will be needed tonight, as will John Gillon’s ability to use his speed to attack the rim.

The last time these two teams met, CSU struggled to get any type of offensive rhythm going, shooting just 26-62 (41.9 percent) from the floor. Colorado State also committed 14 turnovers in the match-up, a common struggle for the Rams this season.

Even in the victory over Boise State, CSU still committed 11 turnovers which led to 21 Broncos’ points. Larry Eustachy’s teams are often criticized for a lack of team cohesion on the offensive side of the ball. At times this season, the offense has struggled to move the ball, which has resulted in players trying to beat their defender one-on-one. If there’s too much one-on-one tonight, it spells doom for the green and gold.

In the last three games, the Rams have made a conscious effort to get the ball in the paint, especially early in the game. When Colorado State can whip the ball around the floor, and get touches both inside and out, that is when the Rams are at their best.

Boise State dominated the Rams in the paint, outscoring CSU 38-18 down low. Luckilly for Eustachy’s Rams, CSU was shooting sensationally from beyond the arc, but that cannot be the entire offense moving forward.

If the Rams are going to get a victory Friday night, players like Tiel Daniels and Emmanuel Omogbo need be constantly attacking the basket with physicality and fury. If Colorado State can get some points down low, it is really going to open things up and create open opportunities outside for CSU’s many sharp shooters.

This is going to be a difficult match-up for the Rams, but with the way they have been scoring lately, things could get interesting. Neither one of these teams will qualify for the 2016 NCAA Tournament without winning the Mountain West Tournament. Colorado State got snubbed after winning 27 games last season, not receiving an invite to the Big Dance.

Clearly, they would love to play spoilers and crash their way into the NCAA Tournament this year.

Now, at 2-0 in postseason play, the Rams bring great confidence, focus and determination into tonight’s game against the brilliant Bulldogs.

Fight on, you stalwart Ram team.