FORT COLLINS, Colo. – A crucial two-game road slate begins Wednesday for Colorado State as the Rams travel to New Mexico, a team tied for first place atop Mountain West and sporting the league’s best offense.
The game is CSU’s second conference rematch of the season. Two and a half weeks ago, UNM beat CSU 85-74 at Moby Arena with a dominating fourth quarter, beating the Rams 23-12. Prior to that, however, CSU overcame a 17-point third-quarter deficit to tie it before the final frame. The second meeting is scheduled for 7:00 PM MT inside The Pit. The Rams are coming off a weekend off, giving them a five-day break before playing in Albuquerque.
After the battle with the Lobos (18-5, 9-1 MW), the Rams will go Saturday to Air Force (11-10, 5-5 MW) in another game two that CSU aims to split in the season series . Colorado State (14-5, 5-4 MW) is on a two-game winning streak after an away win at Fresno State and a home win over Nevada. In conference standings, the Rams sit in fourth place behind UNM, UNLV and the Wolf Pack.
“There’s no doubt that it’s a huge game,” said the head coach Ryun Williams noted. “The Lobos have a top 20 offense in the entire NCAA and we saw that just a few weeks ago at home. However, we were right in that game with 10 minutes left. We just need to be more disciplined defensively. and challenge their shots more because they can really get up and down the court and hoist the 3-ball effectively.After the weekend off, we should benefit from being rested and focused for this challenge.
New Mexico (18-5, 9-1 MW) was chosen to finish second in the Mountain West, but also garnered seven votes for first place. Last Saturday, the Lobos beat San Diego State 67-58 at Viejas Arena. Lobos’ only conference loss came two games ago at UNLV – MW’s other 9-1 team atop the standings. Two of UNM’s four non-conference losses were to five power schools, including Texas Tech and a ranked team from Arizona. The 85 points are the most the CSU defense has given up all season.
RAMS NOTEBOOK
Last outing
• Last time out, the Rams controlled Nevada throughout, leading 29 minutes of the game en route to a 66-55 win at Moby Arena. McKenna Hofschild had a game-high 20 points for his sixth time with at least 20 points this season. Karly Murphy had a season-best 12 points and 14 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the campaign. The win marked CSU’s first against one of three teams (UNM, UNLV, UNR) ahead of the Rams in the conference standings.
What to watch against New Mexico?
• CSU FG % Defense (.367; #1 in MW) vs. UNM FG % Offense (.457; #1 in MW)
• 3FG% CSU (0.351; #3 in MW) vs. UNM Defense 3FG% (0.319; #7 in MW)
• CSU turnover per game (9.9; #1 in NCAA) vs. UNM Vols/G (8.7, #3 in MW)
• UHC McKenna Hofschild (#1 in MW assists) vs. NM’s LaTora Duff (#3 in MW assists)
New Mexico reconnaissance report
• The 2020-21 Lobos finished with an overall record of 15-5 with an 11-3 conference mark to win the MW Regular Season Championship. CSU and UNM played their series at The Pit in the final regular season game of the season. A win could have forced a share of the MW regular season title, but UNM held the Rams back.
• UNM lost to Fresno State in the MW semifinals, then lost to California Baptist in the WNIT first round.
• Game 1 Continuation: NM attempted 52 threes and made 19 against CSU – both of which are CSU’s all-time highs this season. The Lobos added seven 3s in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Antonia Anderson’s 30 points are tied for most individually against the Rams this season.
Play shorthanded
• Colorado State started the season with 12 on the roster, leaving little room for injury or illness.
• CSU has played 10 games in which 10 Rams have recorded minutes, including four with all 12 players.
• Six times (UTSA, BS, SDSU, USU, FS, UNR), CSU has played with only eight players. The second time (vs BS), Cali Clark went out three minutes into the match and did not return, leaving only seven available as Sydney robot was out on injury, and three by COVID (Karly Murphy, Jess Moors and Anna Prima).
• CSU and UNM are the only schools in the conference with three players in the top 15 for minutes played.
