Colorado State Rams
Overall Rank: #61
Conference Rank: #3 Mountain West
2010-11: 19-13, 9-7
2010-11 Postseason: NIT
Coach: Tim Miles (51-76 at Colorado State, 267-216 overall)
Coach Tim Miles took over a bad program in 2007. During his first season with Colorado State the team went 0-16 in conference play. Two years later they were in the CBI. Last year they stepped up to the NIT. This year the Rams may lack the experience and firepower to take the next step to the NCAA Tournament, but they should not take much of a step backwards either. The NCAA Tournament trip will come in 2013, but reaching the NIT again in 2012 will keep this group moving in the right direction.
Who’s Out:
The hope for taking another step up in the postseason pecking order is dampened by the departure of the starting frontcourt duo of Andy Ogide and Travis Franklin. Ogide was an extremely efficient big man who led the team with 17.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Replacing that production will not be easy. Franklin was the only other Ram to average double digit scoring in 2010-2011. He was not a great rebounder, but that job was usually left to Ogide anyway. To make matters worse, the frontcourt also lost Andre McFarland, who started eight games last year. McFarland never played too much, but he was a nice guy to have available every once in a while. The big loss on the perimeter is Adam Nigon. The sharpshooter rarely went inside the arc, but he connected on 41.2 percent of his attempts from long range and no one else on the team could shoot with that much consistency.
Who’s In:
The important newcomer was at CSU last season. Chad Calcaterra, a 6-10, 250 pound center, redshirted last season to gain strength and experience. He did just that. His lack of playing experience at this level may lead to some growing pains, but Calcaterra is a fine athlete with skills one would not expect from a 6-10, 250 pound center. He may be asked to step into a starting spot right away and he can do plenty of scoring and rebounding under the basket. The Rams may need to be patient with him early in the 2011-2012 campaign, but Calcaterra could turn into a superb player by the end of his freshman campaign. The only true freshman heading into the program is Cody Mann. The 6-0 point guard will likely be the primary backup from day one and the quicker he can adjust to the style of play, the more minutes he will see.
Who to Watch:
The talent on the perimeter will carry the Rams into the postseason. It starts with point guard Dorian Green. The 6-2 junior is a fine ball handler and a capable scorer around the basket. Green is even a pretty good rebounder for a point guard and that skill may be much more important this season while the frontcourt is being revamped. Green averaged 7.1 points per game last season, but could turn into a dynamic scorer if he can hit the long ball with more consistency. Wes Eikmeier is also back and ready to return to a starting role. Eikmeier should emerge as the Rams go-to-scorer after averaging 9.1 points per game during his sophomore season. He is a fine outside shooter, but can also use his 6-3 frame to attack the basket. Jesse Carr, yet another junior, should see an increase in playing time and could even find himself starting if Coach Miles wants to play small. Sophomore Dwight Smith will also be in the regular rotation after a promising freshman campaign.
Final Projection:
Surprisingly the cupboard is not totally bare in the frontcourt. Forwards Pierce Hornung, Greg Smith and Will Bell all have significant experience under their belts. Hornung averaged over 20 minutes per game last season. However, he is just 6-5 and will have trouble defending opposing power forwards. He does have the quickness to play the three spot and that is where he will likely start. Hornung is not much of a scorer, but he is a superb rebounder. Greg Smith has a little more size and should fit in nicely at the power forward spot. He started a dozen games a year ago and proved to be a capable interior scorer. He will need to step up his game and become a double digit scorer if Colorado State hopes to take the next step this year. Will Bell is a big-bodied senior who usually comes in and eats up some fouls. He is not a bad scorer or rebounder, but Bell will mostly be used for his size, especially if Calcaterra is not ready for the big stage.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
Projected Starting Five:
Dorian Green, Junior, Guard, 7.1 points per game
Wes Eikmeier, Junior, Guard, 9.1 points per game
Pierce Hornung, Junior, Forward, 4.3 points per game
Greg Smith, Junior, Forward, 6.3 points per game
Chad Calcaterra, Freshman, Center, DNP last season
Check out another story about Colorado State basketball
