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Fresno State vs Colorado State: Game Preview, Radio, Odds & More
The Rams have an opportunity for a strong conference start
Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire
Can the Rams gain conference momentum?
WHO: Fresno State Bulldogs (2-0) vs. Colorado State Rams (3-1)
WHEN: Monday, December 28 — 6:00 PM MT/5:00 PM PT | Wednesday, December 30 — 2:00 PM MT/1:00 PM PT
WHERE: Moby Arena; Fort Collins, CO
STREAM: MW Network
LISTEN: Colorado State Rams Radio 102.9 FM TuneIn | Fresno State Bulldogs Radio 940AM TuneIn
SERIES RECORD: These games will be the 39th and 40th matchups between the teams respectively. CSU currently holds the series lead at 20-18.
ODDS via BETMGM: Colorado State -8.5 (12/28)
After an atrocious loss to Saint Mary’s, the Rams responded against Santa Clara with a 13 point victory. The Rams now open Mountain West conference play against the Fresno State Bulldogs. The MW changed it up a bit this year, so teams will still play twice, they’ll just be doing it at one location. This means the Rams will play the Bulldogs twice in a three day span in Fort Collins.
Fresno State will only be playing their third game in this weird season. This will also be the Bulldogs first game in nine days. Overall, Fresno has had five games postponed or cancelled so far this season. They’re in a similar situation as the Rams were last week.
The Bulldogs have some new blood this year. As four D1 transfers and two JUCO transfers have helped cover some losses. Junior Ballard, a transfer from Tulsa, is currently leading the Bulldogs in scoring this year. Orlando Robinson, the lone returning starter, is the MW leading rebounder at 10.5 per game.
The Rams won’t have much film to work off of as the Bulldogs have only played two games, one against an NAIA school and another against a D2 school. They’ll just need to play their game and let the game come to them instead of forcing things.
Isaiah Stevens and David Roddy are leading this Colorado State team with 15.3 points per game each. Roddy is also the leading rebounder at 8.3 per game. Kendle Moore is the only other Ram in double figures at 10.5 points per game.
Dischon Thomas and James Moors will need to step up some more against the Bulldogs. Robinson can take over games when he wants to, so the Rams big men will need to be on their toes the whole game. If the Rams can avoid their traditional slow start to a game, they’ll be just fine these games.
Prediction: Colorado State 76, Fresno State 65 (12/28); Colorado State 81, Fresno State 72 (12/30)
Next Up: The Rams next series will be at San Diego State on January 2nd and 4th. The Bulldogs next series will home against Wyoming on January 2nd and 4th.
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