NCAA Basketball: Purdue, Duke, fall in latest top 25 power ranking
By Joey Loose
17. Colorado State (8-0)
The Rams are not playing the nation’s toughest schedule this year but for them to be unbeaten right now is still a very impressive feat. They drew national attention for their 21-point drubbing of Creighton on Thanksgiving, an indication that they just might be for real this year. Last year’s Colorado State squad really struggled and dealt with injury issues, but Isaiah Stevens and company aren’t backing down this year.
They started the week by triumphing over rival Colorado back on Wednesday night, holding on for an 88-83 win. Stevens led the way with 20 points and 11 assists while both Nique Clifford and Joel Scott added 15 points. Colorado State stayed victorious over the weekend, getting an 86-81 win over Washington in Las Vegas. Five different Rams were double-digit scorers, led by Scott’s 17-point, 8-rebound performance.
Colorado State has now won four straight games over power conference foes and sit unbeaten in early December. No matter how you look at it, they’re playing great basketball and exceeding early expectations, making them more deserving of this rise in the national rankings. Next week’s challenges involve Denver and Saint Mary’s at home, with those Gaels looking much more beatable than expected.