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Inside The Lines Friday, February 9, 2018
Ryun Williams and Larry Eustachy, a tale of two programs Luke Zahlmann @lukezahlmann
In 2012, Larry Eustachy and Ryun Williams stepped onto the Colorado State University campus. Linked forever by the time period of their hiring, one took a program to one of its lowest points; the other already stands as the winningest coach in women’s basketball school history. Amid the controversy that has muddied the latest year for men’s basketball, Eustachy has fallen under the eyes of an internal assessment, one that has left the program in limbo. Details of the investigation have been sparse, but the investigation has not been the first for the controversial head of the program. He has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation, leaving his assistant coach to man the helm. In 26 seasons prior to this year, Eustachy had his share of conflict, both among the players, and among his conduct outside of the gym. With multiple reliefs of duty, Eustachy has had a tumultuous career to say the least. Eustachy’s stint with CSU has seen him nearly fired by way of a recommendation by a “highranking university official,” according to a report published by the Coloradoan. The report cited expletive-loaded slurs being yelled at players, as well as conduct like throwing full soda cans at walls in frustration. An admitted past alcoholic and an abusive coach according to ex-players, Eustachy’s success has been fogged. A career coaching record of 513-318 prior to his final season with the Rams speaks to the recruiting prowess and coaching knowledge that is possessed by the Rams’ coach. However, his imprint has failed to keep players in town as only one player has completed a four-year stint under his tutelage with the Rams. The abuse that has been reported has also been disputed by several ex-players citing a hardnosed approach to coaching, rather than an overuse of force. An utter juxtaposition of Eustachy, Williams has led his program to a .643 winning percentage, better than Eustachy’s .617 percentage, controversy withstanding. Williams has also led the program to four regular season titles in his five years, as well as
a Mountain West tournament championship. After being pried from his alma mater South Dakota, Williams succeeded early on, accruing a pair of Coach of the Year Awards in just his second season. The team went to their first postseason tournament in a decade. Williams walked into a program that had been on a down swing, searching for answers. In the previous five years before his stint began, the Rams were a combined 62100, good for a .382 winning percentage. His first year was his worst at 11-19, but everything has come up roses for the coach since, failing to register a losing season. Eustachy walked into a program on the opposite spectrum, with CSU having won at least half of their games in the three seasons prior to the start of his tenure. Eustachy continued the trend up until this season, going his entire stint without a losing season. The worst of Williams’ outbursts can be seen in front of the Moby faithful, a yell in frustration, followed by a quick cool down and a calm talk with a player. The difference in the two is seen in their ability to lead outside of the x’s and o’s. Lessons taught by Williams are done so in a manner fitted to the player, with confidence it will enable the player to utilize their talent. The lessons by Eustachy are given one way: through the strain of vocal cords. Eustachy was given a second chance by CSU after his tenure with Southern Mississippi, following his stint gone awry with Iowa State. The firing came at the hands of Eustachy’s misconduct in which he was seen drinking and partying with players and students. The nail in the coffin was the presentation of pictures of Eustachy kissing college-aged women. Controversy among the career of Williams is hard to spot, even under a microscope. He has stayed controversy free throughout his coaching career and paired the lack of news surrounding him with admiring alumni that speak glowingly, along with the fans who have followed him. If Eustachy is relieved of his duties following the assessment, the Rams should follow the template laid forth by Williams. A smudge free application of his own theories on coaching has left the program in position to succeed long after he departs, as well as the opening
CSU head coach Ryun Williams cuts down the net during the 2016 Mountain West Conference Women’s Basketball Championship. PHOTO BY STEVE NOWLAND NCAA PHOTOS
Head coach Larry Eustachy reacts towards a referee. PHOTO BY JAVON HARRIS COLLEGIAN
of international recruiting in abundance. Parker chose to go with an approach that placed faith in Eustachy, giving him another chance at a high-level career on the sidelines. The next time around, an established coach with a clean record should be the top priority for the Director of Athletics. Compromises should not be made, regardless of the possible success. Implementing a style that focuses on players that fit a mentality, rather than the most skilled players available,
will pay dividends for the next leader of men’s basketball at CSU. The previously mentioned groundwork has been applied by Williams and fueled the women’s team’s success. The men have still been successful amid the controversy and can still be a recruiting landmark for basketball players, especially in Colorado. Though men’s and women’s basketball have their differences in number of players that transfer each year, the men need to focus on keeping their players through their college
stays, or up until the divine circumstance in which they are drafted. Continuity among the players can go a long way in reversing the losing trend following the current lost season. The two programs should be examined before the next coach is hired and the lessons given by Williams should be sought after in the newest leader. Anything less needs to be considered a failure for CSU athletics. Luke Zahlmann can be reached at sports@collegian. com.
