NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 mid-major power rankings for 2022-23 season

12. Colorado State Rams

2021-22 record: 25-6 (14-4 in Mountain West)

The Rams were a top-5 mid-major team last season, getting a 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They were led by Mountain West Player of the Year forward David Roddy, who averaged 19.2 ppg and 7.5 rpg last season. Had he returned, the team would’ve been in the top-3 of this ranking.

Still, Colorado State returns another star in point guard Isaiah Stevens. He was an all-conference player last season, producing 14.7 ppg and 4.7 apg. He was a double-digit scorer in 27 of 31 games, including a career-high 35 points versus UNLV. Stevens is one of the best playmakers in the country and has an underrated supporting cast this year.

6’5 guard John Tonje put up 9.1 ppg for the Rams last season, while James Moors and Jalen Lake are set for large roles in the rotation. And there are also multiple incoming transfers that’ll have an impact, led by 6’3 guard Josiah Strong. The former Illinois State guard produced 11.5 ppg on 41% shooting from deep in the past two years and helps replace some of the lost shooting.

Colorado State also adds a D-II transfer in 6’8 forward Patrick Cartier, as well as D-III transfer Joe Palmer. Both were high-level scorers at their previous stops and if even one becomes an impact newcomer, the team will have plenty of offense to work with.

There are some questions with the frontcourt without both Roddy and Dischon Thomas around but the presence of Stevens gives them a high floor. Now it comes down to how high a ceiling they’ll have as well.