Nique Clifford Shows Real NBA Prowess in Colorado State's First Four Win Over Virginia

Clifford and the CSU Rams proved to the nation that they not only belong in the tourney, but probably should have been a higher seed.

© Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

All of the controversy involving UVA's admission to the NCAA Tournament was erased yesterday when the Mountain West's Colorado State Rams dominated the Cavaliers, 67-42, advancing to play Texas in the first round of the tourney in Charlotte, NC. 

There were plenty of teams that analysts had as more deserving than the Hoos in March Madness – schools like St. John's, Providence, Oklahoma, Indiana State, and Pittsburgh all had arguments to be let into The Big Dance. 

But it ended up behind Virginia. 

One team that deserved a higher seed proved so last night in an absolute walloping of Tony Bennett's Cavs. The CSU Rams, led by two NBA prospects in wing Nique Clifford and guard Isaiah Stevens (as well as a huge night from Joel Scott), throttled UVA and allowed just 42 total points, including 14 – yes, 14 – total points in the first half of play. 

While Clifford wasn't the leading scorer, he got fairly close to a triple-double, putting up 17 points, 10 boards, and six assists. He hit 7-of-12 shots from the field, as well as 2-for-3 on free throw attempts and 1-for-4 on 3-point shots. 

He showed the ability to break guys down off the dribble and attack the basket, creating rim pressure as a wing player. The 6-foot-6 off-guard/wing has excellent size for his position, and has a very mature game, one defined by high awareness and IQ. 

On the season, he's averaging 12.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and three assists, while only turning the ball over 1.7 times per game. He converts on 52.6% of his shots from the floor, including 37.7% of his triples. He also sports a 59% effective field goal percentage. 

The obvious criticism of Nique Clifford is his age – he is a senior who puts up just 12.3 points per game, but focusing on his scoring is missing the point. 

Clifford is an impact guy because of his all-around game, not because he's a player who's going to give a team 20+ points a night. The rebounding and connective passing make Clifford the type of player who could come in on a good team and contribute immediately, though it seems likely that he would start his professional career on a two-way contract, playing some G League and some NBA minutes.

He will matchup against Texas' Dillon Mitchell likely in the Round of 64, which will give him a good test against real NBA athleticism. 

Watch out for Nique Clifford. He'll be around for a long time.

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