INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 12-18; 3-11 in MWC (Tied 7th) Postseason: None. Last NCAA appearance was in 1990. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Greene 16.2 Rebs: Greene 7.5 Assists: Birley 3.9 FG: Nelson 61.3% 3pt: Birley 42.3% FT: Birley 80.6% 01-02 Stats: Colorado State | MWC KEY LOSSES Matt Brown | 4.2 ppg Joe Macklin | 4.0 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Andy Birley | Senior G | Jon Rakiecki | Soph F | Brian Greene | Senior F | Matt Williams| Soph C | Matt Nelson | Soph Player to Watch Brian Greene Senior Forward Rams need him to return sooner, rather than later, from broken hand. DATE TO REMEMBER Dec. 30 On the road at Purdue, it will be a game the Boilermakers are confident they will win, and one the Rams can definitely steal.

 

COLORADO STATE RAMS

This is one of those times when you return five starters from a 12-18 team (one that went 3-11 in conference) and feel good about your prospects. Third-year coach Dale Layer could have never predicted the amount of injuries that hit his team last season (the Rams lost 18 games played due to sprains and strains), which never allowed CSU a fighting chance. But whispers around the league are that CSU is about to make a major push forward in the next few years. One of the league's most underrated players is senior forward Brian Greene, who has scored double figures in 26 straight games. Greene went down early in fall practice with a broken left hand. He is joined by senior guard Andy Birley (116 assists last season) and one of the conference's top young players in sophomore center Matt Nelson (14.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 41 blocks as a freshman). It's an offense that spreads the floor and finds shooters, one that made 37 percent on 3s a year ago. Layer, who has already opened several eyes with his impressive spring recruiting, also welcomes junior-college point guard Darien Chavis (5-11, 160).

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
The 6-8 Greene didn't make any preseason all-conference lists, but he probably should have. He went for double-doubles five times last season and led the team in scoring (16.2), rebounding (7.5) and steals (1.7). In conference games, he ranked second among league players in scoring, fourth in rebounding, fifth in steals and eighth in assists. The early injury this year no doubt put a major scare into CSU's coaching staff and fans. For the Rams to make any noise, Greene must be healthy.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
Chavis has three years eligibility remaining and his brother, Will, started at the point for Texas Tech last season. Chavis' ability to run the team would open up more looks for Birley, who shot 42.3 percent on 3s as a junior. CSU will make shots. That's a given. But if the Rams are going to surprise front-runners like Wyoming and UNLV, they need strong decision makers in the backcourt. Birley has proven he's one. Chavis still must do so.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
If BYU is the league's most dangerous team, there is no question CSU can be its most improved. The Rams nearly took out Utah in a first-round conference tournament game last March, and the experience gained from trying to overcome the injuries will make them that much tougher. CSU is picked sixth. It could finish as high as fourth and make the NIT.