Larry Ness
Air Force at Colorado State
Prediction: Air Force
Air Force was an NCAA team in 2004 and 2006 and in 2007, won 26 games (was an NIT Final 4 team) on its way to a 26-win season. Those winning seasons are distant memories, as Air Force heads into this game against Colorado St at 9-20 overall, including an 0-16 mark in the MWC. Colorado St knows what the Air Force program is going through, as just last year, the Rams finished 0-16 in the MWC. The Rams lost the 7-0 Creason (12.2-5.7) off that team and while they've played slightly better this year, not by much (9-21 overall, 4-12 in the MWC). Senior guards Walker (17.0) and Gardner (9.6) are a solid duo, joined by freshman Carr (8.6). The Rams haven't been able to replace Creason but 6-8 Ole Miss transfer Ogide (10.0-5.8) has been their best inside player. Joining him in the frontcourt are the 6-6 McFarland (7.9-3.9) and 6-7 JUCO Franklin (6.8-3.8). Guard Simmons (4.4) has left the team, 6-10 Purdue transfer Vandervieren (6.3-3.9) has back problems plus freshman guard Carr is struggling with a groin injury. The Falcons' best player is 6-6 guard Henke (12.8-4.1). Johnson (11.3-3.8) is a solid 6-5 small forward and the 6-6 Holland (10.8-3.7) is the team's third double digit scorer. Let's not count Air Force out in this game. DePaul, which went 0-18 in the Big East regular season this year, beat a pretty decent Cincinnati team on Tuesday in the Big East's first round, 67-57. CSU went 0-16 in last year's MWC regular season and then beat Wyoming 68-63 in this very same game (MWC's first round). Is it deja vu all over again? I say yes. I'm playing the "patriotic card" in this game and I'm taking the Flyboys.