Going into the season the Rams had an experienced team led by a stalwart pair of big men who could match up with anybody in the Western Athletic Conference in the paint.  On the basketball court senior Bill Green is a superior talent who has been the leader of this team since he first stepped foot on this campus from Alabama three years ago.  A six foot six, 233 pound physical specimen, Green has been the primary low post option for the Rams since day one.  He is not quite as tall as some other post players especially in this league but that does not matter to this hard-working player.  Green has progressed every year in Fort Collins and has caught the eye of scouts at the pro level with his tough as nails game. Green had a solid third season averaging well over 15 a game with almost nine boards.  He earned All-WAC first team status and was named MVP of the team (deservedly so) at the awards banquet.  How important is he to the success of this team?  Well, he got a true sidekick down low last year so some of his responsibilities in the paint were shared but every player (and coach) looks up to this man-child.  He is the team captain and if this team does move up to challenge for a post season berth and perhaps even a league title, it will be on his broad shoulders. 

The most gifted player on the Ram team might well be senior big man Bob ‘Golden’ Rule.  Rule plays the post like it was his destiny to dominate down low and he was invaluable to Coach Williams and the Rams success. Rule probably got the biggest break of his life coming out of high school at Riverside as he was not eligible for D-1 due to his grades.  Jerry Tarkanian was developing a program at Riverside City College and brought in this ‘big tall kid’ and built his program around him.  Two years later RCC had won two California state JC titles (going 35-0) and Rule had developed his game by working on the fundamentals of foot work and developing the mentality you need to have to be a dominant big man. Rule worked on his shooting tirelessly and made the paint ‘his territory’ and D-1 schools were knocking down his door to get him to come and play for them after his stellar JC career.  Williams saw him and knew what it would mean to have a dominant big man to play next to Green and for some reason Rule bought his spiel hook, line and sinker.  The best thing about Rule is that he came to Fort Collins wanting to be a part of a team and not the star which he obviously was.  He acquiesced to his new brother in arms Green but quickly became the dominant force in the middle on both ends of the court.  This opened up the game for his teammates but Rule got his fair share of points and boards.  After a stellar first year where he averaged almost a double double, the expectations are high at Fort Collins. The national media had not caught on to this dominant duo who had a chance of upsetting the status quo of the WAC conference. The regional media got it as they picked the Rams to finish 3rd in the conference (behind the two Utah schools) but the national media were clueless per usual as they picked CSU to finish 6th.     Some were even saying that Golden could be a first round pick and were comparing his overall skills comparably to players such as Elvin Hayes and Spencer Haywood.  Pretty damn good company but Rule is that good!  There is no team in this league that can match the strength and skill of these two warriors in the paint.  There might be bigger 4-5’s in the WAC but there are one that are better. 

Sophomore Pat Durham is the third piece of this superb front line as he stepped right into his role as the not so small forward.  Durham lives by the same credo as Rule.  Come to play every night and give 100% and you never know how things will turn out.  At six foot seven 210 pounds Durham is the perfect size to play the three next to his more established teammates.  ‘Bull’ is not quite as talented as his front court teammates but gets by on guile and attitude.  A good shooter, Durham is not afraid to mix it up with the big boys. The first half of the year was playing a complementary role scoring off the constant double teams the two big guys seemed to always get on the blocks. Durham can slash and runs the court but this Dallas native likes to play in the paint. There is obviously not enough room with the two senior studs making the key their own personal territory.  Durham plays bigger than what he is but still has room to grow is the next three years in Fort Collins.   

The best athlete on the team is no doubt senior guard Lonnie Wright.  Wright moonlights as a football stud on the gridiron when he is not hitting jump shots.  This Newark NJ kid did play football in high school but came to CSU to play basketball though he did give a shot at track for a season as he was bored (and set a school record in the shot put).  A six foot two 205 physical specimen Wright can play this game pretty dang well too.  Wright brings athleticism and the ability to score and defend to the team on the wing.  He is a natural two guard but with the Rams playing many three guard sets it was his responsibility to guard some much bigger wings and he handled this well.  He obviously does not shy away from much and takes on challenges with gusto.  Wright played in almost every game for the Rams except for the one he was suspended for and was the most consistent and diverse player on the roster.  He averaged over 11 points, 3 boards, and 2 assists and was easily the best defensive player on the team.  He is going to try football again after he is done playing hoops here and he has the perfect demeanor for that sport. He is good enough to play basketball at the next level as well as there are not many guys who are as tough or as a well-rounded player as this stud. 

