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Game notes: CSU basketball hosts Western State in final tune-up
Rams, Mountaineers tip off at 5 p.m. Saturday at Moby Arena
Nov. 5, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format Exhibition Game 2: Colorado State vs. Western State Up next A quick look at the Rams Ogide, a junior forward, is the Rams’ leading returner in both scoring (10.2 ppg.) and rebounding (5.8 rpg.). Junior forward Andre McFarland returns as one of the top three-point threats in the Mountain West Conference. In 2008-09 McFarland connected on 55 treys and a 42.3 percent clip, and averaged 8.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Carr started 18 games as a true freshman in 2008-09, recording 8.8 points and 2.9 assists per game at the point guard position before missing the final six games of the year with a groin injury. Other key returners include senior guard Harvey Perry, who averaged 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, and junior forward Travis Franklin, who averaged 6.5 points and 3.6 boards. Junior guard Adam Nigon, a former walk-on, returns after averaging 2.6 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest. Senior walk-on Arin Dunn, who saw significant playing time in the second half of the season, is back to bolster the Rams’ back court. Mame Bocar Ba, saw action in 22 games (four starts) a season ago, when he recorded 2.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. The team added seven newcomers into the mix. Four freshmen - Pierce Hornung (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley High School), Dorian Green (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence High School), Trevor Williams (Denver, Colo./Lutheran High School), and Greg Smith (Omaha, Neb./Ralston High School) - could make an immediate impact along with junior college addition Johnny Del Bene, a guard from San Diego Mesa College, and transfer Travis Busch, a senior forward from the University of Minnesota who is pursuing his master’s degree at CSU and was granted a waiver by the NCAA to become immediately eligible. Wes Eikmeier, a sophomore guard from Fremont, Neb., will sit out the 2009-10 season after transferring from Iowa State University. Key losses for the Rams include departed senior guards Marcus Walker and Willis Gardner. Walker ranked as the Rams’ top scorer in each of the previous two seasons and was named to the 2007-08 all-MWC second team and MWC Newcomer of the Year, and 2008-09 all-MWC third team. Despite playing just two seasons, Walker reached 15th on CSU’s all-time scoring list (1,009 points). Gardner provided toughness and leadership and was a top performer on the court, starting 53 of 57 career games for the Rams and averaging 9.6 points and 2.5 assists per game. Last time out Green, making his unofficial debut in a Rams uniform, was perfect from the free-throw line, converting all four attempts, while shooting 3-of-6 from three-point range. Ogide, last year’s leading scorer, used 7-of-9 shooting to lead the Rams on offense. The forward also posted seven rebounds. Junior Travis Franklin’s eight boards led the team. Rams vs. the Mountaineers CSU, WSC connection Excellent in exhibition
Mid-season form Juniors Andre McFarland, Andy Ogide and Adam Nigon have performed well in exhibition games during their time at Colorado State. McFarland posted 25 points in just his second outing in a Rams uniform against Chadron State on Nov. 3, 2007. He enters Saturday’s contest vs. Western State averaging 14.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in five career exhibition showings. Ogide led the Rams with 15 points and four rebounds in last season’s exhibition finale vs. Adams State. He is averaging 14.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in three career exhibition outings. Nigon has been dead-on shooting in exhibition contests, converting 15 of 21 shots with an average of 7.4 points. Colorado talent Rams juniors among top MWC returners Classmates Andre McFarland and Travis Franklin also return after strong sophomore campaigns. McFarland connected on 42.3 percent of his shots from three-point range last season, ranking among the best in the league, while Franklin led the Rams with 49 offensive rebounds a season ago, helping the Rams to finish second in the MWC in that category in 2008-09 with an average of 11.10 per contest. Since 1902 MWC preseason poll
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