Return COVID affecting schedules
• On January 31, the MW announced minor schedule adjustments. CSU’s home game against Wyoming (2/16-2/17) was down one game, as was its game at Nevada (2/19-2/20). The Rams now have four prep days ahead of the Cowgirls instead of three, but lost a day on the backend before playing San Diego State on now three days off.
Assist the legend in the making
• McKenna Hofschild is on pace (assuming there are 10 more games) for 186 assists this season, which would tie CSU’s single-season record (Ellen Nystrom, 186; 2015-16). The top-10 list starts at 132. She once set the CSU single-game assist record at Utah State with 17.
• In CSU career terms, that same projection would bring his assist total to 290. Last season, the MW Newcomer of the Year had 114 in 21 games played. CSU’s top 10 career assists start at 301. The junior has another season of eligibility. She had 31 assists at Seton Hall as a freshman.
SINGLE SEASON SUPPORT LIST
Rank Player (Season) Assists
7.Gritt Ryder (2013-14) 148
8. Dee Dee Dominguez (1994-95) 143
9. Dee Dee Dominguez (1992-93) 136
10. Dee Dee Dominguez (1995-96) 132
?. McKenna Hofschild (2021-22) 122
Protecting the rock better than ANYTHING
• CSU continues to lead the NCAA in turnovers per game (9.9) and is third in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.51). Last season, CSU finished second and fifth respectively in those two categories. This season, the Rams have had the same or less turnover than their opponent in 11 of 19 games. Additionally, CSU has nine single-digit turnover games, including four in the conference.
Murphy on the glass
• Karly Murphy is third in the MW in rebounds per game (8.89) and fifth in total rebounds (160), but has played in fewer games than all but one of these competitors. She’s on pace (assuming 10 games to go) to have 249 rebounds, which would shatter her career in one season. If she got anywhere near that number, she’d be flirting with CSU’s top 10 list for a season that starts at 248.
Second half team
• In the first two quarters, the Rams outscored their opponents by seven points and 44 points, respectively. After halftime, CSU outscored their opponent by 50 points in the third quarter and 55 points in the final 10 minutes. Ironically, the Rams are 4-5 when tied or trailing at halftime. On the other hand, CSU is 10-0 when leading at the break.
Of the line
• Last season, Ryun WilliamsThe team ranked 19th in the nation in free throw percentage at 76.3%, which was also the second best percentage in CSU history. Trying to replicate that success, CSU is 199 for 267 (74.5%) on the charity strike so far, ranking 62nd in the NCAA. The trio of Karly Murphy, McKenna Hofschild and Upe Atosu are 163 out of 214 for 76.2%. This means that the others are 36 out of 53 for 67.9%.
• The Rams have five games under .700 from the line and four over .900.
CSU House Promotional Schedule
• Aggie Game – February 9 vs. Utah State
• Pink Out Game – February 16 vs. Wyoming
• State Pride Game & Empower Women Day – February 24 vs. San Diego State
• Senior Day/Green Out – February 26 against UNLV
At the bar
• Two-time Mountain West Coach of the Year and winningest coach in program history, Ryun Williams is entering her 10th season leading the Colorado State women’s basketball program in 2021-22. CSU’s 5-0 start marked the first since the 2000-01 campaign. The win over Boise State made it the sixth time the program has started 10-1. For Williams, this is his second such start, joining the 2015-16 team that finished 31-2 overall, winning the MW and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Williams and Tom Collen (’97-98, ’98-99, ’00-01 and ’01-02) are the only CSU coaches to have 10-1 starts.
Series History: State of Colorado – New Mexico
Overall: CSU trails 38-47
In Fort Collins: CSU, 23-13
In ABQ: UNM, 28-13
Neutral: UNM, 6-2
Current series: UNM, 6
Last: UNM 85, CSU 74 (1/15/22) at CSU
Biggest CSU win: 41
Biggest CSU loss: 35
Following on the game on p. 8 game notes
A win on Wednesday at Colorado State would mean…
• Give UNM its second loss of the conference season and CSU’s first win over the Lobos since the 2017-18 season.
How to follow
Attached: playing notes.
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