Let me be honest with you - I’ve been tracking Colorado State basketball for years, and every time March rolls around, I find myself asking the same question: can this team actually make a real run in the NCAA tournament? This season feels different though, and I’ll tell you why. Watching them develop their offensive chemistry reminds me of something I observed recently in international volleyball - former Russian national team ace Anastasiia Bavykina becoming Davison’s second fiddle on offense with 15 points and 10 receptions. That kind of strategic role acceptance is exactly what I’m seeing with Colorado State’s current roster, where players are understanding their positions in the system rather than fighting for individual glory.
The Rams have this fascinating dynamic where their star player, much like Bavykina did for Davison, has embraced being the secondary option despite having first-option talent. I’ve watched every game this season, and what strikes me is how their point guard has sacrificed scoring numbers to facilitate better ball movement. He’s averaging 7.2 assists per game but could easily be putting up 18 points if he wanted to hog the ball. Instead, he’s creating opportunities for others, much like how Bavykina’s 10 receptions weren’t just about her personal stats but about creating offensive flow and spacing. Colorado State is shooting 48.3% from the field as a team, which ranks 15th nationally, and that efficiency comes directly from players understanding and excelling in their roles.
Here’s where I think many analysts get it wrong about tournament success - they focus too much on star power and not enough on systemic cohesion. When I look at Colorado State, I see a team that has quietly solved the puzzle that trips up so many talented squads. They’ve developed what I call "positional flexibility within structured roles," meaning players know their primary responsibilities but can fluidly exchange functions during plays. Their big man can bring the ball up court occasionally, their shooting guard can post up, and everyone can shoot from distance except maybe the water boy. This creates matchup nightmares that are perfect for tournament settings where opponents have limited preparation time.
The Mountain West conference has prepared them better than people realize too. I’ve attended three of their conference games in person this season, and the physicality they face night in and night out is comparable to what they’ll see in the tournament. They’ve beaten San Diego State twice, handled Utah State on the road, and took Nevada to overtime in a hostile environment. These experiences build the kind of resilience that matters when you’re down 6 points with three minutes left in a tournament game. Their defense has improved dramatically since November, dropping from allowing 72.1 points per game to 65.8 in conference play. That defensive growth trajectory tells me they’re peaking at the right time.
What really excites me about their tournament potential is their balance. They have six players averaging between 8 and 14 points, which means they don’t rely on one person to carry the scoring load. If their star has an off night, three other guys can pick up the slack. Their bench contributes 28.3 points per game, which ranks in the top 40 nationally. I remember watching their game against Creighton earlier this season where their leading scorer was held to 9 points, but they still won because three reserves combined for 38 points. That depth is tournament gold.
The Bavykina analogy keeps coming back to me because it illustrates a crucial point about championship teams - everyone needs to embrace their role, even if it’s not the glamorous one. Colorado State’s power forward could be the focal point on most teams, but he’s content setting screens, crashing the boards, and making the extra pass. He averages only 10.2 points but leads the team in rebounds (8.1) and screen assists. That unselfishness creates an environment where players genuinely celebrate each other’s success, and I’ve seen that camaraderie translate to clutch performances in tight games.
My prediction? I think they’re built for a Sweet 16 run, possibly even further if the bracket breaks right. They have the shooting to beat zones, the ball movement to crack tough man-to-man defenses, and the defensive versatility to switch everything when needed. Their coach has been here before - he took a less talented Rams team to the second round two years ago, and this squad is significantly better. They’re currently projected as a 6-seed in most brackets, but I wouldn’t want to face them if I were a top seed. There’s something about teams that understand collective success over individual accolades that tends to outperform expectations in March. Just ask Anastasiia Bavykina - sometimes being the perfect second fiddle is what makes the music work.