FORT COLLINS. – Colorado State women’s basketball commences Mountain West competition away from home as they head to Utah State on Dec. 29 at 2 p.m.
WEEKLY OUTLOOK Colorado State (9-4, 0-0 MW) versus Utah State (1-11, 0-0 MW) Dee Glen Smith Spectrum // Logan, Utah
Sunday, Dec. 29 // 2:00 PM
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats:
StatBroadcast Colorado State Women’s Basketball Media Hub RAM INSIGHT - Last Week Recap: A series of three matches capped off the last week of non-conference action for Colorado State, kicking off with a commanding 70-52 victory against UTEP, where the Rams surged to a 23-5 lead after the first quarter. CSU then made their way to the San Diego Classic, beginning their participation with a win against Georgia – marking the first SEC victory for the program since 1998 – before succumbing to a formidable Stephen F. Austin squad ranked 55th in the latest NET standings.
- Securing Possession: The Rams excel in several areas, yet a key to their achievement is actually something they avoid doing: turning the ball over. For the last two seasons, the Rams have maintained a national lead in the fewest turnovers per game, averaging just 9.1 turnovers for the 2023-24 season. Even with a roster overhaul, that characteristic has been inherited by this year’s team as the Rams are surrendering an average of merely 8.8 turnovers over 10 games, once again leading the nation. The Green and Gold stand as one of only two teams in Division I averaging below 10 turnovers per game, while no other team in the MW is recording fewer than 12.
- Dominance Week: Recognized as the Mountain West Co-Preseason Player of the Year, Emma Ronsiek affirmed her status as one of the premier players in the conference this past week by becoming the first player this season to earn the league’s player of the week award for a second occasion. The forward showcased her versatility, averaging 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.7 steals across three games, while shooting 48.7% from the field, 40.0% from beyond the arc, and 90.0% from the free-throw line. Ronsiek’s standout performance of the week transpired during Colorado State’s victory over Georgia, where she recorded a game-high 24 points, shooting 9-for-13 (69.2%), along with eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
- Defensive Threshold: Colorado State has established itself as a formidable defensive team within the Mountain West, restricting opponents to an average of just 34.9% shooting from the floor (first in MW) and limiting teams to 58.2 points per game (third in the MW). The Rams have targeted 60 points defensively, claiming eight of their nine victories this season when holding rival teams beneath that figure.
- Positive NET: Colorado State enters conference play with a NET ranking of 93, joining two other Mountain West teams within the top 100: UNLV (51), San Diego State (88).
- Unique Talent: Emma Ronsiek has emerged as one of the most versatile players in the Mountain West this season, impacting the game across various dimensions. She is currently the sole player in the conference averaging a minimum of 15.0 points (17.5), 5.5 rebounds (5.5), and 3.0 assists (3.4), leading Colorado State in each of these metrics. On a national scale, Ronsiek is the only player maintaining the lead for her team (including ties) in rebounds, assists, free throws made, 3-point field goals made, and 2-point field goals made.
- Sibling Success: Sisters Emma and Hannah Ronsiek have indeed met the expectations set for their reunion, serving as the Rams’ leading scorers and rebounders this season. Emma averages 17.5 points alongside 5.5 rebounds per game while also leading the squad in assists (3.4), while Hannah contributes 9.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, leading the Rams in steals (1.4).
SCOUTING OUTLOOK
- The Utah State Aggies: The season has not unfolded ideally for the Aggies, who concluded their non-conference stretch with a 1-11 record. Nevertheless, the Aggies demonstrate exceptional balance with four players averaging over nine points each. The Rams will aim to impose pressure on the Aggies, who lead the conference in turnovers per game, averaging 20.4.