CSU projected as one of two MW teams in NCAA tournament

CSU was one of two Mountain West men’s basketball teams projected to make the NCAA tournament Monday by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi and USA Today, but the Rams fell further away from the top 25.

Colorado State University (20-4, 7-4 Mountain West) didn’t receive a single vote in the Associated Press top 25 poll and had just nine points in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll after receiving 37 points the previous week. CSU was 10th among other teams receiving votes in the coaches’ poll, 30 behind No. 25 SMU. San Diego State was the MW team to receive votes in the AP poll with two points. The Aztecs has 18 points in the coaches’ poll.

CSU lost 59-48 last Wednesday night at Wyoming, then returned home Saturday to beat UNLV 83-82.

CSU and San Diego State (18-6, 8-3 MW) were the only MW teams projected to make the 68-team NCAA tournament in new projections that came out Monday. CSU was a No. 10 seed in the East Region in Lunardi’s latest projection and a No. 9 seed in the West in the USA Today projection. San Diego State was a No. 9 seed in the West in Lunardi’s projection and a No. 9 seed in the South in the USA Today projection.

The Rams were the top MW team in the NCAA’s Ratings Percentage Index at No. 27. San Diego State was No. 30, and Boise State No. 40.

CSU faces New Mexico (14-9, 6-5) on Tuesday night at Moby Arena in a nationally televised game on ESPNU. The Rams travel to San Diego State for a 6 p.m. game Saturday that will be televised by CBS Sports Network.

Follow reporter Kelly Lyell at twitter.com/KellyLyell and facebook.com/KellyLyell.news