Rams take Fort Collins community by storm
CSU men’s basketball team continues an impressive season with 3rd place ranking
Feb. 10, 2011
By Kiley Long
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Screams of an over powering, sold out crowd on January 21st flooded from Moby Arena as the Colorado State University men’s basketball team took on the No.7 Brigham Young University Cougars. While the Rams ended up falling short by nine points in the end, the true testament of this game came in the phenomenon that has become CSU men’s basketball this season.
Whether it has been a staggering 3rd place Mountain West Conference ranking, a tournament championship, or giving the No. 6 team in the nation a run for their money, the Rams have been setting records that previously seemed impossible just last season.
Director of Media Relations, Zak Gilbert, shed some light on their recent success saying, “The basketball coaches have not changed a thing, what has really changed has been the players. They are finally working up to their potential and it is amazing to see.”
The Rams season started off strong immediately with three straight wins and only continued in strength as they traveled to Cancun, Mexico to play in a tournament against some southern prodigies such as Ole Miss. They swept the tournament and came back from Christmas break with a Governor’s Cup title to add to their impressive record.
However, the real test has come at home and on the road, as the Rams have taken on their conference opponents who have proven to smother them in the past.
This season has been a completely different story. The Rams have not only held their own but also, pushed their way to the top as the 3rd best-ranked team behind San Diego State University and Brigham Young University. Being able to take on competitive teams, while away from home, and not only compete with them but beat them proves quite a bit.
Gilbert notes that, “Beating University of Nevada Las Vegas on the road was the greatest accomplishment the Rams have had. It got them over the hump and was a perennial moment for the Tim Miles coaching era.”
Truly the greatest attribute to the Ram’s success seems to come directly from the phenomenal student support system at Colorado State. The student attendance numbers and overall support has been overwhelming for the team this season.
Danny Mattie, assistant to Gilbert and men’s basketball, comments on the effects of student support, “It plays a tremendous role, I bet it gives us about six points per game. In other words our opponents would gain about six more points without the student support, this was especially evident when we hosted San Diego State.”
Continuing to support the Rams as they continue with their season gives them the drive and dedication to continue making history. As Mattie notes, “Without the support of our school and students we have nothing.”
Your lead is very good, but I'm pretty sure there's a hyphen in "over-powering."
ReplyDeleteAlso, in your second to last quote you use the number 6 instead of spelling it out.
Reads just like something you would find in the Collegian.
Kiley you did such a great job capturing the feel of the game in your own words. After reading your story even if i hadnt been at the game i would have known what it felt like. You definately write like a real sports writer so keep up the good work. Also the quotes you used i felt added to your story in a very good way so great choices on those.
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