FORT COLLINS —The name Smarty Jones doesn’t appear on the Colorado State basketball roster, but it is going to the NCAA Tournament with the Rams.
As coach Tim Miles put his team through a Tuesday morning practice before leaving for Louisville, Ky., to play Murray State in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, Miles was wearing a beige baseball hat. On a closer look, the name Smarty Jones was visible on the front of the hat.
“I’m wearing this to the tournament,” Miles said when asked if the hat was going to be part of his attire when the Rams arrived in Louisville later in the day.
His explanation made the whole thing understandable. The Kentucky Derby is in Louisville every May, and in 2004, Smarty Jones won in trainer John Servis’ first try at the Kentucky Derby. Miles is guiding the Rams in his first time in the NCAA Tournament as a head coach and it’s in the same city.
The hat trick was just a sidelight to a spirited send off rally Tuesday morning outside of Moby Arena on the CSU campus.
Team co-captain Pierce Hornung out of Arvada said the morning practice was normal and the team wasn’t experiencing any nervousness about what was ahead.
“We’re excited, but not nervous,” Hornung said. “We’ve played in pressure situations all season.”
Co-captain Dorian Green comes from Lawrence, Kan., home of the basketball power Kansas Jayhawks. “NCAA Tournament” is almost daily phrase utterred in Lawrence, but not in Fort Collins.
“It’s a much different t feeling when you’re part of it,” Green said. “I’m used to hearing about it, but this is a much better experience.”
Miles and the Rams (20-17) know they are facing a talent Murray State team that lost just one game this season.
“We won’t be picked to win by many people,” Miles said. “But that’s the way it’s been all year.”
Miles barely changed expressions when asked about the future. His focus is on the tournament.
“This is the time of year when coaches are either coming or going,” Miles said. “I’m thinking only about CSU. I love it here.”
After lunch, the players walked past their fans, a band and a pep club to buses for the airport and the flight to Kentucky. It might not be good etiquette to wear a hat to a dance, but Miles is wearing his.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
