Colorado vs. No. 20 CSU: Rocky Mountain Showdown hardwood preview

Buffs and Rams battle for bragging righs and a top 25 ranking

Chet Strange-USA TODAY Sports

The Rocky Mountain Showdown hits the hardwood tonight at Moby Arena in Fort Collins as the Colorado Buffaloes (5-1) make their way north to take on the No. 20 Colorado State Rams. The Rams are perfect on the season at 6-0 with their biggest win coming on Thanksgiving Day against the Creighton Blue Jays, who were ranked eighth in the nation at the time. Meanwhile, CU looks to get back into the top 25 after dropping out with the loss to Florida State.

Tip-off set for 9pm ET on CBS Sports Network

WIN THE GLASS

No doubt rebounding will be huge in this game as the last thing the Buffs will want to do is give a Rams offense a second opportunity to come up with points. CU is averaging 38.5 rebounds a game and are led by Eddie Lampkin Jr. who is averages nearly 8.2 boards a game. Right behind him is J’Vonne Hadley, who averages 5.8 boards. On the other side for the Rams, it’s Joel Scott the transfer from Division II, Black Hills State University who is averaging 6.8 boards a game. Nique Clifford is just as good on the boards ripping down 6.7. CSU as a team averages 32.8 boards a game and no doubt both CU coach Tad Boyle and CSU coach Niko Medved will be circling rebounds as a key to winning this game.

ELIMINATE TURNOVERS

The Rams are one of the best teams when it comes to not turning the ball over, having only turned the ball over 10.2 times per game. Meanwhile the Rams defense can pick the pocket of their opponents and produce points when that happens The Rams average 17.0 points off turnovers and allow just 9.2. The Buffs will need to find a way to force the Rams ball handler Isaiah Stevens to turn over the ball. Stevens has 12 on the season and only turned the ball over once against Creighton. Buffs have been great at scoring points off turnovers averaging 19.0 a game.

CU, on the other hand, has had issues when it comes to turnovers on the season averaging 14.0 per game. When the Buffs turnover the ball it tends to lead to points for the opposition, who are averaging 13.2 points a game off turnovers. CSU will try and force Tristan Da Silva to turn over the ball. Da Silva only had one turnover in the win against Iona, but he had six in the loss to Florida State. He will need to be always aware of the double team and find the open man to create chances for his teammates.

PLAYERS TO WATCH ON CSU

Isaiah Stevens is the leader of this Rams team and last year was First Team All-Mountain West. On the season he is averaging 17.5ppg and 7.83 assists per game. Twice on the season he has had double digit assists and he is great at not turning the ball over. He is one of the smartest and best players on the floor for the Rams.

Joel Scott last year’s Division II National Player of the Year and All-American transfer from Black Hills State and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference the same conference that produced Derrick White who would go onto play at CU and now in the NBA and Scott looks to do the same. He is a big body, and he will use his strength to his advantage as he is a player that is not afraid to be physical and go to the rack. On the season he is the team’s second-best scorer averaging 14.5 points a game while bringing down nearly 7 boards.

Nique Clifford the former Buff has found his new home in Fort Collins, and it has paid off big for the former Gatorade player of the year out of Colorado Springs. Clifford with the Buffs is averaging career highs in points with 13.2 his best at CU was 6.7 his sophomore year. Clifford is averaging 6.7 boards a game and is shooting the lights out from deep right now at .62 percent. Tad Boyle and company knows Clifford’s strengths and weaknesses, but no doubt the former Buff will want to go off against his former team.

PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR CU

Tristan Da silva who became the 40th Buff to reach 1,000 career points in the win against Iona. The All-Pac 12 First teamer if he has a big game could pass former Buff greats Andrew Roberson (1,012) and Mr. Bigshot Chauncey Billups (1,020). On the season Da Silva has been tremendous averaging 15.2ppg and is shooting .50% from long range.

KJ Simpson leads the way in scoring on the year for the Buffs dropping 18.3 points a game. Simpson like his counterpart Steven can dish the ball. Simpson is averaging 4.5 assists per game. He is also CU’s best free throw shooter; at the stripe he is hitting .88% of this free throws the Rams will need to do their best to keep Simpson away from line.

Eddie Lampkin Jr. has been a dominant force around the rim for the Buffs raking down 8.2 boards a game. He also averages 8.2 points a game. No doubt he will need to make his presence known on the glass tonight if the Buffs want to get a win on the road.

The Rocky Mountain Showdown Hardwood addition should be a high-scoring affair between the Buffs and Rams. Moby Arena will be rocking, and signs will be out, and the students will be rowdy. It is everything you want to see in a rivalry game and a game that could put the Buffs back in the top 25 if they can come out with the win.