Colorado State Rams
2018-19 record: 12-20, 7-11 in the Mountain West
Head coach: Niko Medved
Tenure at Colorado State: 2nd season
Career coaching record: 91-107
Home court: Moby Arena
Starters: G Hyron Edwards, G Kendle Moore, F Adam Thistlewood, G Kris Martin, C Nico Carvacho
Bench: G Isaiah Stevens, G Teyvion Kirk, G P.J. Byrd, F James Moors, G Ignas Sargiunas, G John Tonje
Overview: Colorado State struggled in Niko Medved’s first year at the helm. The Rams could not pick up a big win against Power 5 foes Colorado and Arkansas during non-conference play, and a stretch of nine losses in 10 games from Thanksgiving through New Year’s derailed any hope of a bounce-back campaign. The Rams came close to a signature win down the stretch, taking NCAA tournament-bound Utah State to overtime at home March 5, but the Aggies prevailed 100-96.
Colorado State will take another stab at a turnaround this year, and it will bring back a significant portion of its offense in the process. The Rams return their leading scorer in Nico Carvacho alongside starters Kendle Moore and Adam Thistlewood. Kris Martin showed a lot of improvement during his redshirt-junior season, and will likely step into a starting role this season following the departures of J.D. Paige and Anthony Masinton-Bonner.
One thing that needs to go right: Carvacho made the right decision to withdraw from the NBA draft and he continues his paint dominance. The redshirt-senior becomes the Mountain West’s all-time leading rebounder—he currently ranks second—and is surrounded by enough shooting to get the Rams back above .500.
One thing that could go wrong: The Rams enter the season with eight new faces, and they struggle to find their place. The rotation remains a constantly changing puzzle, and opponents can pack the paint with a lack of alternative scoring threats.
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