Colorado State was one of 14 teams named to the 16-team Preseason NIT men’s basketball field this fall. Dates and pairings have not been announced.
CSU hasn’t gone to the Preseason NIT since the 1991-92 season, when the Rams won one round. The coming season’s team, led by first-team All- Mountain West junior center Jason Smith, is shaping up as the best Rams team in several years.
The biggest task facing the Rams in the early going will be blending junior college newcomers Tyler Smith at shooting guard and Alton Robinson at small forward with a veteran team.
Other NIT teams, according to the Knoxville (Tenn.) News, include Tennessee, North Carolina, Gonzaga, Notre Dame, Indiana, Marquette, Winthrop, Butler, Rice, Iona, Sacred Heart, Baylor and Fordham. CSU won’t make an official announcement until the dates are set.
– Natalie Meisler
CU men’s tennis qualifies
The University of Colorado men’s tennis team (19-8) qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998 and will face Arizona (12-9) on May 13 in Los Angeles.
Host UCLA will face Stony Brook in the other half of the region. CU, ranked 23rd nationally, was eliminated by Texas 4-0 in the semifinals of the Big 12 Championships on Saturday and finished third. This is the final season for CU men’s tennis.
Mines’ Vallee to NCAAs
Mark Vallee of Colorado Mines shot a 1-over-par 72 to finish tied for first at the NCAA Division II Northwest Regional at The Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix on Wednesday, qualifying him for the D-II national championship May 16-19, at Glade Springs Resort in West Virginia. Vallee’s 2-over 215 tied him with Corey Grace of St. Cloud State.
St. Cloud State won the team title and an NCAA bid with a 26-over 878. Regis’ third-round 311 total was 21 shots higher than its second-round score, and it finished at 907 in third place. Fort Lewis finished sixth at 910.
DU alpine coach resigns
After three seasons with the University of Denver alpine ski team, one as head coach, Lasse Paulsen resigned.
Director of athletics Peg Bradley-Doppes said that Paulsen will “pursue other opportunities in the ski industry.”
