Colorado State vs Kansas State Preview

The Colorado State Rams have fared well so far this season. They have had a couple of tests so far and have preformed relatively well in them. The game against the Kansas State Wildcats will be another test.

The Rams will have a tough test as Kansas State is one of the top teams defensively in the country. They have a top ten defense. They are 10th in defensive shooting percentage holding opponents to 36.6% shooting from the field. They also rank 6th in the country allowing only 57.8 points per game.

While the Wildcats are great defensively, they are no slouch offensively either. They have 4 players averaging double figures and 2 others averaging 9 points per game. As a team they are shooting just under 50% from the field and are shooting 41% from behind the three point line.

Colorado State is going to have to have one of their best games, something along the lines of the Colorado game. The Rams are a good team. The play well defensively and get to the line a lot.

The Rams will have to play to their strengths this game. Close out on players, make shots tough, and control the boards. The Rams are averaging 40 rebounds per game and are out rebounding opponents by 7.5 boards per game.

Offensively the Rams have to go to the inside game more this year because they aren’t getting outside shots to fall. When the Rams settle for the outside shot instead of attempting to get it to the big men inside, they let teams either pull away or come back. When they pound the ball inside is where they have success.

The return of Gian Clavell should help both the inside and outside game. He’s able to hit the tough shots outside. By doing so, he forces the defense to notice him. While he was suspended defenses slacked off the outside because the Rams would take the shot but more often then not would miss.

With Clavell’s return, defenses will need to take more notice of the outside shot. This should open the inside more where the Rams have been dominant this season.

Emmanuel Omogbo is averaging a double-double and is 12th in the country in rebounds per game, Nico Carvacho is growing into the D1 game, and Che Bob is a motor for this Rams team.

This “neutral-site” game against the Wildcats will be perfect for the Rams as a test for conference play and a marker for where the program is overall.

The game is at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The game will be broadcast on CBSSports and tip is 1pm mountain time.