Colorado State’s basketball team is gearing up to face off against Texas in the NCAA Tournament after a resounding victory over Virginia in the First Four matchup. The Rams secured their first tournament win since 2013, earning themselves a spot in the first round of March Madness. With a 67-42 win over Virginia, the No. 10 seed Rams are now set to take on the No. 7 Longhorns in the Midwest Region of the tournament bracket on Thursday.
Despite entering the tournament with a 22-9 record and a loss in the Mountain West conference semifinals, Colorado State managed to secure an at-large bid and make their way into the field of 64. Head coach Niko Medved expressed his surprise and pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing their readiness to compete at a high level.
Leading the charge for Colorado State in their dominant win was forward Joel Scott, who put up 23 points and 11 rebounds, accompanied by Nique Clifford’s 17 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. The Rams’ solid performance on both ends of the court helped them secure a comfortable victory over Virginia, holding them to only 42 points for the game.
Looking ahead, Colorado State is now focused on their upcoming matchup against Texas, scheduled to take place at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Rams will be looking to build on their recent success and advance further in the tournament.
In their storied history, Colorado State has made 11 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with their most recent entry in 2022 resulting in an upset loss in the first round. Despite facing challenges in the past, the Rams have shown resilience and determination, aiming to make a deeper run in this year’s March Madness.