Coaching Career of Matt Grahoben

[grahoben]

After a disappointing last place finish in 2017-18, Colorado State has made waves in the coaching carousel by hiring 28-year old Matt Grahoben to lead its men's basketball team, and to lead the program back to glory. Colorado State's last tournament appearance came in 2013, and the program has steadily declined until bottoming out with a 7-21 record last season. Grahoben is expected to use an up tempo style of play that will hopefully improve on last season's results. Although last year was a struggle for the Rams, there is some reason for optimism, as Grahoben's new team is lead by 4 seniors.

Coaching Record:

2018-19
Team: Colorado State
Record:
Conference Finish:
Postseason:
Awards:

[grahoben]

#1 Oliver Harvey - Averaged 10.8 points and 4.5 assists as a freshman. Probably better off the ball, but he will open the season as the starting point guard with Jacob Rhymer locked into the starting lineup.
#3 Chris Smith - Solid shooter, needs to work on decision making but could have an impact in the future. Since we have a lot of depth at guard, he will be redshirted this year.
#4 Jacob Rhymer - Made the MWC All-Conference 2nd Team as a junior, leading returning scorer at 14.8 PPG. Also a very good three point shooter at 37.8%.
#10 Art Bonner - Solid guard off the bench, scored almost 8 points per game as a freshman. Will be the second option at point guard but can also shoot well enough to play off the ball.
#11 Brandon Hancock - Very good defender as a freshman, has a chance to see some playing time off the bench.
#13 Dan James - Started at center last season, could improve shooting percentage but is a pretty good rebounder.
#20 Lou Thomas - Played sparingly off the bench in 2017-18. Won't score much but looks to be a solid defender and rebounder.
#22 Eddie Hunter - Redshirted last season, looks like one of the best defensive guards on the team but offense may need some time to develop.
#24 Stephan Edward - Great three point shooter, started 26 games last year and averaged 7.6 points with 3.5 rebounds.
#32 Nathan Jessie - Scored 4.9 points per game off the bench last season, doesn't stretch the floor but is good at scoring inside.
#33 Coray Dukes - Sitting out this season after transfering from Indiana State, where he scored 8.7 points per game as a freshman.
#40 DeShawn Phillips - Didn't get much of an opportunity as a freshman, but has great size and potential.
#41 Craig Conrad - Barely played last season, should get a bit more playing time this year.
#51 Collis Lawson - Walkon who joined the team in 2018-19.
#52 Dave Costello - Walkon, played 4 games in 2017-18.

[grahoben]

2018-19 Schedule
November:
14 - @ Ohio State L 76-62
17 - UT-Arlington W 88-67
21 - St. Peter's W 94-72
24 - North Florida 97-80
28 - Fordham L 72-69

December:
1 - @ Pittsburgh L 70-55
5 - Creighton W 92-89
13 - @ Colorado W 83-73
19 - @ SMU L 84-74
30 - @ Air Force W 87-84

January:
1 - Wyoming W 90-81
3 - Boise State L 83-72
6 - @ Utah State L 118-111 2OT
13 - @ Nevada L 78-71
17 - Fresno State W 75-60
20 - @ New Mexico W 85-71
22 - UNLV
24 - San Diego State
27 - @ San Jose State
31 - @ Wyoming

February:
3 - Air Force
5 - @ Boise State
7 - Utah State
10 - @ UNLV
17 - Nevada
21 - @ San Diego State
24 - New Mexico

Preseason Top 25:
1. North Carolina
2. Kansas
3. Louisville
4. Gonzaga
5. Michigan
6. Michigan State
7. Kentucky
8. Arizona
9. Villanova
10. Indiana
11. Duke
12. Virginia
13. Maryland
14. Texas
15. Wisconsin
16. Xavier
17. Butler
18. Florida
19. Syracuse
20. Iowa
21. Iowa State
22. Tennessee
23. Ohio State
24. Cincinnati
25. Oklahoma

Mountain West Preseason Poll:
1. San Diego State
2. Boise State
3. Utah State
4. Wyoming
5. New Mexico
6. San Jose State
7. Air Force
8. Colorado State
9. Fresno State
10. Nevada
11. UNLV

[Wayne23]

Welcome! Tough pre-conference schedule!

