Colorado State's Ross Hodge named a Top-10 recruiter outside the Power 6 by ESPN

Colorado State Rams men’s basketball is enduring a difficult season, but that doesn’t take away from the truly talented coaching staff Larry Eustachy’s assembled in Fort Collins.

The 2015-16 Rams hoops team has been devastated by injury — a season-ending shoulder injury to leading scorer Gian Clavell — and tragedy — Emmanuel Omogbo’s four family members passing away in a house fire. Still, with only three games to go, they sit at 15-14 overall, 7-9 in the Mountain West.

It’s a winning record, which is something for the team to hang their hat on, considering everything surrounding the program. Certainly, the Colorado State coaches should be commended.

One of those coaches, who players are constantly mentioning as doing well to keep the “Team Together” mentality, is Ross Hodge.

And on Wednesday, Hodge was honored as a Top-10 recruiter outside the Power 6 conferences in college basketball:

@CSUBasketball @coachrosshodge

One of the best coaches/ recruiters in the country.

Former Midland HC pic.twitter.com/odCdWWQmca

— Sam Waniewski (@Sam1NEWski) March 2, 2016

With this recognition, eyes could open across the country how great an up-and-coming coach Hodge is. Could he be asked to be a head coach at the DI level? It’s certainly a possibility.

Every home game, there’s Hodge, standing at halfcourt watching his Rams warm-up. He converses with them, likely reminding them of what’s needed from them in the upcoming game or half. Hodge has won over the players and connected with them, he even flew back to Maryland with Omogbo following the family tragedy.

Hodge was the head coach of Midland College at the junior college level, compiling a 63-7 record while there before joining Eustachy at Southern Miss in 2011 and then continuing with his head coach at Colorado State.

As for this season, some credit is due, also, to head coach Larry Eustachy.

Following their bounce-back victory against New Mexico, Antwan Scott said Eustachy hasn’t been going “crazy” on the players, as many people think, he’s actually been very positive.

Antwan Scott says people think Larry Eustachy's going crazy on #CSURams after losses but he's actually been positive pic.twitter.com/39ZGo82NPg

— Rich (midnight blue 🌠and sunshine yellow ☀️) (@RichKurtzman) February 24, 2016

We’ll have to see how that positivity has been working as the Rams have a tough test tonight in Fresno against the 20-9 Fresno State Bulldogs. That game tips off at 9 p.m. MT and will be televised on CBS Sports Network.