Transfers, freshmen expected to boost Rams' offense

Ram Facts

Coach: Ritchie McKay

Coach's record at CSU: 19-11 (1 year)

Coach's overall record: 43-40 (3 years)

Returning starters: 3

Player to watch: Ceedric Goodwyn (14.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

Player they'll miss: Milt Palacio (18.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Key newcomer: Andy Birley

Marquee game: At Michigan, Jan. 2

Media poll projection: 5th

When talk of the Colorado State men's basketball team comes up, one recurring question is posed: How is the team going to replace Milt Palacio and Andre McKantstry?

The two players accounted for a bulk of the Rams' offense with Palacio leading the team with 18.4 points a game and McKanstry third with 13.5 points a game, but senior Ceedric Goodwyn has one answer.

"My goal is to win a conference championship, for everybody to work hard," Goodwyn said. "As players, we kind of feel like we're overlooked because we did lose Milt and Andre, but we gained a lot too.

"We have a freshman, Andy Birley, who can shoot it and a few other talented players."

To be exact, the Rams added four freshman and two transfer students to the roster.

Still, all eyes will be on Goodwyn.

The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 14 points a game and 4.4 rebounds last season.

With Palacio and McKanstry gone, head coach Ritchie McKay hopes Goodwyn will lead the team.

"Ceedric is the most talented offensive player I've ever been around," McKay said. "He's extremely gifted and our challenge is for Ceedric to step up."

Goodwyn is excited about his new role.

"I've never been really asked to do it," he said. "I want to win. It's no fun losing."

If Goodwyn follows McKay's lead, the rest could be quite easy.

In his first season as the Rams' head coach, McKay guided a team with only one returning starter to wins over Mississippi State and Colorado to reach the quarterfinals of the NIT in postseason play before losing to California.

The strong finish from last year can only help the team's confidence.

"It's been a while since Colorado State has had success in the post-season," McKay said. "To beat Mississippi State with a chance to beat Cal to go to Madison Square Garden for the finals left a taste in our mouth we were capable of it if we maximized our opportunities."

When newcomer Ron Grady, a transfer from Oregon State, becomes eligible, the Rams will receive another lift. Grady and returning starter John Sivesind will be given the green light to shoot from outside.

With non-conference opponents Michigan, Arizona State and a potential game against UCLA in the Pearl Harbor Classic on the schedule, the team will have a challenge ahead of it.

But McKay is considered a talented coach whose team might sneak up on a few opponents if they take the Rams too lightly.

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