FORT COLLINS, Colorada - The Wednesday (Nov. 23) matchup between The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (0-4) and Colorado State (2-1) may be the first in the history of the two programs, but there is an underlying them to the Thanksgiving eve matchup.

During Hawks head coach Bobby Collins' time as the associate head coach at Hampton University, it was Rams coach Larry Eustachy who coached the Iowa State Cyclones team the Pirates upset in the 2000-01 NCAA Tournament.

It may not take a monumental effort like that for The Shore to pull off a win at Colorado State, but they'll need to play well.

The Rams are coming off an 18-6 record a season ago when they declined and play in a competitive Mountain West Conference. They did love four of their five starters from a season ago, but boast three players averaging double digits in scoring. Junior forward Che Bob (6-foot-6, 220 pounds) leads the Rams with 12.3 points per game and pulling town 8.3 rebounds per game.

Senior forward Emmanuel Omogbo (6-8, 210) is the force in the paint for Colorado State also averaging 12.3 points and a team high 11 rebounds per game. Prentiss Nixon, a 6-2 sophomore guard, chips in 10.3 points per game and leads the team with four made 3 pointers.

The squad also averages 43 rebounds per contest, while at 32 rebounds per contest the Hawks have been struggling on the boards to begin the season.

Eastern Shore senior Bakari Copeland (Decatur, Georgia) still leads the team with 13.5 points per game, but will be looking to rebounds from a six-point performance at Wichita State. After scoring a career-high 27 points at Wichita, junior guard Ryan Andino (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is second on the team at 13 points per game.

Junior college transfer Logan McIntosh (Atlanta, Georgia) is now third on the team in scoring at 11.3 points per game and leads the team in assists with 17 despite coming off the bench.

The Colorado State campus stands is at more than 5,000 feet above sea level, so conditioning could be an issue for the Hawks. But the Rams have just nine players active for the game.

Games can be heard locally on Fox Sports Radio 960 AM WTGM or on www.EasternShoreHawks.com. Will DeBoer will have the call Wednesday at 2 p.m. eastern on the Hawks Sports Radio Network.

Season tickets for the 2016-2017 season are on sale now starting at just $125, for all men's and women's home games. Did you know that a purchasing a season ticket helps all sports at Maryland Eastern Shore, not just basketball? To purchase season tickets, click here. For more information about the 1ticKet Drive, log on to the web at easternshorehawks.com or call 410-651-6499. It's time to show your #HawkPride!