Despite being down to seven scholarship players, the Colorado State Rams (15-9, MW 7-4) find themselves in the thick of a Mountain West title run. Utah State (10-12, MW 4-7) have had the Rams number over the years and would love nothing more than to disappoint the Moby Arena crowd Tuesday night and put a big dent in the Rams title hopes.
Larry Eustachy’s group is led by seniors Gian Clavell and Emmanuel Omogbo. Clavell is averaging 20 points a game during conference play and Omogbo is averaging a double-double for the season. While most defenses focus on these two, it’s sophomore guard Prentiss Nixon who is helping put the Rams in contention. Nixon has really come on during conference play averaging almost 13 points per game and provides yet another offensive threat for the Rams.
Last month Colorado State got the better of Utah State 64-56 in front of a raucous crowd in Logan, Utah. They did it by getting Utah State out of their shooting rhythm early and jumped on the back of Omogbo who had one of the best games of his career. No one could blame Eustachy if he tried to mirror what worked Logan Tuesday at Moby Arena.
The challenge for Colorado State will be containing Utah State freshman sensation Koby McEwan and senior forward Jalen Moore. Moore is averaging 16 points a game while the diaper dandy McEwan is averaging 15 points a game.
Add this to the fact that Utah State is third in the conference in three point shooting and you have a basketball team that is better than its record would indicate. If the Aggies sink a couple early from behind the arc then Colorado State could be in for a long, hard fight.
Tip off is scheduled Tuesday at 7pm at Moby Arena. You can see the game on ROOT Sports.