The Colorado State Rams opened up 2025 with a blowout win over conference opponent Fresno State in Moby Arena Tuesday night thanks to two major factors, stout defense fueled by aggressiveness. CSU showed that their final win of 2024, over San Jose State on the road, was not a fluke after holding the Bulldogs to 26 first half points off of only seven made shots. CSU held San Jose State to 15 first half points on New Years Eve, now allowing only 41 first half points in their last two contests. The defensive prowess of the Rams has seemed to stem a sense of identity for this team after many fans and even players did not know what this teams identity would be heading into this season.
Keshawn Williams spoke on the growth of the Rams’ identity postgame stating, “earlier in the season coach talked about our identity, and we didn’t really know where our identity was.” It was apparent that the Rams have found their identity after tonight’s 91-64 win after forcing 17 turnovers as well as holding Fresno State to only 19 made shots. Williams added, “I think we’ve established it’s on the defensive end so far, so I think you could say that’s our identity.” It seems like the cliche saying of “defense wins championships” fits well for the way the Rams played the Bulldogs tonight and I anticipate it will bleed through into the rest of the season and the way the Rams attack teams defensively moving forward.
Head Coach Niko Medved exemplified this notion after the game stating, “We have a ways to go still. I think we’re really growing that way.” The growth is apparent in this young squad as CSU held Fresno State to just 38 percent shooting in the game which Medved credited to a whole team effort when it comes to the defensive end of the floor. “In a lot of ways, a lot of guys are kind of stepping up, learning. We’re a lot more connected on that end.” Tonight’s win was a prime example of how this young team has begun to mature with Niko adding, “This is a group we’re going to have to win playing great defense.”…