There was more than just madness in Northern Colorado last March when the Northern Colorado Bears made it into the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, proving this region does love their college basketball. Unfortunately though, after losing key players and quite a few games so far this season, it doesn't look like UNC will return to the dance. Look just to the north though, and you'll find a Colorado State team that look like they may bring some excitement to the area this year.

The Rams have started the year off exceptionally well with a 13-5 record, including wins over over both UNC and CU. CSU just had an eight game win streak snapped with a bad loss at Wyoming, but still moved up one spot to No. 21 in this week's NCAA Ratings Percentage Index, a computer formula the NCAA uses to help seed its 68-team postseason tournament.

The next three games will most likely tell the story for this years Ram team. It's a daunting stretch of games against the Mountain West Conference's top three teams, the kind of teams the Rams know they'll need to win a game or two against this season to achieve their goal of playing in the NCAA Tournament. CSU has New Mexico tonight at The Pit in Albuquerque, No. 13 San Diego State on Saturday and No. 12 UNLV on Feb. 1.

Although it may be too early too tell what the Rams chances are of making the tournament, it sure seems like the best team they have had since the 2003 season when they did make the tournament.

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