CSU Men's Basketball? What's that?

After about half an hour of looking for information on the CSU Men’s basketball team I came up with the conclusion that it’s literally nonexistent outside of CSU’s campus. The first article I found on the Bleacher Report dated back to March 9, 2011!!!! Yes almost a year ago!!!! I found this to be very upsetting but then again maybe the Rams just haven’t made a name for themselves to the college basketball world. I believe this needs to happen very soon if Tim Miles (which I adore) wants to keep his job and not end up like Steve Fairchild. The Rams seem to have had a good run last year. This year the current record stands at 5-4 which is dead last in the Mountain West Conference. The Rams really need to bounce back and quickly if they don’t want to be left behind in the dust. Upcoming for the Rams is Texas Southern with a 1-6 record which should be an easy win for the Rams and hopefully a start of a winning record.

After six weeks of college basketball (yeah I know, where does the time go) here at the AP Top 25 college basketball teams. Let me know what you think, whether you agree, disagree, or would like to see some other team on the top 25. 

AP Top 25
RK	TEAM	RECORD	PTS
1	Syracuse (51)	10-0	1,607
2	Ohio State (7)	8-1	1,478
3	Kentucky (4)	8-1	1,468
4	Louisville (2)	9-0	1,374
5	North Carolina (1)	8-2	1,373
6	Baylor	7-0	1,284
7	Duke	9-1	1,273
8	Xavier	8-0	1,122
9	Connecticut	8-1	1,087
10	Missouri	9-0	1,030
11	Marquette	9-0	988
12	Kansas	7-2	945
13	Florida	7-2	891
14	Wisconsin	8-2	728
15	Pittsburgh	9-1	696
16	Georgetown	8-1	602
17	Mississippi State	9-1	574
18	Indiana	9-0	462
19	Illinois	10-0	375
20	Michigan	7-2	354
21	Michigan State	8-2	310
22	Texas A&M	8-1	270
23	Alabama	8-2	204
24	Murray State	10-0	93
25	Creighton	7-1	88
25	Vanderbilt	6-3	88

Moutain West and a BSC Bid

The Mountain West conference asked the BCS for an automatic bid in 2012! I know crazy news to me too! This would be great for the Rams that we all love dearly. The Mountain West conference has met all the guidelines that were set in place in 2004 for a non-automatic qualifying conference to gain access. Experts say if the MWC would have thought about this earlier it would have had what it takes. But now with TCU, Boise State, and Utah leaving the conference that leaves Air Force, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV, and Wyoming which none of these teams were ranked which makes it really hard for the BSC to grant this wish to the conference. If Boise State and TCU would consider staying in the MWC this would change everything and would probably mean a bid at the BCS but without them it will defiantly be hard for the MWC to gain access.

The SEC coming to the Mountain West

You heard that right! Alabama’s offensive coordinator is now the Rams head coach. Jim McElwain became the new head coach for the rams. He has had a huge role in the Crimson Tide record of 47-6 while his time there. This includes a national championship of a 14-0 team that defeated Texas in the BCS championship game. He also has the opportunity to win another national title when the Crimson Tide take on LSU on the in the BSC championship this year. He replaces Steve Fairchild, who was 16-33 in four seasons with CSU. The Rams were 3-9 in each of the past three seasons. Which was one of the main reasons he was let go with 3 years still left in his contract.

Having ties to the Tide which has had such successful seasons is a big hope for the Rams to finally turn things around and start winning some games. Alabama runs multiple formations of a pro-set attack which if McElwain would like to implement at CSU would be possible since Fairchild also ran a pro-style offense. It should be a smooth transition to CSU and hopefully a good one of many successful seasons to come to CSU.  

"It's a great day for Colorado State," said CSU new athletic director Jack Graham. His arrival starts a bold new era for CSU football," Graham said.

Graham said McElwain was signed to a five-year deal, and his yearly base salary will be $1.3 million and another $150,000 in bonuses.

"He is a man of great character and great integrity," Graham said. "We run a squeaky-clean program here; we don't cheat.”  Is what Graham had to say about McElwain during the press conference that announced the hiring.

"I look forward to working hand-in-hand with him to push forward what he started," McElwain said of former coach Sonny Lubick. McElwain mentioned Sonny Lubick a few times which could mean having the same success as him.

"As the vision goes, we put the calendar together and we need to hit the ground running and get the word out on what our plans and vision are," he said. "This bold, new era, I'm really excited to lead" said McElwain. He met with the players before the press conference which shows he is committed to starting right away.

Doug Patmore annul fund director says he is excited to see how this move will affect the donors and boosters which the program is in desperate need of. He is looking forward to what is to come for the Rams and hope only great things to happen from here on out.

Robert Griffin III

That is the 77th winner of the Heisman Trophy. Also known as RG3 beat out preseason favorite Andrew Luck as well as the three other nominees. Griffin became the first player from Baylor to win the award after an amazing season that put the Bears back into national rankings as well as a big competitor in the Big 12. His stats say it all and he is only a junior so if he decides to stay for a second season we can expect the Bears to come back and have another amazing season.

