The Colorado State Rams are preparing to make their second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance this week when they’ll take on the Missouri Tigers. CSU is seeking its first tournament win in school history. Can the Rams pull off the upset?
Let’s take a look at five facts to help you fill out your bracket.
1. By just glancing at a bracket and seeing Colorado State as a No. 8 seed, you’d probably think that was impressive for the Rams, a team that does not make the tournament annually. But the Rams should feel slighted in a sense. Their conference foe, San Diego State, came in as a 7-seed despite splitting with the Rams and finishing two games behind CSU in the conference. Extra motivation?
2. Unlike the selection committee, one source that did not slight CSU was KenPom.com, who has the Rams coming in at No. 24 overall. This can mostly be attributed to their adjusted offensive efficiency which ranks 7th in the nation at 117.8.
3. Such a high efficiency rate is a result of the excellent balance of the Rams on offense. They have four players averaging in double figures, led by Minnesota transfer Colton Iverson at 14.7 points per game.
4. It’s not all about offense for the Rams, though. This is a tough bunch. CSU dominates the glass, and if you can’t match them physically, you will likely want to forget the game fast. The Rams enter the tournament as the 4th ranked rebounding team in the nation.
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. Where do the Rams struggle? Away from home, which unfortunately Lexington, KY is for them. The Rams are 0-6 on the road against RPI top-50 this season.
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