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Inside The Lines Friday, February 9, 2018
Surging CSU women back in the hunt for conference title By Christian Hedrick @ChristianHCSU
Winners of five in a row, the Colorado State women’s basketball team is the hottest squad in the Mountain West. Everyone around the conference has taken note of the Rams’ sudden surge except, of course, those donning the green and gold. “To be honest with you, I didn’t even know we had a win streak,” senior guard Stine Austgulen said. “My friend asked me last night what our record was and I literally didn’t know,” senior guard Hannah Tvrdy said. “I know we’ve lost four games, but I don’t keep track like, ‘Oh, we’ve won five.’” CSU’s seniors may not realize it, but a five game win streak has turned the prospect of a fifth consecutive MW title from a pipe dream into a reality. Coming into the season boasting one of the nation’s youngest rosters and without the help of perennial all-conference
stars Elin Gustavsson and Ellen Nystrom, the Rams weren’t expected to make much noise in the Mountain West. Despite winning four consecutive regular season league titles, league coaches and select media picked the young Rams to finish third in the preseason. A third place finish would have been ideal following the Rams’ 4-4 start to the conference slate, but now CSU can set its eyes on a much larger prize. What exactly is different about these Rams versus the team that lagged out of the gates? “I think the effort,” Tvrdy said. “These past five games, especially, there’s been a few games where our intensity and effort has been different than it has before. That doesn’t show up in a box score, but it’s something that’s noticeable.” Effort may not be a stat that shows up in the box score, but its ramifications have certainly bolstered the box score and Tvrdy’s stat line. Since being shutout offensively at UNLV on
Jan. 20, Tvrdy has averaged over 19 points and eight rebounds in the five games since. That offensive output led the Rams to five wins and the Seward, Neb. native’s first Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors. While Tvrdy’s torrid pace has put the league on notice, she can’t lead the Rams to another title by herself. Fortunately for Tvrdy and CSU, many of the younger Rams have stepped up in the latter half of the season with valuable experience under their belt. “I feel like the young kids are growing into their roles more and we need that,” Austgulen said. “We need everyone to score and play defense for us to win, so I think that’s been a huge part of it.” In their most recent outing versus Air Force, freshmen played key roles in downing the Falcons. Only Sofie Tryggedsson saw the floor more than freshmen Lore Devos and Jordyn Edwards. CSU head coach Ryun Williams is as demanding as any
on defense and wouldn’t have allowed as many minutes to such inexperienced players if they weren’t pulling their weight on both ends of the court. Of course, defense has been a point of emphasis all year for CSU, but it’s been as determined as ever during the Rams’ recent run. “Defensively, we’ve been good all year,” Austgulen said. “Last night and in the last few games, we’ve been really aware of who’s on the court. We call it paint, like being in the very deep gaps helps a lot.” The Rams’ hard-nosed defending has paid dividends in the win column, but it has come with some bumps and bruises as the schedule stacks up. Through 13 league games, only Fresno State has seen the floor as many times as CSU this season. “We haven’t had a bye week yet,” Williams said following Wednesday’s win over Air Force. “We need a bye week. You can tell our kids are getting a little tired. We’ve been a little wounded. We’re kind of just taped together
Junior, Annie Brady attempts to get to the net while being defended by San Diego. PHOTO BY JULIA BAILEY COLLEGIAN
here. We just need to heal up and get healthy for this final stretch.” The Rams will receive that much-needed bye week after Saturday’s game in San Jose. With fresh legs, CSU could have a shot at another conference title, but they need some help from UNLV before they can sharpen their net-cutting scissors. The Rams and Rebels are tied at nine wins, but with two games in hand, UNLV controls its own destiny. If the Rebels win out, they are conference champions for the first time in program history. The Rebels do not have an easy schedule ahead and if the Rams keep rolling, there’s no reason to believe CSU can’t slide into that familiar first-place spot, whether or not they realize their winning ways. The Rams will look to make it six in a row in San Jose at 3 p.m. MT on Saturday afternoon. Christian Hedrick can be reached at sports@collegian.com.
