Rams searching for bright spot

A season of turmoil appears to be winding to its end as the Colorado State Rams’ only chance at a postseason invitation hinges on a Mountain West Tournament championship victory this week in Las Vegas. Here is a closer look at what lies ahead for CSU and the rest of the field:

No. 10 Colorado State (11-20, 4-14) vs. No. 7 Utah State (15-16, 8-10)

2:30 p.m. Wednesday; Radio: 102.9 FM, 1340 AM THREE STORY LINES

1. Finding motivation: It’s likely most CSU players are uncertain about their future after Larry Eustachy’s resignation and the search for a new coach begins. Whether that impacts players’ mentalities in postseason competition will be discovered Wednesday.

2. Job audition: CSU interim coach Jase Herl is 1-4 since taking over on Feb. 10, but it’s his relationships with players that might give him the best chance to remain on staff next season, possibly as an assistant if not the head coach. Beating Utah State in the first round would certainly help that effort. The winner advances to play 7 p.m. Thursday against No. 2 Boise State (23-7, 13-5).

3. Dynamic duo: Utah State sophomore guards Sam Merrill and Koby McEwen are the top-scoring backcourt in the Mountain West with a combined 34.3 points per game in conference play. But when CSU traveled to Utah State in January, the Rams prevailed 84-75.