LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The vibes were immaculate inside the Thomas & Mack Center as Colorado State basketball made history. A day after taking down Utah State by double-digits, Colorado State ran it back for another dominant win, this time to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The cheers, DJ Khaled's "All I Do Is Win" blaring through the loudspeakers, the cutting of the net, it just seemed right for the Rams who were celebrating.
“It's awesome, that's what you work for all year,” said Mountain West tournament MVP Nique Clifford. “They picked us seventh. You want to prove people wrong and it feels sweet to do so.”
The Rams beat the Broncos 69-56 Saturday to capture their first Mountain West championship since 2003. It was a moment of triumph, especially since the Rams hadn't reached the NCAA tournament three times in four years since the 1960s. Colorado State made it to the tournament last year but fell to Texas in the round of 64.
Coach Niko Medved expressed his pride, stating, “This group from December to now, it's a story of resilience and staying together. Every time we asked for more, they gave it to us. Just an incredible performance in the biggest game of the year.” Indeed, after overcoming early-season struggles, the Rams have made the most of their late-season surge, ending the tournament with ten straight wins.
Numerous players stepped up to support the victory. Senior Ethan Morton had a season-high 11 points on Saturday. “Man, it's just a blessing,” Morton said of his performance. “Just thank you, God, for letting me do this today. Just glad to help my team win. If you say one thing about me and my career, I’ve been through a lot, but you can say I’m a winner.”
After the celebration, excitement shifted toward Selection Sunday. The Rams looked forward to seeing where they would land within the NCAA Tournament bracket, with Medved acknowledging, “It's going to be exciting to find out.”
Looking back at the game, the Rams led from the start and had prominent moments during the second half. With their largest lead reaching 25 points, they controlled the pace of play and maintained momentum. Despite shooting only 33% from the field in the first half, they improved to 43% after the break. Colorado State also capitalized on Boise State's mistakes, scoring 17 points off 13 turnovers from the Broncos.
While the Broncos attempted to mount a comeback, inching within five points early in the second half, the Rams quickly asserted themselves back to dominance, securing their championship victory. “We aren’t done yet,” Medved added confidently. “It’s going to be really special.”
The Mountain West's competitive tournament also showcased other standout performances. Nique Clifford’s relentless efforts throughout the week placed him as the best player, solidifying arguments for his significance within the conference. Although Donovan Dent was the Conference Player of the Year, Clifford's brilliance during the tournament shone even brighter.
Tyson Degenhart of the Broncos may not have secured the championship, but he left his legacy by becoming the all-time leading scorer at Boise State and being celebrated as one of their finest players. Degenhart, touted as three-time All Mountain West performer, also demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament.
While Colorado State emerged victorious, the shooting performance across the conference remained under scrutiny. Outside of their stellar play, many teams wavered due to poor shooting percentages, attributed to both defensive efforts and missed scoring opportunities. This fact highlighted the need for adjustments as they transitioned to the NCAA Tournament stage.
Officiated games sparked discussions surrounding calls made during the tournament. Fans and commentators took to social media to share their thoughts on the refereeing quality, noting instances where calls overshadowed player performances. Nevertheless, none of the controversial calls directly impacted the outcomes, allowing for excitement about the games instead of frustrations with officiants.
Overall, Colorado State emerges from the conference tournament not just as winners of the Mountain West Championship, but as contenders for the wider NCAA tournament. The Rams have demonstrated fierce determination and adaptability through their trials, making them a team to watch as March Madness continues. With Selection Sunday set to begin at 4 p.m. MT on March 16, 2025, anticipation and hopes are high among players and fans alike.