Sophomore Eddie Hughes came through with a solid season in the backcourt primarily playing the point guard position.  Hughes is cat quick and used his speed to his advantage.  Hughes should start this year after he took the WAC by storm in his freshman season with his sensational play on both ends of the court.  A little lackadaisical at times especially when he wasn’t playing, Hughes can match up with anybody in the conference at the point at least for quickness.  This Chicago native (he played high school ball with Mark Aguirre) Hughes brings the big city mentality and toughness to Fort Collins.  He can score going to the hoop and has great range which extends somewhere beyond Pikes Peak.  Hughes is also a solid passer though he seems more motivated to score.  Williams would like Hughes to become a better distributor with those hungry mouths to feed underneath but he needs his speed on the court.    

Seniors Floyd and Lloyd Kerr were the first guys off the bench after they lost the starting roles from the year before.  The Rams had others guys who produced off the pine though obviously nowhere near the Kerr’s level or minutes.  Cliff Shegogg is another Senior who has had some glorious days in Fort Collins. He was a productive player who was the key offensive player when this team got their biggest win in history a few years back versus the Buffs (the Kerr Twins were also a huge part of this).  He was the number two option behind Green for two years but last year slowly saw his minutes and productivity diminish as Williams brought in bigger, more talented players. A small forward who at six foot six can go inside and out, Shegogg goes into the year as one of the first guys off the bench primarily backing up Durham at the three.  Still, this gamer will be there when called upon. Still another senior Dale Schlueter brings something to the table that all teams need. Size! The Rams have an abundance of big men who are vying for playing time and Schlueter has been around the longest.  He is not expected to play much this year behind Green but will be ready when called upon. At six ten 225, this Denver kid is a good defender and a good passer and had a couple of nice games, enough to become a fan favorite for his work ethic and affable personality.  Fellow senior Mike Davis is also 6’10 but rail thin and has not played much.  This kid comes from down the road in Aurora and like his buddy Timmy seemingly gets killed every time the Rams are on TV.  But he does bounce back.  He did come on strong for a few games late when called upon.  Sophomore Rich Strong was another big body who got some minutes and performed well on the JV. He can score and board and is an extremely cerebral player who might be the best passer on the team.  He loves the high post which fits this team well this year but will have to spend more time on the block this year.  Strong does not necessarily fit his name but is big but getting off the JV might be difficult unless there are some real injuries up front.  The aforementioned Kerr Twins, Lloyd and Floyd, started last season getting some solid minutes but are more wings that guards and at six two were a bit overmatched.  They are terrific athletes and students of the game who succeed through hard work and diligence and will continue to succeed but in more limited roles.  Juniors Gary Rhoades, Barry Young and George Price are also in the mix on the perimeter after using up all of their JV eligibility their first two years.  These guys have some size (at least Rhodes and Young do) and can score and help on the boards.  Price is a combo guard who if he was a bit better passer might have a shot at the point which is the most competitive spot on the roster. He will not play much as a two and is trying to transition and played often at point last year on JV. 

The Colorado State Rams did not have the most talent in the WAC. They did however have a team that understood that playing the game right would get them places.  If Coach Jim Williams can fill out the roster next year with few more like he had in Rule and Green and maybe find a pass first point guard this team could compete with the elite in the WAC. Fort Collins is the home of Napoleon Dynamite, Mammy and John Taggart as it is a diverse community.  What this city needs though is a winner and if Bill Green and Bob Rule have anything to do with it they will shock the prognosticators and win the WAC.  This front line is good enough and Williams can coach.  But can they shoot the ball well enough and guard on the perimeter. If they do then the Rams will be there when they hand out post season bids in March.