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Inside The Lines Friday, February 9, 2018
Joe Parker hopes to conclude Eustachy’s assessment early next week as tensions build By Colin Banard @ColinBarnard_
Tensions are building between athletes on Colorado State basketball and the athletic department. According to sources close to the program, the team boycotted its scheduled practice at 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon due to frustration over the lack of communication between them and the athletic department. “Our student athletes have expressed concerns to us and we are working with them to address those concerns,” athletic director Joe Parker said in a statement. “Student athlete welfare has always been our top priority.” After the climate assessment of head coach Larry Eustachy has unfolded in hidden fashion over the last week-plus, the frustration reached its boiling point before Thursday’s practice. During the process, players found out information from Twitter and media members rather than the athletic department, according to a report from Sean Starr of the Loveland Reporter-Herald. The uncertainty of the process
has caused some annoyance with players and other members of the team. Parker revealed that the university is nearing the end of the investigation and hopes to finalize things by early next week. “Our collections of data to inform the assessment is nearly complete, pending our conversation with Coach Eustachy,” Parker said. “Coach Eustachy and his representatives are unable to meet with us until early next week. The University intends to resolve this as soon as possible.” The day has been filled with bad news for CSU, beginning with a report from the Denver Post stating that the university was set to fire Eustachy after breaking a zero-tolerance policy from a 2013-14 internal investigation. Despite the report, nobody on the team received information from Parker. Hours later, CSU lost coveted four-star junior college recruit, Jordan Brangers. Brangers tweeted out his decision to reopen his recruitment, presumably in light of the worsening state of the program.
Larry Eustachy talks to his team during the game against Wyoming on Jan. 31. PHOTO BY JOE OAKMAN COLLEGIAN
Current players have been divided on their support of Eustachy. Guards Prentiss Nixon, Anthony Bonner and Raquan Mitchell have vocally supported
their head coach on Twitter. However, according to previous reports, the majority of players spoke out against Eustachy during interviews with the
athletic department. Colin Barnard can be reached at sports@collegian.com.
Sizzling CSU women set for Saturday showdown with sinking SJSU By Christian Hedrick @ChristianHCSU
Just three weeks ago, a mere game separated the Colorado State women’s basketball team and San Jose State in the tightlypacked Mountain West standings. Since then, one team has caught fire, while the other is reeling. After an ugly loss at UNLV on Jan. 20, the Rams rattled off five consecutive wins. In that same timespan, the Spartans dropped five in a row. On paper, the Rams should be licking their chops at the prospect of facing off against the coldest team in the conference on Saturday, but that’s not even an option. “We never look at anyone’s record before we play them,” CSU guard Stine Austgulen said. “On the scouting report, it never says (their record). We just focus on the team and what we can do in order to win.” Like every gameplan for Ryun Williams, the key to beating the Spartans begins on defense. Though SJSU has been cast to the bottom of the conference, only New Mexico and Boise State average more points per game than the Spartans’ 69.4. “They’re physical, they play fast,” Austgulen said. “They have a lot of kids who can drive and shoot it, so I think we’ve got to be ready and play our best defense and offense in order to get a win.”
Among those who can do it all on offense for the Spartans are guards Myzhanique Ladd and Taylor Turney. The Spartan duo is among the league leaders in offensive efficiency, averaging over 12 points per game apiece. When the Rams and Spartans met at Moby on Dec. 30, CSU limited SJSU’s high-octane offense to just 48 points, en route to 15-point victory. Ladd had herself a day with 16 points and 10 boards, but Turney posted just seven points on 3-of-12 shooting. Although the dynamic duo accounted for nearly half of the Spartans’ offense, it could have been a lot more if the Rams hadn’t been so frugal with trips to the free throw line. Of Ladd’s 268 total points, nearly a third come from the charity stripe, while over a quarter of Turner’s points are a product of free passes. Both Ladd and Turner rank among the top seven in the Mountain West in free throw shooting. On Dec. 30, the Rams kept the free-throw phenosm fruitless by committing just nine fouls. A disciplined defense will be key again for the Rams to yield another positive result, especially against a dynamic offense like SJSU. “A lot of them can shoot it and a lot of them can also drive too, so defense is going to be huge,” CSU redshirt senior Hannah
Hannah Tvrdy (10) rushes against San Jose State University on Dec. 30. PHOTO BY TONY VILLALOBOS MAY COLLEGIAN
Tvrdy said. “We need to get to the shooters, but also be in the gaps for each other if they drive.” In their last outing versus Air Force, CSU committed an uncharacteristic 15 fouls, mainly on defense. A high mark like that may open the door for a Spartan upset, especially in a tough environment that SJSU presents. “We just talked about it in the locker room today actually, San Jose’s really good at home, so I think it’s going to be tough to go
in there, it’s always tough to go in there,” Austgulen said. Defending with discipline will make life tough for Spartan scorers on their home floor, but the Rams need to practice that same discipline on the offensive end in order to take home the win from enemy territory. “At that place, you know they amp it up a lot, so taking care of the ball offensively and not letting them speed us up will be big, but also playing fast and with that
right control too,” Tvrdy said. Though Tvrdy posted just five points in the first meeting with the Spartans, the senior guard has averaged 19.2 points and 8.4 boards her last five games and will likely be the focal point for the Spartans’ defense on Saturday. Tvrdy and the Rams tip off from San Jose at 3 p.m. MT on Saturday afternoon. Christian Hedrick can be reached at sports@collegian.com.
