Colorado State @ Washington: Tipoff Vitals

The Rams are sitting at 3-0 coming off of a road win at Denver and look to continue that win streak VS a down Washington Huskies team. The Huskies struggled in the Hall Of Fame Tourney, escaping Seton Hall in Overtime, just to fall to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Both teams are hungry for a win, and a win for either team would boost their strength of schedule.

When: Saturday, November 24^th, 7:30 ET

Where: Seattle, Washington

Watch: Pac 12 Networks

Washington:

Key Injuries:

F Shawn Kemp Jr. (Knee)

Strength: Backcourt

The Backcourt has been the focal point of the Huskies offense with G Abdul Gaddy (16 PPG- 3 RPG- 3 APG), G C.J. Wilcox (15.5 PPG-4.3 RPG-1.5 BPG), and G Scott Suggs (10.3 PPG-1.8 RPG) leading the way. The Huskies Backcourt takes more shots outside the paint shooting 43% (41-94) when taking jumpers and are 42 % (27 for 64) beyond the arc, though they find more success inside the paint shooting 65 % (29 for 44) inside.

Weakness: Defense In Paint

The Huskies offense may be potent, although the lack of defense has kept their games close, losing to Albany by 1 and losing the lead against Seton Hall forcing overtime. Through 4 games the Huskies have let opponents shoot 61% (42 for 69) inside the paint, hopefully the rams can take advantage of their poor inside defense.

Colorado State:

Key Injuries:

G Jesse Carr (Knee)

Strength: Frontcourt

The Rams frontcourt has out shown the backcourt, outscoring the starting backcourt. The Rams frontcourt is led by C-F Colton Iverson (17.3 PPG-10 RPG), F Greg Smith (8.3 PPG-4.3 RPG), and F Pierce Hornung (7.7 PPG-12 RPG). The Frontcourt has found success scoring in the paint, going 48 for 78 (62 %) inside through 3 games.

Weakness: Shooting Outside the Paint

The Rams are defiantly not a 3 point shooting team this year, at least it seems that way, through 3 games the Rams have shot 23 % (9 for 39) beyond the arc and are 29% (20 for 70) taking jumpers amassing for a 27% overall percentage outside the paint.

Player Trending Up: C-F Colton Iverson

Iverson has proven to be the most important addition to this Rams team as of late. Iverson is averaging a double-double per game with 17.3 points and 10 rebounds per game. In Iverson's last game against Denver he shot 6 for 11, with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Hopefully this trend can continue against Washington and can get a few more blocks, as he is a Center-Forward combo.

Player Trending Down: SG Wes Eikmeier

Eikmeier led the team in scoring last year with 15.5 PPG, but now is in an early season slump, averaging only 8.3 PPG and 1.7 APG. Eikmeier had his best game early in the season at Denver where he scored 13 points and 3 assists. Maybe that is a sign that he is improving and can perhaps be the 3 point shooter in this season, as he shot 3 for 7 beyond the arc against Denver.

Prognosis:

This game will defiantly be decided on the glass, both teams have shot over 60% in the paint leaving the Rams with the slight advantage as their inside defense has let teams shoot only 43%, where as Washington has let teams shoot inside with 61% accuracy. Washington outside defense (35 %) should pressure the Rams to take ill-advised shots, or force them inside where the Rams have had the most offensive success. With this game being played in Seattle, and with two high level teams, it a toss up game which team will win, though if the Rams can score the paint prolifically then the Rams can win this game.