Coaching Career of Matt Grahoben

[grahoben]

Colorado State's offensive outburst continued against North Florida, as the Rams scored a season-high 97 points in their third consecutive win. Foul trouble plagued Colorado State once again, but 44 bench points made a huge difference in the rather easy win.

Notes:
-This was Jacob Rhymer's best game of the season, as he finally scored in double figures.
-Colorado State is now 2nd in the country in field goal percentage, at 58.2% through four games, only trailing Washington State.
-North Florida stayed in the game with hot shooting, going 10-20 from three and 16-16 from the free throw line.

Around the MWC:
Wyoming 66 @ Nebraska-Omaha 82
Boise State 68 @ #2 Kentucky 85
Mercer 66 @ San Jose State 53
New Mexico 87 vs Rutgers 76
Quinnipiac 63 @ UNLV 72
Howard 63 @ Fresno State 82
Saint Louis 84 vs New Mexico 81
St. Bonaventure 76 @ Utah State 85
San Diego State 93 @ Cal State Northridge 83

[grahoben]

Colorado State's 3 game winning streak came to an end, as the Fordham Rams jumped out to a quick 24-8 lead in the first 8 minutes of the game. The home Rams battled back, but never did take the lead despite making it a one-possession game many times in the second half. Fordham's dominance in the paint was the difference, as they blocked 10 shots.

Notes:
-Fordham's starting frontcourt of Michael Kent and Gary Knight combined to score 35 points, as they got easy baskets throughout the game.
-Post defense was better with DeShawn Phillips in the game, but he and Dan James struggled to guard Fordham's bigs.

Around the MWC:
Utah State 68 @ #19 Villanova 89
UNLV 54 @ #3 Indiana 69
New Mexico 63 @ Delaware 81
American 74 @ Air Force 65
Lamar 53 @ Boise State 68
St. Francis (NY) @ Fresno State 65
UCLA 75 @ Wyoming 82

[grahoben]

The Rams were intimidated stepping into a hostile environment, as they fell into a quick 16-2 hole before mounting any sort of comeback. Colorado State reduced Pitt's lead to 5 points midway through the second half, but they could never break through and take the lead.

Notes:
-This was one of Colorado State's worst shooting performances, going 3-15 from three and 4-8 from the free throw line.
-Colorado State drew only 9 fouls, compared to committing 19.

Around the MWC:
Nevada 72 @ Rhode Island 49
High Point 60 @ San Jose State 68
San Diego State 53 @ #2 Indiana 82
Nevada 61 @ #1 Michigan State 73
Colgate 50 @ Fresno State 68
Eastern Washington 76 @ Utah State 91
Boise State 61 @ Idaho 70
Saint Louis 80 @ New Mexico 56
Air Force 78 @ Cleveland State 71

[grahoben]

The biggest home game of the nonconference season was a game of runs, as Creighton marched back into the game after Colorado State took an early double digit lead. The Blue Jays led to begin the second half, but a massive run fueled by Jacob Rhymer gave the Rams a lead they wouldn't give up. Creighton stayed in the game with some clutch three point shooting in the final minute, but Colorado State made enough free throws down the stretch to hold on.

Notes:
-Free throw shooting was huge, as Colorado State went 30-33 (91%).
-Jacob Rhymer had a great all-around game, scoring 17 points, and posting 6 rebounds and 7 assists.

Around the MWC:
Fresno State 54 @ #14 Villanova 81
San Diego State 70 @ Nebraska-Omaha 76
San Jose State 56 @ Chicago State 73
Wyoming 77 @ Delaware 87
Nevada 71 @ James Madison 78
Boise State 79 @ Hofstra 78
New Mexico 68 @ UNC Wilmington 64
Air Force 67 @ Drexel 68
Utah State 69 @ William & Mary 61
UNLV 58 @ Southern Utah 68
New Mexico 65 @ #12 Michigan 94
Air Force 52 @ Tennessee State 57
Fresno State 67 @ #16 UConn 76
#25 Oklahoma 77 @ San Diego State 67
Texas 95 @ Nevada 98
Coppin State 68 @ UNLV 78
San Jose State 64 @ Seattle 85

[grahoben]

Colorado State's road trip got off to a fantastic start, as the Rams picked up a big win against their rival Colorado. After falling behind in the first half, the Buffs fought back to take a brief lead with 16 minutes to go in the second half, but another run by the Rams gave them the lead for good.