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Inside The Lines
Inside The Lines
Friday, February 9, 2018
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Raquan Mitchell developing into more than an athlete for CSU basketball
time,’” Nixon said about their conversation following the game. “Now you see, (against Nevada) he was shooting stepBy Colin Barnard blossomed during his senior height so it’s really amazing to he soared to block a 3-point increased, whether or not heback jump shots, step-back @ColinBarnard_ 3s. Confidence is key, it comes season at Southridge where he see. I’ve probably never seen attempt before leaping from was ready. Since Nixon’s injury againstover time. I think everyone’s averaged 22.1 points and 5.2 no one jump that high. I love just inside the elbow and Colorado State guard rebounds per game en route to to see it and I love to have him slamming on a CMU defender. Air Force on Jan. 17, Mitchellconfidence develops in their He showed the same has averaged nearly 12 pointsown time. I think his is just Raquan Mitchell realized earning third-team All-State on my team rather than play talent a month later, flushing per game. Prior to the injury,starting to take off right now.” against him.” something in his junior year of recognition. a one-handed alley-oop with Mitchell averaged less than five Finding yet another way Following his first AAU high school. authority against Oregon. points per game. Despite beingto utilize his athleticism, Before then, Mitchell game, Mitchell received nine Now engrained in conference on the bench, Nixon’s ability toMitchell’s step-back jumper starred as a multi-position NCAA offers. He does not recall play, these highlight-reel plays coach Mitchell is instrumentalis developing into a thing of athlete in football for Miami if he did anything special in the RAQUAN MITCHELL are a common occurrence, in his uptick in production. beauty. In the opening portion Southridge High School, game, but he knew the scouts ■ Position: guard “We’ve been talking a lotof the game against Nevada, sometimes coming multiple playing running back, wide liked to see him play. After ■ Class: redshirt sophomore since I’ve been out,” Nixonthe sparkplug continued to times per game. receiver, cornerback and the offers came pouring in, When he connects on a said. “Just trying to help himdrive into defenders on the safety. After finding his way Mitchell’s career in basketball ■ Height: 6-3 momentum-changing dunk see things differently, pickwing, plant his foot and spring to the basketball court during presented itself in tangible ■ Previous college: South Plains or block, the crowd is quick to your spots when to jump upback three feet to create plenty the second semester of his fashion. College (Texas) and shoot it, tuck the elbow andof separation and knock down show its appreciation. Three years and two junior season, though, it only “It feels great to know things like that. Just helpingthe shot. took one game for Mitchell to colleges later, Mitchell found that you’re doing something on the technical stuff with the Mitchell opened the game himself as part of CSU’s 2017 realize his talents. Leading up to his arrival positive for the game,” jump shot, and it’s paid off.” 4-for-5 from the field in the class. Nearing Well, actually, just one play. recruiting Early in the season,first five minutes for nine early “It was the first play of the the end of his first season in in Fort Collins, whispers Mitchell said in regards to first game, coach set up a play. Fort Collins, the dynamic surfaced of a rumored 45-inch fans’ reactions to his play. Mitchell’s offensive confidencepoints, most of which came I did the tip against a 7-footer, I guard is living up to the lofty vertical. Videos of his play at “I like that feeling, I’m just lacked. Following a loss againstfrom the step-back jumper. won it, and then he threw it up, expectations that come with South Plains College appeared trying to do it more and more. Missouri State at the endHe showcased the potential of November during whichthat comes when freakish to back the notions, but even Whenever it comes, it comes.” threw a lob (for an alley-oop),” somebody that athletic. Though Mitchell’s Mitchell played a season-lowathleticism, fundamentals and “The kid’s a freak, he’s an then it was difficult to imagine Mitchell said. Standing 6 feet 2 inches absolute freak,” guard Prentiss just how extraordinary his athleticism was always present, nine minutes and was heldconfidence all coincide. his confidence shooting the scoreless, Nixon encouraged “I actually work on the tall at the time, the athletic Nixon said. “You can put the athleticism is. Mitchell silenced any ball needed improvement. his teammate to remainstep-back every day,” Mitchell specimen showed why so ball up anywhere around the said. “It’s coming naturally to many schools began to covet rim and he’ll go get it. He doubters in the Rams’ When guards Nixon and J.D. positive. “I was telling him, ‘Justme now.” his abilities. Mitchell’s talents blocks shots, crazy, to the third exhibition match against Paige went down with injuries, Equally as important on the basketball court row. We’re about the same Colorado Mesa during which Mitchell’s role with CSU stay with it, it’ll come with is the physical ability he