The Rams start five seniors, run the seventh-most efficient offense in college basketball and are the top rebounding team in the country.
That sounds like a nightmare for any team, let alone the No. 9 seed Missouri Tigers, who'll meet the No. 8 Rams in Lexington.
Colorado State finished second in the Mountain West Conference to New Mexico, ahead of another potential sleeper pick, UNLV.
Led by 6'10'' Colton Iverson (who was an animal on the glass in the Rams' semifinals loss to UNLV in the Mountain West tournament), Colorado State averages 40.4 rebounds per game and boasts the second-best offensive rebounding percentage in the country at nearly 42 percent. Aside from Iverson, the Rams aren't particularly big, aren't adept at shooting from long range, but they pound you inside and have a knack for getting the caroms.
Due to their lack of height, coach Larry Eustachy had ingrained a relentless attitude on second-chance opportunities. In short, forwards Greg Smith and Pierce Hornung are tenacious on the glass. Neither is above 6'6'', yet both are nationally ranked in terms of their offensive rebounding rate, collecting a combined 14 rebounds per game. For a more in-depth look at the Rams, check out B/R's sleeper series featuring Colorado State.
Assist man Dorian Green turned his ankle in the regular-season finale against Nevada, missed the Rams' game against Fresno State and then played hurt against UNLV. He re-aggravated the injury but said after the game that he didn't do any further damage. Green leads the Rams with 3.8 assists per game and is second to Iverson with 12.8 points.
A third-round matchup against the No. 1 overall seed obviously isn't enticing, but one silver lining is that the Rams don't turn the ball over often, which typically plays right into Louisville's transition style. Colorado State's experience could help them in that regard.
The Rams went to the tournament as an 11 seed last year and ran into a hot Murray State team. Their conference has them conditioned for the rigors of the NCAA tournament, and their experience has them confident. Louisville will have its hands full, assuming both teams advance.
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