Notes:
-Colorado State had a huge advantage in transition points, leading 22-2.
-DeShawn Phillips had a big game off the bench, scoring 13 points in 15 minutes.

Around the MWC:
Utah State 78 @ #23 Pittsburgh 68
Chattanooga 65 @ Air Force 64
Boise State 62 @ Mississippi State 83
UTSA 79 @ New Mexico 102
UNLV 72 @ Rider 76
San Diego State 72 @ Saint Louis 96
Nevada 83 @ High Point 74
New Mexico 46 @ #1 Michigan State 75
San Jose State 62 @ Jacksonville State 69
Temple 75 vs UNLV 53
Toledo 91 @ Utah State 71
IUPUI 53 @ Wyoming 75

[PointGuard]

Obviously this game was played BEFORE Coach KD Durst took over as head coach for Colorado!

[grahoben]

Definitely... Colorado isn't very good in my game. I simulated one year before taking a job and they went 6-22!

[grahoben]

Josh Stanton led the way with 29 points, and John Butler added 21 to lead SMU to a victory at home against Colorado State. The biggest difference was rebounding, as the Mustangs hauled in 11 offensive rebounds, leading to 13 second chance points. The Rams finish the nonconference portion of the schedule at 5-4, and stay on the road as they travel to Colorado Springs to take on Air Force.

Notes:
-The Rams had 16 turnovers, which is its highest total in the last few games. This led to SMU putting up 17 fast break points.
-This was Jacob Rhymer's third consecutive game leading Colorado State in assists, as he has found a way to distribute while playing off the ball.
-Brandon Hancock has continued to see increased minutes, and the freshman delivered with 5 points on 2-3 shooting.

Around the MWC:
Nevada 66 @ #6 Indiana 81
Air Force 93 @ Eastern Illinois 101
Utah State 84 @ Lipscomb 85
San Diego State 72 @ Texas 82
San Jose State 54 @ West Virginia 71
Florida A&M 77 @ Fresno State 97
Winthrop 64 @ Wyoming 77
Texas Southern 71 @ Fresno State 74
San Jose State 51 @ Tulsa 76
Wyoming 69 @ Memphis 61
Nevada 56 vs George Mason 56
Marshall 81 vs Boise State 73
Marshall 68 vs Nevada 60

Mountain West Nonconference Standings (RPI)
Utah State 6-5 (26)
New Mexico 5-5 (69)
Nevada 6-4 (80)
Colorado State 5-4 (88)
Fresno State 5-4 (131)
UNLV 4-5 (141)
San Diego State 2-7 (176)
Boise State 3-6 (243)
Wyoming 4-5 (269)
San Jose State 3-7 (315)
Air Force 2-7 (345)

[grahoben]

Stats through non-conference season:

[grahoben]

Tuesday, December 27th:
Off day

San Diego State 91 @ Fresno State 81
San Jose State 43 @ Nevada 54
Air Force 75 @ UNLV 87
Boise State 64 @ Utah State 91




Senior guard Jacob Rhymer had a rough game with 7 turnovers, but he delivered in the clutch to secure Colorado State's first victory. After Joe Edwards tied the game with 8 seconds to go, Rhymer knocked down a deep three at the buzzer, stunning the home crowd. The Rams led by double digits for most of the first half, but Air Force came back and eventually took the lead with 5 minutes remaining. From there, the lead changed hands many times, but eventually Colorado State pulled out the win.

Notes:
-Foul trouble was brutal, as four Rams had 4 or more fouls.
-DeShawn Phillips had a career night, scoring 20 off the bench. Unfortunately, he was also plagued by foul trouble, so his time on the court was limited.
-Phillips and Nathan Jessie combined to go 14-14 from the field, sparking the Rams offense off the bench.

Nevada 85 @ Wyoming 72
New Mexico 66 @ San Diego State 86
UNLV 74 @ Boise State 81
Fresno State 67 @ San Jose State 57