possesses, Mitchell’s yearning for improvement has caught the eye of interim head coach Steve Barnes. “Boy, has he come on. He’s such a good kid about learning stuff and he’s just getting better and better and better,” Barnes said. “He’s really receptive, he’s a guy that you can tell him something and he tries to put it in.” Despite Mitchell’s continuing success, the Rams’ season has turned into one of despair. CSU sits in 10th place in the Mountain West, ahead of only winless San Jose State. Injuries and coaching controversy changed the script at the beginning of conference play, and the Rams have failed to regain any momentum. That has not stopped young fans from looking up to members of the program. Mitchell realizes the impact that he can have through basketball, and it makes him strive for greatness every game. “It feels great to know that someone is looking up to you,” Mitchell said. “It makes you want to play harder and show them that you can do more, that they can be something like you, you’re a role model to them. I try to do better and better every game.” A superhero soaring through the air is never a bad option to look up to. Colin Barnard can be reached at sports@collegian. Raquan Mitchell (3) reaches up for a rebound over a UNC defender during the first half of the Rams 83-79 exhibition win over Northern Colorado. PHOTO BY JAVON HARRIS COLLEGIAN com.
Colorado State University sophomore guard Raquan Mitchell hangs on the rim after dunking against Air Force on Tuesday, Feb. 6. PHOTO BY DAVIS
BONNER COLLEGIAN
Raquan Mitchell (3) shoots over a Wolfpack defender during the second half of the Rams 76-67 loss to Nevada. Mitchell finished with 11 points and a team-high 4 assists. PHOTO BY JAVON HARRIS COLLEGIAN
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Inside The Lines Friday, February 9, 2018
Born in the mecca: Anthony Bonner’s background rooted in basketball tradition By Austin White @ajwrules44
The birth of basketball occurred in 1891 after Dr. James Naismith drafted the first rules to the game in Springfield, Mass. Popularity of the game spread through YMCAs around the country and ultimately led to Naismith going to Lawrence, Kan. to coach the Kansas University basketball team in 1898. Fast forward 120 years to today and Lawrence has become one of the few meccas of the sport of basketball.Phog Allen Fieldhouse is a must-see for any fan of college basketball as the mystique from years of success and countless NBA players fills the air within the 16,300 capacity stadium. Being born in this mecca,
playing basketball seems like the obvious choice for any athlete growing up in Lawrence. For Colorado State redshirt sophomore guard Anthony Bonner, there waerealways plenty of options, but basketball did always come to the forefront thanks to his father’s influence. “From a young age I always had a ball in my hands,” Bonner said. “I was the ball boy on my dad’s club traveling teams. He really got me into it because he started coaching and after that, me and him just stayed in the gym and kept working.” Bonner is the youngest of the family’s three kids and being involved with athletics became something that every son or daughter joined. His older sister Quentin was a dancer, while his father,
Sebastian, played football at KU. Still, his parents left every door open for Bonner as he got a taste of everything from his family. The city itself does not fit the stereotypical idea of Kansas, which is boring flat land and tornados. As his high school head coach Mike Lewis described, Lawrence offers many other opportunities for young adults and children, some that do not even involve sports. “There are a lot of kids who like to play basketball and they like the Jayhawks,” Lewis said. “In Lawrence as a community, we have a lot of kids who are involved in lots of things. It’s a community where there are lots of options … everything from music to sports to art to performing in plays and
productions. There is just a lot for kids to do and be a part of.” Bonner kept close to the court though, whether it was playing outside or playing video games. “The weather is comparable to Colorado, you can never really predict what it’s going to do,” Bonner said. “I was always outside a lot as a kid playing basketball and that’s pretty much all there is to do, that and play video games. That was 75 percent of my life growing up.” At the end of the day, basketball did prevail for Bonner and that was cemented from multiple trips to the Allen Fieldhouse. Many memories came to the mind of Bonner when asked about which one was his favorite as the countless classics there
Anthony Bonner goes up for a layup against Fresno State on Jan. 6. The Rams lost 82-79 in overtime. PHOTO BY JAVON HARRIS COLLEGIAN
helped inspire Bonner to one day be a college player. “That made me love basketball, growing up around that culture where it was invented and all the history,” Bonner said. “You can’t really beat an experience at Allen Fieldhouse, so that probably helped shape a lot of my love for basketball.” “My favorite memory is when Mario Chalmers hit the miracle shot against Memphis in the 2008 national championship,” Bonner said. “I was in fifth grade I believe and everyone was down on Massachusetts St. in downtown Lawrence and that was an experience I’ll never forget.”