[PointGuard]

Nice start on your dynasty postings. Looking forward to seeing how things go for the Rams.

[grahoben]

Thanks! Haven't played this in a while but with basketball season going on I got the itch haha

[grahoben]

All things considered, the season opener went pretty well against a ranked team that made the tournament last season. The Rams came out of the gates very slowly, scoring only 7 points in the first 10 minutes and 20 in the first half. The second half provided a much greater offensive output, but every time Colorado State came within striking distance the Buckeyes extended their lead.

Notes:
-Oliver Harvey had a great game overall, leading the Rams with 21 points and creating a lot of offense in transition with his 4 steals.
-Jacob Rhymer could never get in a rhythm, as he fouled out with 6 minutes to go. He was the best player on last year's team, so hopefully his is nothing more than a slow start.
-Turnovers were a huge issue the whole game, as everyone who played turned the ball over at least once.
-The plan was to get everyone in the game, but the second half ended up being much closer than expected. Brandon Hancock and Eddie Hunter should see some playing time in the first few home games against weaker teams.

Around the Mountain West:
Lipscomb 73 @ UNLV 79
Wyoming 56 @ SMU 78
San Diego State 79 @ Northwestern 89
Boise State 64 @ St. Francis (NY) 71
Jackson State 81 @ Wyoming 79

[grahoben]

Game 2 was a huge success as the first win for Colorado State under Matt Grahoben. The Rams took control early, taking a double digit lead and forcing UT Arlington to take a timeout within the first 4 minutes. Colorado State maintained its large lead throughout the entire second half, and the home opener proved to be an easy game.

Notes:
-Starting forwards Craig Conrad and Stephan Edward were the biggest stars, combining for 40 points on the night.
-Ball movement was incredible, as the Rams had 28 assists on 37 made field goals.
-Brandon Hancock had a successful debut, leading all bench players with 7 points in 8 minutes.

Around the MWC:
Kansas State 68 @ Air Force 63
UNLV 63 @ Marshall 92
Rider 60 @ San Jose State 73
Minnesota 58 @ Nevada 72
Elon 70 @ Wyoming 69
Penn 58 @ New Mexico 65
Mississippi Valley State 66 @ Air Force 93
Utah State 82 vs San Diego State 76
#16 Florida State 77 vs Fresno State 70
Utah State 76 vs Nebraska 58
La Salle 64 @ Boise State 81
Cleveland State 61 @ San Jose State 79

[PointGuard]

Crikey! 28 assists!

[grahoben]

St. Peter's came out of strong on the road, taking a two point lead into halftime. Colorado State's defense picked up the slack in the 2nd half, and the Rams outscored the Peacocks by 24 in the final 20 minutes. Despite dealing with extreme foul trouble early in the game, Colorado State was able to pick up the win mainly due to a great performance from the bench.

Notes:
-Nathan Jessie had his best game in a Colorado State uniform, scoring 23 points on a perfect 11-11 from the field.
-Dan James was limited by a minor hip injury, but he still managed a solid 12 points and 3 rebounds.
-This was Colorado State's best job of handling the ball, as the Rams only turned the ball over 11 times.

Around the MWC:
#14 Iowa 96 vs Utah State 68
Air Force 83 @ Georgia Tech 104
Towson 40 @ New Mexico 73
South Dakota 65 @ San Diego State 76
UNLV 65 @ Western Illinois 42
Boise State 75 @ Stephen F. Austin 82
Fresno State 60 @ NJIT 66
San Jose State 70 @ Montana State 77
Utah State 67 @ Texas 84
Maine 56 @ Nevada 68