Bold predictions for Colorado State’s men’s basketball season

by Junna Base November 9, 2024

Forgive me, I’m a little late.

There was a lot going on in the crossover season, fall sports at Colorado State peaked and basketball began.

So a basketball game was played, but I still think it’s time to share my bold predictions for the 2024-25 CSU men’s basketball season.

Belatedly, but without further ado, here are my predictions:

Nique Clifford: Colorado State’s first triple-double

Quiz question: How many triple-doubles have been recorded in CSU men’s basketball history? Answer: zero.

Could Nique Clifford be the first? He’ll be a double-double machine (he had 20 points and 14 rebounds in CSU’s opener), but can he get the third number?

David Roddy never did. Isaiah Stevens couldn’t. Both became close at times. Not her, but Clifford? His career high in assists is seven. It’s a big jump from seven to ten.

I will say it will happen. There will be a game where the offense flies in transition and Clifford gets some early assists that way. Late in the game, the Rams will push for it.

He has the unique skills and a balanced team to make everything come together.

Bowen Born will lead CSU in 3-point shooting

In my opinion, there are three candidates with the most 3-pointers for CSU: Clifford, Jalen Lake and Bowen Born.

The Rams didn’t shoot well from deep in the opening game, but they’re getting better. Clifford will have his ball in his hands for most of the group, but Born will look good.

The Northern Iowa transfer has surpassed 200 career 3-pointers. He will achieve his share.

Jaylen Crocker-Johnson’s rating

Clifford will lead CSU in scoring. Second? I’m going with Little Rock transfer Jaylen Crocker-Johnson.

The big man can score inside and out and will be a problem for many teams. As long as he can stay on the floor consistently (he had foul trouble on Monday), his average will reach double figures.

Keshawn Williams makes SportsCenter’s top 10

A fun debate could be: Who has the better jumper on the team, Clifford or Keshawn Williams? The former Northern Illinois guard has essentially missed two straight seasons with knee injuries, but he looked completely healthy in his debut with the Rams on Monday.

Clifford will have the most dunks on the team and some will be electric. He will be in the highlights. But Williams is a little smaller, which makes a big dunk always look a little cooler.

He had a great alley-oop Monday. We bet he gets a trampoline launching dunk that gets him on SportsCenter.

Colorado State’s record will be…

I like the potential of this team. When it all comes together, I think these Rams can be pretty good. There are more question marks than last year because I was pretty sure a team would make the NCAA Tournament.

I think this CSU team will go undefeated in non-conference home games. I think they will finish above their projected seventh place finish in the Mountain West.

I went through the schedule and tried to make sensible choices for each game without being overly optimistic or pessimistic.

I posted a record of 21-10 in the regular season.

What that would do to the resume depends on what the wins and losses are, but it would likely result in the Rams getting into the MW Tournament, where they’re locked into the NCAA Tournament bubble, but left out to begin postseason play.

Keep following sports reporter Kevin Lytle X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.

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