see BONNER on page 11 >>
Inside The Lines Friday, February 9, 2018
Bonner >> from page 10
Three years later, he joined the basketball team at Lawrence High School where his athleticism stood out to Lewis from day one. Over the course of Bonner’s four years, Lewis saw leadership grow within Bonner which helped the Lions to a conference championship and a state runner-up finish in Bonner’s senior year. “What stands out is that he was a leader,” Lewis said. “He made other players around him better. He blossomed physically, he continued to get stronger and more athletic as each year went by and he had a great IQ for the game and knew how to win.” The next phase would be finding a fitting college to take his talents to as Bonner ultimately decided on CSU. Luckily for Bonner, a former LHS graduate already made the trek to Fort Collins, Colo. in guard Dorian Green. The
Bonner and Green family knew each other well so the discussion around CSU was an easy one to have. “The conversations between Dorian and Anthony and their families along with our conversations of what his options were and what he saw was the best fit,” Lewis said on the impact of himself and Green getting Bonner to CSU. “I really thought Anthony was going to be in great hands (at CSU).” Along with that help from Lewis and Green, Bonner put pen to paper and moved away from the Mecca into a college town that has never really had too much to celebrate around basketball. But that did not matter for Bonner who felt like CSU offered him the best deal and made him feel welcome as they recruited him from his sophomore year at LHS. However, the love for the Jayhawks has not diminished despite Bonner down-playing his fandom. Teammate Prentiss Nixon described how Bonner loves to talk trash to the guys about KU, specifically
that championship shot by Chalmers. “He talks crazy to me all the time,” Nixon said. “He talks about that Mario Chalmers jump shot…every week, I’m tired of hearing about it but what can I say about it?” Nixon, a Chicago kid like Derrick Rose who was on the losing end of the Chalmers shot, can tolerate the smack talk because of the performance he has seen from Bonner on the court. The calming presence Bonner brings is something Nixon believes the team needs. “He doesn’t force anything, he kind of just lets the game come to him,” Nixon said. “I think he just takes what the defense gives him and it’s good to see that because we need that on this team, somebody who stays positive and takes what has been given.” Due to the ankle injury to Nixon and broken hand of guard J.D. Paige, Bonner recently made his way into the starting lineup to help fill the whole at the guard position. The team is relying on him and
fellow guard Raquan Mitchell to help lead the front court of a CSU squad that features only one senior. In his first game starting after the injury to Paige, Bonner came out firing against the New Mexico Lobos, nailing both of his 3-pointers in the first half to give him six points. He went cold in the second half as he failed to score another point and ended up with three turnovers in the Rams’ 80-65 loss. Since then, he has averaged 33 minutes a game in the Rams’ last three matchups, including all 50 minutes of the Rams double-overtime loss at home to the rival Wyoming Cowboys. He had 18 points in that game, but more impressively put up 13 points in just 22 minutes of action against the Mountain West’s top team, the Nevada Wolfpack,the next time out. With Nixon making his way back from his injury and Paige set to return sometime within the next two weeks, playing time for Bonner will be in question. A potential transition in coaches could
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also affect his time depending on the type of impression he has made on interim head coach Steve Barnes. The love for the game will never diminish for Bonner no matter what the immediate future holds. He has always been focused on playing and never doubted his abilities or his path growing up chanting “Rock Chalk.” “All my coaches, especially my dad, just taught me it’s not always going to be good, not always going to be having fun with it,” Bonner said. “If you push through, it’s all a part of the process. I just stay true to the game, always work hard, always love it and you get through the rough patches.” Bonner still has two years of eligibility to write his name into the record books of CSU. But even so, his future at CSU was built by the limestone outcrop upon Mount Oread, and that rock chalk beginning can never be washed away. Austin White can be reached by email at sports@ collegian.com.
