CSU routs shorthanded New Mexico
Thistlewood, Roddy dominate in Rams’ easy win
FOR T COLLINS –– The Colorado State men’s basketball team never trailed on Wednesday upon virtually burying the discombobulated New Mexico Lobos from the jump, which shouldn’t occur as a surprise.
Essentially waving the white towel before even hitting the hardwood, UNM sent only six scholarship players and four walk-ons to Moby Arena for CSU’S 2020-21 home finale.
Amounting to a depleted rotation, three of UNM’S five-leading scorers in Bayron Matos, Valdir Manuel and Rod Brown opted out of the festivities.
Additionally, though electing to coach the rest of the season, four th-year coach Paul Weir recently announced his resignation.
It seemed the lowly Lobos were begging for a blowout, and that’s exactly what they received as the Rams coasted to an 87-73 victor y.
“The game had a weird feel to it with ever ything,” Medved said. “We found out just prior to tip that they were without some of these guys, so it kind of changes ever ything you prepped and practiced for. We were kind of thrown a little bit of a wrench there before the game as far as what was gonna happen. But I thought our guys handled that well. We found a way to get the job done.”
After the originally scheduled clash between the Mountain West foes suffered a postponement just minutes before tip, the green and gold took full advantage of an opportunity to pummel the basement-dwelling visitors.
Despite allowing an 8-0 UNM scoring run about midway through the first half –– which briefly tied the score at 20 apiece –– it was all Rams from there as the hosts eventually led 47-31 when entering the locker room
for halftime.
“The biggest thing was they started getting a lot of transition points that we needed to eliminate,” junior Adam Thistlewood said. “Of fense, I thought we were getting good looks the whole half. And then once we started getting into a little rhythm there, it all kind of came together.”
Headlined by a monstrous display from Thistlewood, Medved’s squad conver ted 72.4% of its field goals during the opening 20 minutes while basically putting the contest on ice.
The junior for ward dropped 17 points over the initial fragment before producing similar production thereafter. In total, the
Golden native concluded the action with a careermost 27 tallies of f 11-of-13 shooting (5-of-7 from deep).
Once Thistlewood got going, all UNM could do was watch as the sharpshooter habitually stroked nylon from all areas of the court.
“I thought Adam Thistlewood’s game here the last three games has been phenomenal,” Medved said. “And it’s not just the shooting. It’s his floor game. Just his presence. Ever ything that he’s doing out there, he’s playing with so much purpose on both ends, and it’s been really fun to watch.”
Aside from Thistlewood, sophomore for ward David Roddy constructed a memorable showing of his own. Taking his capabilities as a facilitator to new heights, the big-man dished out a career-most nine assists.
Roddy also scored 12 points and corralled 14 rebounds while falling just shy of the first collegiate triple-double in Colorado State history.
“It didn’t happen,” Roddy said. “But it is what it is, it’s just basketball. It’s all good. And it was a good win for all of us. Now we have to focus on Reno.”
“We were all super excited for him,” Thistlewood added. “It’s an incredible accomplishment to even get that close, just statstuf fing left and right. It’s amazing.”
The Rams enjoyed a feelgood victor y in which each contributor chipped in as CSU dictated the tempo from start to finish. Overall, all 10 players who entered the game for Medved’s troupe scored at least two points –– even walk-on Nick Bassett.