MW Tournament preview: No. 6 Fresno State vs. No. 3 Colorado State

After a fantastic finish to the regular season, which included five straight wins and multiple honors for Colorado State men’s basketball players, tourney time begins.

For 26-5 CSU, it’s been a season full of mostly ups – including a Top-25 ranking – and only a few downs. While the Rams, who sport a 26th-best RPI in the nation, likely have already punched their ticket into March Madness, a win in the Mountain West Tournament would only help their case.

Thursday, No. 3 seed Colorado State hosts the No. 6 Fresno State Bulldogs, who finished 15-16 on the season. The game tips off at 9:30 pm MT and can be seen on CBS Sports Network.

A few notes on the game:

• CSU owned a commanding 2-0 sweep of Fresno State in the regular season. The Rams won 80-57 inside the friendly confines of Moby Arena and also won in California 81-73. Colorado State averaged a conference-high 73 points per game thanks to stellar shooting both inside and out, which was usually aided by unselfish play.
• In the two wins, Colorado State commanded the glass, averaging 45 rebounds to 29 for the Bulldogs. Larry Eustachy’s style is all about rebounding and defense first, and if the Rams play with that in mind Thursday night, they should win.
• The green and gold also averaged 17 assists per game in the victories, making it easy for one another by finding open teammates instead of forcing covered shots.
• Look for J.J. Avila and Daniel Bejarano to enjoy big games. Both superb seniors shone against Fresno State earlier in the year and they likely will again with much at stake in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Cezar Guerrero of the Bulldogs lit the Rams up this season to the tune of 36 points in the two games. The junior guard possesses a smooth shot from the outside, connecting on 40.7 percent of his three-point attempts in the regular season, so keep an eye on No. 1.

Colorado State has a legitimate chance of winning the conference tournament this year and it all starts Thursday at 9:30 pm.