Sophomore Guard Anthony Bonner moves the ball down the court into UNLV territory on Jan. 20 at Moby Arena. The Rams fell to the Rebels 79-74. The Rams are now 10-11 on the season. PHOTO BY ELLIOT JERGE COLLEGIAN
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Inside The Lines Friday, February 9, 2018
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Inside The Lines Friday, February 9, 2018
CSU women find propellant by way of the bench By Luke Zahlmann @lukezahlmann
A rollercoaster season at the start, Colorado State women’s basketball’s bench players have corrected their issues and helped lead the way to a successful conference schedule to date. A team that has double-digit players seeing the court for an average of 10 minutes or more a game, along with 10 of the 11 having started a game, coach Ryun Williams has created an atmosphere of acceptance of differing roles and support for each player that sees the floor. The constant fluctuation of lineups keeps each player in a starter’s mindset, even when their name is not called in introductions. With only one player that averages over 10 in scoring and only two with over 30 minutes a game, the Rams have forged a new path in their latest season. A season after they lost two of the greatest players in Rams history, Elin Gustavsson and Ellen Nystrom, the team has relied on each player to embrace their role, ever-changing as it may be. “We’re going to do what’s in the best interest of our basketball team,” Williams said. “It does go game by game and some games fit kids more than other games, that’s just how we do it. (Whatever is) going to give our team the best chance to win the game.” Fortunately for the team, the quality of selflessness is ingrained in each player from the beginning. Whether it be ignoring accolades or defensive focus and leadership, the Rams have recruited each factor and harnessed them within their team, creating a collaboration of team-friendly mindsets. Stability from each player has reigned supreme after the Rams got off to a .500 start in their first four games. The team saw the highs and lows of a typical season with an upset win over Gonzaga, followed by a lopsided loss to Oklahoma only one game later. Maturity has reared its head as the season has drawn on, proving an asset for the team. Success has been the mantra for each season under Williams’
Redshirt freshman guard Jordyn Edwards moves the ball up the court during the second quarter of play against the Colorado Buffaloes on Dec. 6. The Rams fell in a hard fought battle 70-67 in Moby Arena. PHOTO BY ELLIOTT JERGE COLLEGIAN
tenure, and a meddling spot early on in the standings failed to derail the team. The Rams came through with flying colors under the tutelage of Williams, due to their bench bringing life to the offense. “We’re so supportive of each other that it doesn’t matter who’s playing on the court,” Annie Brady said. “As long as we’re getting work done, we just know that we’re supported by each other.” Players like senior Sofie Tryggedsson, junior Brady and freshman Lore Devos have each held their stint in the starting lineup throughout the year. An adjustment from Williams has given the team a new direction, having the three-headed monster move to the bench, providing an incremental boost. The mixture of youth and leadership off the bench has only aided the Rams efforts. “It’s tough, (but) I know me and my teammates are always ready for our number to be called,” Jordyn Edwards said. “I personally try to stay engaged and picture myself out there and keep a positive attitude off the bench. When I am on the bench, I’m cheering for my teammates.”
Along with the mindset, the Rams have also built a roster to compete in many different game scripts. Players like Tryggedsson and Devos provide scoring with the former being second on the team in 3-pointers made; Brady and Liah Davis provide size and grit, both registering doubledouble pace numbers; and Callie Kaiser and Edwards provide energy and a prowess on both ends of the court. An added benefit to the skill of the bench is inner-squad competition, an exemplary facet of a title contender. Pushing in practice and bettering those around them has pushed the Rams’ ceiling higher as the season has progressed. The adjustments pre-game and mid-game have given the Rams a leg up each game and provided a much-needed spark in the lulls they have endured. The defense of the Rams, one of the top in the nation in limiting opposing field goal percentage, has kept their schemes consistent regardless of the players on the court. Commonly seen in a zone
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defense, the Rams have utilized their flexibility to record nearly 200 steals as a team in the year, leading to transition scoring. The combination of offense and defense has all been further strengthened by the progress of players that have seen the bench and challenged themselves to embrace the role instead of
folding. All of the aspects the Rams possessed off the bench have been a catalyst to their success in a new era of women’s basketball and will bode well when the postseason comes around. Luke Zahlmann can be reached at sports@collegian.com.
