Rams travel to Fresno

Colorado State

2015-2016 record: 15-14 (7-9)

Injury Report: Gian Clavell (out for season)

Projected Starters:

John Gillon, Redshirt Junior, Point Guard, 6-foot: 12.9 ppg, 3.7 apg, 2.9 rpg in 31.5 mpg

Antwan Scott, Redshirt Senior, Guard, 6-foot-2: 16.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 42 3fg% in 29.9 mpg

Joe De Ciman, Senior, Wing, 6-foot-6: 9.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 36 3fg% in 33.1 mpg

Emmanuel Omogbo, Junior, Post, 6-foot-8: 11.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg in 24.9 mpg

Tiel Daniels, Redshirt Senior, Post, 6-foot-5: 9.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 62 fg% in 28.1 mpg

Fresno State

2015-2016 record: 20-9 (11-5)

Injury Report: N/A

Projected Starters:

Cezar Guerrero, Redshirt Senior, Point Guard, 6-foot-1: 8.3 ppg, 2.4 apg, 39 3fg% in 25.4 mpg

Julien Lewis, Redshirt Senior, Guard, 6-foot-4: 6.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 35 3fg% in 21.3 mpg

Marvelle Lewis; Senior; Guard, 6-foot-4: 20.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.6 apg, 2.2 spg in 36.7 mpg

Cullen Russo, Junior, Post, 6-foot-9: 8.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.7 spg in 25.3 mpg

Karachi Edo, Junior, Post, 6-foot-6: 9.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 53 fg% in 23.7 mpg

Analysis

Colorado State’s last conference road game takes them to Fresno State to take on the second place team in the Mountain West Conference. The Bulldogs have won their last four games and six of their last seven. Fresno State is led by do-it-all senior guard Marvelle Harris, a player of the year candidate in the MWC. Fresno State also boasts five other players scoring at least 8 points per game. Here are CSU’s keys to a victory:

Harris Needs Massive Attention

Harris is going to warrant heightened defensive focus from CSU. He’s an elite scoring guard that can also create for his teammates. Harris is a dual-threat that is difficult to contain. He makes a living at the free throw line, so CSU will need to help when he drives and clog the lane. Force other Fresno State players to do the scoring.

Russo Is Clicking

With Torren Jones (10.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg) out since the San Jose State game on 2/3/16, Russo has been playing at a significantly higher level. In the eight games without Jones, Russo is averaging 13.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.0 apg and 2.8 spg. Russo is an athletic four who can occasionally step out and make the three. Defensively, he has active hands that lead to steals, he’s active in the passing lanes. Emmanuel Omogbo will need to limit Russo, who is Fresno State’s ex-factor.

Close Out On The Shooters

Cezar Guerrero, Harris, Jamel Taylor and Paul Watson all make at least 35% of their 3-pointers and make at least one per game. Harris has options to pass it to in dribble-drive situations. CSU needs to close out on the shooters, go over on screens and prevent clean, easy looks from deep.