Avalanche Teammates Welcome Valeri Nichushkin Back “with Open Arms”

FORT COLLINS — After Niko Medved’s CSU Rams stormed the Buffs, CSU fans stormed the court. And why the heck not? The Rammies haven’t been ranked this early in a long, long time. And if Wednesday night at Moby Arena was any indication, they don’t plan on leaving the polls anytime soon. Behind 20 points from senior point guard Isaiah Stevens, CSU held off the rival CU Buffs at Moby Arena on Wednesday night, 88-83, to improve to 7-0 on the young season while continuing to add to what’s becoming an impressive NCAA Tournament resume. It was the Rams’ first victory over the big-brother Buffs on the men’s hardwood since December 2017, and just the program’s third over CU coach Tad Boyle’s Buffs at home since 2011. “That was probably one of the last things I had left on my bucket list,” said Stevens, who returned for his fifth season after helping to lead the Rams to the NCAA tourney two years ago.

There’s no longer any question the NBA is overdue in recognizing Nuggets guard Jamal Murray as an All-Star, and all the proof we needed was for him to sit on his fanny. With Murray nursing an injured hamstring for nearly a month, the defending champions limped along with a 6-5 record, looking more vulnerable than unstoppable. With Murray lacing up his blue sneakers Wednesday night for a triumphant return to action, the Nuggets again looked like the most unstoppable offensive force in basketball, rolling to a 134-124 victory against Houston. Consider it a lesson learned about the fragile nature of building a dynasty. No basketball player on the planet can do the Joker things that Denver center Nikola Jokic does. But the Nuggets are not the reigning league champs without Murray, who averaged 26.1 points and 7.1 assists in last season’s playoffs.

When the Nuggets’ starting lineup was introduced Wednesday night, the gravel-voiced public address announcer at Ball Arena screeched: “He’s back!” Taking his cue, guard Jamal Murray, who missed 11 games because of a strained left hamstring, pumped his fist into the air as the fans serenaded him with cheers. And while Murray was the main attraction in Denver’s 134-124 cruiser over Houston, it was Michael Porter Jr.

When Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson entered the league in 2012, his goal was to play until his 40s. Now at 35 and playing some of his best football since his Seattle days, Wilson is confident he can reach that goal through his drive and work ethic. “I still got a little speed,” Wilson said with a smile.

Marvin Mims Jr. had to adjust on the fly. Working across the field on a critical third down Sunday against Cleveland, he had a ball coming his way from Russell Wilson for an easy first down. The ball got tipped, though, and redirected against Mims’ momentum. He reached back, snared it and made sure the Broncos kept the chains moving with a 16-yard gain en route to a second-quarter touchdown. “It was pure reaction, just locked in on the ball,” Mims told The Post.

Sean Lewis’ brief time in Boulder is officially over. On Wednesday, the former Colorado offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach was introduced as the head coach at San Diego State. He replaces Brady Hoke, who retired at the end of the season. Lewis, 37, left his job as head coach at Kent State last December to take the coordinator job at CU, joining head coach Deion Sanders in Boulder. Related Articles Keeler: CU Buffs, Sean Lewis should’ve been perfect football marriage.