Colorado State was disrespected by the NCAA Tournament selection committee. The majority of the Mountain West was. After being projected safely into the field by every leading bracketologist, the Rams were one of two MW schools given play-in games in Dayton, Ohio this week.
CSU will be playing Virginia on Tuesday night for a chance to play No. 7 Texas as a 10-seed in Charlotte, N.C. on Thursday. Boise State will also be in a play-in game against Colorado on Wednesday night for a chance to be a 10-seed against No. 7 Florida.
Although the matchup does technically count as an NCAA Tournament game and therefore the winner will get shares from the event, the fact that the Rams received the last at-large bid available was extremely surprising given their resume.
CSU beat four high majors over the winter — three of which were neutral site games. They beat every team in their league at least once. But the committee made it clear that they did not pay attention or care about what the MW accomplished in the non-conference slate, or how it was one of the most consistently competitive basketball leagues in the country.
Despite the surprising result, the silver lining is that CSU was not left out of the big dance altogether. And although Virginia’s smoldering defense will most certainly provide some challenges, with their offensive struggles this season, it does feel like a matchup that the Rams could have a good chance of winning.
The big question will be whether or not CSU can consistently knock down shots. When you have Isaiah Stevens, though, you always like your odds of at least being able to create quality attempts from the floor.
Other keys for CSU having success in the postseason include establishing a strong post presence with Joel Scott, Patrick Cartier and Rashaan Mbemba. Getting consistent production out of the rotation would be big as well. As would a complete performance from Nique Clifford, like what we saw in the most recent win over Nevada. However, the biggest factor for CSU making a run will be if Stevens plays to his full potential.
When CSU was taken down by Michigan in the opening round two years ago, CSU’s stars did not shine the way we all know that they are capable of. Stevens shot just 3-of-11 in the game, including a shocking 1-of-7 from 2-point range. It’s one of just two games in his career in which he fouled out, too. And unfortunately, with Stevens and David Roddy only combining for 21 points on the day, the Rams simply did not have enough firepower to overcome a talented Wolverines squad.
That’s not to say that all of the pressure is on Stevens. The Rams are at their best when they share the ball and are able to exploit opposing defenses with unselfish movement, consistent flow and by attacking both inside and out. That becomes more challenging when CSU is only able to rely on one or two guys to produce. When your season is on the line, though, and it’s win or go home, that is certainly when you want the ball to be consistently in the hands of your leading man.
The 2023-24 Rams have proven that at their best, they can hang with just about anybody. They have also had some games where they look like a completely different team.
I have no clue what will happen in the wonderfully chaotic month of March. It definitely did not begin the way that I expected, so maybe it’s time to just throw my hands in the air and say let’s just wait and see.
I do know that anything is possible in this tournament. I also know that the Rams are a battle-tested group that beat seven teams in this year’s field.
The Rams were put in a tough situation. They’ll have to win an extra game to make the second weekend of the tournament, which is something they were unable to do in any of their appearences this century, and that’s without the added challenge of a play-in game.
You can wallow in self pity, hang your head and accept defeat. Or you can use it as added motivation during a time where you should already be amped and ready to go.
I was in Gainbridge Fieldhouse the night that Saint Peter’s began their epic run with an upset of Kentucky. I covered the West region in person in Denver last season in a year where San Diego State and Florida Atlantic both made the Final Four. The beauty of the NCAA Tournament is that everyone has the same opportunity to make history.
Why not CSU?
Let’s shock the world.
