The last time Colorado State played Memphis in a men’s college basketball game, it was not a pretty site in March 2021.

Four seasons later, the Rams can avenge that 90-67 NIT semifinal setback to the Tigers in 2021 as the two teams meet in the first round of the NCAA Championships on Friday in Seattle.  The game will be on TBS with a noon tipoff for fans watching in the Mountain Time Zone.

“Memphis is a five-seed for a reason,” said CSU coach Niko Medved. “They’re well-coached. But I believe in what we do, and I believe we can beat anybody.”

CSU will make its 13th trip to the NCAA Tournament and its third appearance under Medved’s leadership. The Rams earned the Mountain West Conference automatic bid by defeating Boise State 69-56 in the league’s post-season finale on Saturday in Las Vegas.

“What this team has done this year and the level of play they’ve maintained down the stretch, I think they have a lot of confidence,” Medved added. “They’re also smart enough to realize that the teams we’re playing in this tournament are here for a reason.”  READ MORE

With the Rams on a 10-game winning streak to improve their record to 25-9, Memphis (29-5) has won eight straight contests, highlighted by an 84-72 win over UAB on Sunday to capture the American Athletic Conference title.

The 2017 game on March 27 at Frisco, Texas, was the only meeting between the Rams and Tigers.  READ MORE