Mountain West Tournament: Colorado State vs. Fresno State preview

The Colorado State Rams (18-15) and the Fresno State Bulldogs (20-8) squared off only once during the regular season where the Bulldogs handily defeated the Rams, 87-73. This one should be different as the Rams are playing some of the best basketball they’ve played all season.

The Rams are winners of three in a row and they are doing it the old fashion way, with good shooting and out rebounding their opponents.The Rams dominated the San Jose State 80-61 on Thursday and then outlasted Boise State last night 88-81. Redshirt senior guard Antwan Scott keeps adding to his school record for three-pointers in a season (94) and is getting a lot of help from senior guard Joe De Ciman who had 17 points against San Jose State and 18 against Boise State.

The Bulldogs are the hottest team in the Mountain West. They have won seven in a row including a 95-82 victory over UNLV last night in their first game of the Mountain West tournament. They are led by the coaches selection for Mountain West player of the year Marvelle Harris. The senior guard’s backcourt mate, redshirt senior Julien Lewis who led the Bulldogs with 27 points against UNLV and had 30 against the Rams just 10 days ago.

The key for the Rams is to continue to do what they are doing, shoot better than 45% from the field, out rebound their opponent, and limit the turnovers. The Bulldogs lead the conference in steals and turnover margin. The Rams also need to find a way to limit the shots of Harris and Lewis and force the other Bulldogs to beat them.

Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. MST and can be seen on CBS Sports Network.