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Inside The Lines Friday, February 9, 2018
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Rams looking for inspiration at home against Spartans By Austin White @ajwrules44 Making history is on the mind of every team when they take the court or field. Dreams of becoming champions for the first time or carrying on their team’s legacy of being the best run through the veins of every athlete. History can also come from the other end of the victory spectrum. Teams can be historically bad and create something that no future team wants to ever reproduce. The Colorado State Rams are in danger of falling into this historical category. Coming into their matchup Saturday at home against the San Jose State Spartans, the Rams will be on a seven-game losing streak, their worst since they lost 17 in a row in the 2007-08 season. All seven losses have been within their conference schedule, leaving them 3-10 in the Mountain West and sitting in 10th place, only ahead of SJSU. The Spartans are winless in conference and have only three wins all year, yet they carried an 11-point lead into halftime in their first matchup against the Rams on Dec. 30 in San Jose. In the game, the Rams were out-rebounded 37-29 and the Spartans also shot better from the field with a 45.7 percent mark compared to the Rams’ 35.2 percent. Junior guard Prentiss Nixon forced the second-half turnaround for the Rams as he finished with 19 points to lead the Rams. However, the Rams’ leader has missed several games due to injury and limited in the last two games, totaling only 33 minutes and seven points. The emerging threat of the previous matchup between the Rams and Spartans was SJSU’s Ryan Welage, who finished with 16 points that night and is also third in the conference in points per game with 18.7. Outside of Welage, the Spartans do not appear to be excelling at any part of the game. They rank, as a team, in the bottom half of almost every category in the conference, including their 66 points per game which ranks last. If CSU wants to avoid the potential upset, attacking the glass should be a focus area like it has been already this year. The Rams rank fourth in the MW with 38.2 boards per game, led by Nico Carvacho, who ranks second in conference with 9.8 a game, only 0.1 away from first. The Spartans are close behind at 36.3 and did win the battle on the boards last time out. What made the difference for
Colorado State University Senior forward Che Bob goes up for a point against Air Force on Tuesday, Feb. 6. PHOTO BY DAVIS BONNER COLLEGIAN
CSU came from the 23 turnovers committed by the Spartans in the first matchup, something that the Rams have not been able to recreate on defense since. Often times this year, opponents have shot above average against the Rams. The best example is from the worst 3-point shooting team in the conference, the Air Force Falcons, draining shots against the Rams in both of Air Force’s wins. The Cadets had not beaten the Rams since 2011 until they won both games this year. The defensive improvement will have to come without one of the Rams’ other leaders in junior guard, J.D. Paige, as he is still nursing a broken hand suffered on Jan. 24 against San Diego State. In the meantime, the Rams will rely on Raquan Mitchell and Anthony Bonner to carry the load not only on offense, but defense as well. CSU has not won the turnover margin since their 79-74 loss at home to UNLV on Jan. 20. Even with their 9-7 advantage in turnovers, the Rams’ inability to close out halves resulted in them blowing the game against the Rebels. Interim coach Steve Barnes described their end-of-half hiccups as “glitches” and continues
to stress that the team is working hard to try to improve there. Part of the problem could be from the Rams’ lack of depth following the Nixon and Paige injuries, which forced Mitchell and Bonner into starting roles they did not expect to be in. The Rams have felt some fatigue downlow from Carvacho and fellow big man Deion James seeing most of the minutes with only Logan Ryan there to sub in. In a game like the one against the Nevada Wolfpack, in which all three forwards had four fouls, the minutes took an even bigger toll for Carvacho and James,_ who were forced to stay in. For now, the Rams focus looks to be on the Mountain West tournament at the beginning of March. The hope is they will be fully healthy by then and the assessment of head coach Larry Eustachy will not be hanging over the team. Until then, the Rams are looking for a win and the Spartans might just be the team the Rams need to get their first home conference win and give the team some in-season inspiration. Austin White can be reached by at sports@collegian.com.
16 Friday, February 9, 2018 | The Rocky Mountain Collegian