Colorado State Men's Basketball Ncaa Tournament History
The Colorado State Men's Basketball team has a long and storied history in the NCAA Tournament. They have appeared in the tournament 12 times, with their first appearance coming in 1954. Over the years, the team has had some memorable moments in the tournament, including a few upsets and some close calls. In this article, we will take a closer look at the team's NCAA Tournament history and some of the key moments that have made the Rams a force to be reckoned with on the court.
1954: The First Appearance
Colorado State's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament came in 1954. The team was led by head coach Jim Williams and star player Bill Green. The Rams earned a spot in the tournament after winning the Skyline Conference championship. In their first game, Colorado State faced off against the Utah Utes. Despite a strong performance by Green, who scored 28 points, the Rams lost the game 66-64. Despite the loss, it was a historic moment for the program and set the stage for future success in the tournament.
1963: The Sweet Sixteen
The 1963 NCAA Tournament was a special one for Colorado State. The team, led by head coach Jim Williams, won the Mountain States Conference and earned a spot in the tournament. In their first game, the Rams faced off against the Oklahoma City Chiefs. The game was a close one, but Colorado State prevailed, winning 62-61. In the second round, the Rams faced off against the Arizona Wildcats. Once again, the game was a close one, but the Rams were able to come out on top, winning 64-61. With the win, Colorado State advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in program history. In the Sweet Sixteen, the Rams faced off against the Loyola Ramblers. Despite a strong performance by Green, who scored 24 points, the Rams lost the game 81-69. Despite the loss, it was an impressive run by the Rams and a moment that the program will never forget.
1989: The Upset
The 1989 NCAA Tournament was a memorable one for Colorado State. The team, led by head coach Boyd Grant and star player David Robinson, earned a spot in the tournament after winning the WAC championship. In their first game, the Rams faced off against the Florida Gators. Despite being the lower seed, Colorado State pulled off the upset, winning the game 68-46. In the second round, the Rams faced off against the top-seeded Georgetown Hoyas. Once again, the Rams pulled off the upset, winning the game 58-48. With the win, Colorado State advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the second time in program history. In the Sweet Sixteen, the Rams faced off against the Missouri Tigers. Despite a strong performance by Robinson, who scored 30 points, the Rams lost the game 78-65. Despite the loss, it was an impressive run by the Rams and a moment that the program will never forget.
2012: The Return
After a long absence from the NCAA Tournament, Colorado State made a triumphant return in 2012. The team, led by head coach Tim Miles and star player Wes Eikmeier, earned a spot in the tournament after finishing second in the Mountain West Conference. In their first game, the Rams faced off against the Murray State Racers. Despite a strong performance by Eikmeier, who scored 17 points, the Rams lost the game 58-41. While the tournament run was short-lived, it was an important moment for the program and set the stage for future success.
Conclusion
The Colorado State Men's Basketball team has a rich history in the NCAA Tournament. From their first appearance in 1954 to their most recent appearance in 2012, the Rams have had some memorable moments on the court. Whether it was their Sweet Sixteen run in 1963 or their upset over Georgetown in 1989, the team has always played with heart and determination. As the program looks to the future, fans can be confident that the Rams will continue to make their mark in the NCAA Tournament and beyond.