On Thursday night, the highly regarded Nevada Wolf Pack were stunned by the Colorado State Rams in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) tournament. This surprising result has a big influence on both teams’ postseason prospects.
Colorado State wins
Jalen Lake scored 16 points, Isaiah Stevens added 15 and Colorado State beat No. 23 Nevada 85-78 on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference tournament. https://t.co/ilSuUVWIgE
— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) March 15, 2024
Coach Nico Medved of Colorado State stated, “I told the guys I’m not going to call any plays. We’re just going to go. I told Isaiah to not even look at me, just go. I think our motion offense was good.
Colorado State’s head coach, Nico Medved, had a clear message for his team: “We’re just going to go.” Medved’s unconventional coaching style emphasized motion offense and spontaneity. He encouraged Stevens to play freely, resulting in a well-executed game plan that kept the Wolf Pack on their toes.
Despite the loss, Nevada’s Jared Lucas (18 points) put up a valiant effort. The Wolf Pack had previously defeated Colorado State twice during the regular season, including a dramatic half-court shot by Lucas that secured a narrow victory. However, this time, the Rams were prepared and determined to give their best shot.
Colorado maintained a comfortable double-digit lead for most of the game. Although Nevada made a late surge, cutting the deficit to four points, the Rams held their ground. Nique Clifford’s confident play (14 points, nine rebounds) and Joe Palmer’s contributions (12 points) ensured that Colorado State stayed ahead when it mattered most
As the first half wound down, Nevada’s Daniel Foster and Tyler Roleson made crucial plays. Foster’s second-chance layup and Roleson’s three free throws narrowed the gap, but the Rams still led 43-33 at halftime. In the end, Colorado State’s carefree and confident approach sealed the deal, securing their spot in the semifinals
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