It's Februray 1. Both of these teams have 19 wins. The Rams in 22 games. The nuggets in 48.

As a CSU grad and former practice player/student coach for the Rams, I have followed their team for awhile. This season has been a joy to watch. The team competes and plays hard every single night. They are less talented than many of the teams they play, but Coach Eustachy seems to get them to show up every game. They aren't perfect. Free throw shooting is horrible and they have blown a few late game leads. All in all, you know you will get a team who plays with hunger, goes after every loose ball, and plays defense. They never loose for lack of effort.

The Nuggets are the exact opposite of the Rams. No effort, defensive lapses, offensive offense. Can anyone really say they give their best effort every night?!? If you do, you are delusional. These guys are paid men who don't seem to care to do their job with excellence. Since the owners and front office aren't on the court every night, it has to start with the head coach. After the Memohis loss, he said something to the effect of it being frustrating when men don't give their best. I'm sure it is, but he is paid to produce results with the roster he has. Basketball isn't a difficult game when effort and energy are there. Shaw has shown that he doesn't get it.

Shaw and Eustachy. The Nuggets and Rams. Two coaches for my two favorite teams taking their programs in the opposite direction.