Big-time rivalry battle set as CU Buffs visit No. 20 CSU Rams – JS

Luke O’Brien has at all times seen either side of the rivalry.

Each of O’Brien’s dad and mom, in addition to his sister, went to Colorado State. Then again his uncle was a Ralphie handler in the course of the Colorado soccer program’s early Nineteen Nineties heyday, and O’Brien himself, after all, has bled black and gold for 82 video games over three-plus seasons in Boulder.

It’s backgrounds like that, along with the myriad storylines and stakes at play, that may make the 131st version of the Colorado-Colorado State males’s basketball rivalry a particular one Wednesday evening at Moby Area in Fort Collins.

“It is a very private sport, not due to the fellows on the group, nevertheless it’s a state satisfaction factor,” O’Brien stated. “Being from Colorado, rising up, it’s at all times been CU-CSU. I went to a number of soccer video games. Not a lot basketball CU-CSU, however I went to a number of soccer video games. I understand how loopy it will get, so I’m simply excited. I do know there’s a lot satisfaction that goes into this, and I’m telling the fellows proper now that these guys are taking it simply as severe and I do know they’re going to be prepared, particularly after final yr. I do know Moby goes to be rocking.”

Each groups have put collectively lights-out begins at dwelling, however it’s the Rams who’ve the stronger early resume in any other case. Whereas the Buffs managed only a cut up of their two video games on the Sunshine Slam final week, dropping out of this week’s Related Press prime 25, the Rams pulled off the Thanksgiving Day shocker in school basketball with a 21-point win towards then-No. 8 Creighton.

That win vaulted the Rams to No. 20 on this week’s prime 25, and for the primary time within the historical past of the rivalry CSU would be the ranked group at tipoff.

Though CU defeated the Rams handily at dwelling final yr, none of CU’s present gamers have been on the roster when the Buffs final visited CSU on Dec. 13, 2019. For CU gamers like O’Brien and fellow Colorado native Julian Hammond III, getting their teammates in control on the depth of the rivalry has been a part of the sport prep.

“They an incredible group. They beat No. 8 Creighton by 20 on a impartial ground,” Hammond stated. “We’re simply excited to get this chance. In-state rivalry. We wish to be the perfect group within the state, and we wish to go on the market and show that to everyone.”

Whereas the Buffs will get their first take a look at former teammate Nique Clifford, who has loved a fantastic begin with the Rams after transferring to CSU, Wednesday’s matchup will function a showdown of premier level guards between CU’s KJ Simpson and CSU’s Isaiah Stevens.

Stevens, who began towards the Buffs throughout CU’s final journey to Fort Collins in 2019, is averaging 17.5 factors and seven.8 assists and was sensible within the win towards Creighton, posting 20 factors, seven assists and 6 rebounds. Simpson bounced again from an off-night in final week’s loss towards Florida State to document 15 factors, six rebounds and 5 assists in Sunday’s dwelling win towards Iona.