Saturday Upsets

Today has been a day full of upsets from the Xavier, Cininiatti Fight to No. 1 Kentucky and No. 2 Ohio State loosing on the same day. Kentucky lost to Indiana with a 3 point buzzer beater while Ohio State fell to Kansas. Its not everyday that you see both top ranked teams loose but today we did.
No. 1 Kentucky loosing to Indiana was probably one of the most exciting games of the week. A three point buzzer beater by Christian Watford sealed the deal for the Hoosiers. Indiana remained undeated as for the Wildcats this was their first loose. As for Ohio State loosing they just didn't have that drive today which give Kansas the edge. While starting point guard Tyshawn Talyor played through pain with a torn meniscus and a sprained MCL in his right knee. He kept his team in the zone and came up huge with a career high of 13 assists. The Jayhawks played with heart which paid off in the end.

Ohio State vs. Kansas Highlights

Kentucky vs. Indiana Highlights

And the winner is.....

Tonight we will find out who will take home one of the most prestigious awards in college football. The Heisman Trophy has been awarded to top college football players since 1935. The Heisman is a national symbol of collegiate football experience and competitiveness. At the same time, it has become the single most celebrated and sought-after award in American collegiate athletics. Some winners include Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, and the latest addition Cam Newton. Today we will find out who the next winner is. The finalists are:

1. Montee Ball RB, from Wisconsin

2. Robert Griffin III, QB from Baylor (has the opportunity to become the first player from Baylor to Recieve the award)

3. Andrew Luck, QB from Standford

4. Tyrann Mathieu, CB from Louisiana State University

5. Trent Richardson, RB from Alabama

Best of luck to all the finalists, win or not they already had an outstanding season that will not be easily forgotten.

Xavier, Cincinnati Basketball

Well with one of the most popular rivalries in college basketball right now Xavier and Cincinnati took it a little too far on this one. The officials had to end the game early because they didn't know where to go from there. I believe their is no need for anyone to be starting a fight especially for college players, and most importantly if you are on a scholarship. A press conference after the game Cincinnati head coach expressed how embarrassed he is by the whole situation. It is embarrassing situation not only for
the basketball program but for the whole university as a whole. You are representing an institution of higher education and you are not giving it a  good name. It makes me sad to think that all this players involved think so highly of themselves and don't care about the bigger picture.

100 Million

What does this number mean to CSU students? That is the new idea the new AD has for our athletic department. To build an on campus football stadium that will be the price. Not sure how but the AD has said that will be a project while here at CSU. It has been a week since he has been in this position and he has already proposed this huge idea! One BIG questing I have is? Where on CSU campus is this stadium going to be placed? I don't see any room on campus for such a huge addition. I would love to have a sucesseful football program and I agree this is one of the things we can do. New facilities, with great coaches we would be able to attract student athletes, coaches and one of the most important things revenue, such a boosters. Their really is no one that wishes this and bigger things for CSU I just feel a little optimistic about the whole thing.

New Era

Well with Fairchild gone who will take over the head coach position for the football team? That is the main question we will be asking each other until we get that answer! After Ohio State took my favorite coach of all time last week Urban Meyer I figured maybe we can get a big name like that. I can't even imagine the huge impact a big name coach would have at CSU. This would begin with the recruiting class for the upcoming season. Having a well known coach come to CSU would attract players to want to come to CSU and play for that coach. That coach would have plenty of resources and would be able to just create revenue under his name. CSU needs to go after a coach right now! We can't fall behind even more by not selecting a coach soon that can behind the new season on the right foot!

Goodbye.....

This past week has been a total roller coaster ride for the CSU Athletic Department. First the Athletic Director loses his job and now this week the head football coach gets fired. I guess we could have seen coach Fairchild would be gone after the team lost once again and ended the season 3-9 for the third season in a row. But the A.D getting fired was out of nowhere! Especially when there was no official search for a new AD and there was someone in mind before the Paul was let go it all just seems kind of fishy to me. I would hope that this new era for CSU athletics is a good one; I hope we can get a strong football coach that can bring in a strong recruiting class. I mean we can only go up from here right?

TOO MUCH

This past few weeks have been too much to handle for me and the world of college sports first Penn State and now Syracuse I honestly believe our world is messed up and we need to change it. I don't know how to start or what to do but I do know its possible.
I guess I will leave that for another time now back to sports I guess the NBA is back now that half of the season has been wasted I don't know if its a good thing or not.
College football is again headed into bowl season and hopefully this year will make them realize that adopting a playoff system would only benefit the teams and would be better for everyone.

CSU Basketball

Well since we don't have any NBA this season we can focus on college basketball which in Ram County kicks of tommorow at Moby Arena.
The Rams man's basketball team will be opening their season at home against the Montana Grizzlies.
The Women's team will also start their season on Friday at Northern Iowa. Good luck to both teams.
Really hope this year is the year where both teams can reach a new height within their conferences.