GAME NOTES: After breaking even last season, the Colorado State Rams are hoping for better returns in 2014-15 as they tip off the campaign by hosting the Montana Grizzlies at Moby Arena.

The Rams, who played just two games away from home before the calendar turned to 2014 last season, managed to finish with a record of 14-6 in Fort Collins, but in true road games the team was a mere 2-9. In terms of Mountain West Conference play, Colorado State fell four games below .500 at 7-11 and played only one game in the conference tournament in Las Vegas, losing to Utah State in a 73-69 final.

As for the Grizzlies, members of the Big Sky Conference, they went from a 25-7 mark in 2012-13 to posting only 17 victories in 30 opportunities a season ago. After a rough start (1-4), the squad was able to get on track and celebrate more than sulk. However, a five-game win streak late ended with a 67-47 loss to Northern Arizona in the regular-season finale, and just five days later the season was over with a 70-63 setback versus Portland State in the conference tournament.

The Rams are ahead in the all-time series by a count of 20-14 heading into this contest.

After finishing in a tie for second place in the Big Sky standings last season with a record of 12-8, the Grizzlies are expected to take more than a few steps back when they hit the hardwood this season. New head coach Travis DeCuire will have to re-sculpt a program that has lost almost half the roster from a season ago, including three starters, of which two were double-digit scorers.

The only remaining double-digit performer is Jordan Gregory (13.8 ppg), a senior guard who was an all-conference honorable mention pick each of the past two seasons. On a team that is used to winning in the neighborhood of 20 games per season, something that did not happen in 2013-14 when the Grizz were just 17-13 overall, the squad will need to get much more production out of forward Mike Weisner who was responsible for 8.1 ppg as he shot 50.6 percent from the floor.

Even though he is just a sophomore, it is expected that Mario Dunn will take over as the starting point guard for coach DeCuire, after starting 16 games as a freshman and averaging 6.3 ppg. Showing quick hands, Dunn was responsible for 41 assists and 27 steals in limited action, numbers that should increase dramatically given his new responsibilities.

With 23 years of head coaching experience, Larry Eustachy has been through all of the highs and lows that come with being caught up in the machine that is college sports. Eustachy has three starters back this season, but lost a solid all-around talent in Jon Octeus (13.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.7 apg). Senior guard J.J. Avila, who played his first two collegiate seasons at Navy, started all 32 games last season and emerged as the top overall scorer (16.6 ppg) in addition to placing second on the glass (7.4 rpg) while being named to the All-MWC Third Team.

Joining Avila as an all-conference pick was Daniel Bejarano, a transfer himself from Arizona, who was responsible for another 16.3 ppg and a team-high 8.3 rpg. However, for someone so familiar with the paint, it was somewhat surprising to see that Bejarano shot just 36.4 percent from the floor. With nine newcomers to the program, a junior like Joe De Ciman (8.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg) will certainly have his responsibilities expanded.

While they may not be considered a real threat within their own conference, the Rams still have enough talent returning from last season to get them by Montana in the opener.