FORT COLLINS, Colo. — So close.
Colorado State men’s basketball led No. 5 San Diego State for just under 25 minutes of action late Tuesday night.
For much of the game, the Rams were able to lock down the league’s frontrunner for the Player of the Year Award, Malachi Flynn, and did an excellent job of forcing the Aztecs to settle for contested jump shots as well.
Despite holding SDSU to 35 percent shooting from the floor (19-of-54) and 33 percent from beyond the arc (11-of-33), unfortunately, the Rams simply could not buy a bucket down the stretch. After leading for much of the second half, CSU only made one of its final 12 field goal attempts and just generally struggled to find ways to score.
Part of the problem was CSU simply struggled to get in any kind of rhythm from deep. After shooting 40 percent from 3-point land in the first half (4-of-10), the Rams looked like they wouldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat in the second. Over the final 20 minutes, CSU only made one 3-pointer and missed a ton of open looks around the perimeter, including multiple chances to tie the game.
The other issue was that SDSU’s transition defense over the final 15 minutes was absolutely tremendous. Whenever the Aztecs missed a jump shot on offense, one person down low would attempt to rebound but everyone else would sprint to get back on the other end of the floor.
With the Rams failing to knock down jump shots and the Aztecs consistently pressuring CSU’s ball handlers in the half court offense to boot, it really put SDSU in a strong position to close out the game — especially after Flynn was able to hit three late 3’s after not making a single field goal in the first 25 minutes of gameplay.
In the end, this why the Brian Dutcher’s Aztecs were able to overcome a valiant effort from the visiting Rams and hang on for a 66-60 victory — ruining what would have been the greatest upset in the history of CSU men’s hoops in the process.
As frustrating as it was to see a momentous upset slip through their fingers, the truth is that contending with the Aztecs on their home floor is something worth recognizing.
CSU is only the fourth team this season to finish within 10 points of the Aztecs at Viejas Arena. For comparison, that’s the exact same about of games that have been decided by 10 points or fewer at Cameron Indoor Arena in 2019-20. So, putting things simply, SDSU’s SDSU’s home-court advantage is genuinely as intense as anywhere else in the country.
For the Rams to go out on national TV and play the way they did against a group of veterans like Matt Mitchell, Malachi Flynn, Jordan Shakel and Yanni Wetzell, it only confirms the program is heading in the right direction under Niko Medved.
Sure, it would have been nice to see the Rams beat a top 25 team. A win over the Aztecs would have all but guaranteed that CSU ended up finishing in the top 5 of the Mountain West and likely secured their spot in the NIT in the process.
But at this point, the Rams have already drastically outplayed preseason expectations from most of the so-called experts. Anything else that CSU accomplishes this spring is just gravy.
Don’t get me wrong. I was as disappointed as anyone to see the Aztecs pull it off — mostly because I know how hard the Rams have worked behind the scenes this year and that a win would have meant the world to the seniors on the team.
When the season is done, though, I am confident that everyone in the locker room would tell you two things: 1. they consistently gave it their all on both ends, 2. CSU men’s hoops is night and day from what it used to be. Really, that’s all you can ask for.
Positive change takes time. Building a program the right way does too. But after watching this group fight for one another all season, it really feels like the Rams are on the verge of something special with this young nucleus.
Keep trusting the process, Ram Country. It’s only a matter of time before the green and gold will be playing relevant basketball in March again.
