Colorado State will do its part to raise the Mountain West’s strength of schedule when it plays Big 12 power Kansas on Dec. 11 at Kansas City’s Sprint Center.
“We’re trying to build a nonconference resume that gets our strength of schedule up there so that if we’re good enough, we can compete for an at-large berth in the NCAAs,” CSU coach Tim Miles said Thursday.
A team’s strength of schedule is used to determine its RPI formula for postseason rankings.
The MWC placed four teams in the NCAA Tournament this year, its most ever, in part because of strong schedules by its marquee teams.
While the neutral site won’t really be neutral for Kansas, CSU sophomore guard Dorian Green should attract his own cheering section. Green played for Lawrence (Kan.) High School and turned down a walk-on invitation from the Jayhawks.
CSU features a roster with an emphasis on talent from the Midwest. Guard Jesse Carr (coming off a hip injury), Iowa State transfer guard Wes Eikmeier and sophomore forward Greg Smith have Nebraska connections.
“There’s no question it’s an important recruiting area for us,” Miles said.
Kansas annually plays one game in the Sprint Center. Miles said the contract is a one-game deal.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
