In Fort Collins on Wednesday

San Jose State University takes to the court Wednesday night against Colorado State, 23-5 and 10-5, in Fort Collins.

6-foot-8 J.J. Avila is the best talent on the team and a multi-level producer --  top scorer, rebounder and in assists -- so his possible absence due to back spasms would create a large hole.

The Rams have been to the foul line 155 more times than opponents and own a +6 per game rebounding ratio but again, those categories would lessen minus Avila.

The game report from January 17:

"Colorado State 70, San Jose State University 41

Colorado State didn't shoot all that well on Saturday night, try 40%, but still had no trouble with San Jose State University because the Spartans were accurate on just 21% of their attempts. The Rams were also granted 11 more free throw tries and easily won the boards battle at 46-27.

Isaac Thornton posted the best line for SJSU at 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

The Washington Square guys were down by 12 at the half but the game got out of hand afterwards."

The game preview:

"Coach Larry Eustachy's teams always present toughness, a physicality in all aspects of the game but especially on the boards and in the paint. So yes, the Rams this season are close to a +6 in rebounding and have attempted 120 more foul shots than opponents.

J.J. Avila at 6-foot-8/250 leads in scoring and boardwork with 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds a contest plus his 33 steals is also tops and his 56 assists are second. That's Renaissance Man basketball.

6-foot-8/225 Stanton Kidd comes in at 11.6 points and 5.0 boards respectively. 6-foot-5/210 Daniel Bejarano, the nominal starter at the point, owns 10.8 and 7.0 marks and has a 57/28 assist-to-turnover ratio. Another to watch is 6-foot guard John Gillon, possessor of a 57/21 assist-to-turnover mark. Remarkably, he plays just 20 minutes a game yet leads in free throws attempted and made.

CS jumped out to a 16-0 mark to open the season and is now 16-2 overall, 3-2 in the Mountain West Conference with losses at New Mexico (66-53) and at home to Wyoming (60-54).

The last Ram game was an anomaly --  at least the scoring margin -- a 98-42 homecourt romp over Nevada.

The other aspect to CS is it being Transfer U. Avila came from the Naval Academy. Kidd from North Carolina Central, Bejarano started out with Arizona and Gillon moved over from Arkansas Little Rock. In fact, just five of the 14 players dotting the Ram roster are Eustachy high school signees."