When Isaiah "Zay Mode" Stevens enters a gym, the atmosphere shifts. It isn't just the presence of an NBA veteran; it is the intentional infusion of a standard. During recent alumni week at Colorado State, Stevens—alongside a roster of former Rams including Nique Clifford, Jalen Lake, Joel Scott, Josiah Strong, and J.D. Paige—didn't just participate in five-on-five drills; they conducted a masterclass in cultural preservation.
For head coach Ali Farokhmanesh, this isn't merely nostalgia. As the program prepares for its inaugural season in the Pac-12, the Rams are weaponizing their most significant asset: a deep-seated sense of continuity that is rare in the modern transfer-heavy era of college basketball.
The Continuity Advantage in a New Era
Last season, Farokhmanesh guided the Rams to a 21-13 record and a National Invitation Tournament appearance. While that mark was impressive, the focus for the 2026-27 campaign is upward mobility. The move to the Pac-12 demands a higher level of tactical execution, and Farokhmanesh believes the team is already operating with a veteran rhythm that minimizes the typical growing pains of a new conference entry.
"(We’ll) just hit the ground running in a different way than we have in the past," Farokhmanesh noted, emphasizing that the current roster feels more like the high-continuity teams of years past. "It feels a little bit more like the years before when you have so much continuity."
That continuity is manifesting in the team's offensive efficiency. Junior guard Jase Butler observed that the offense already appears more advanced than last year, largely because the returning core can effectively mentor the new arrivals. "All the older guys are helping the younger guys kind of pick things up, the transfers, so it’s been a lot more (of a) seamless transition," Butler said.
The 'Stone-by-Stone' Mentality
The transition to a premier conference is rarely a vertical climb; it is a grind. Junior forward Kyle Jorgensen, a three-year veteran of the program, has embraced this reality. After a season of growth, Jorgensen is approaching this preseason with a focus on the granular details of leadership and physical preparation.
"I think this year (my mindset) was just all aspects of it. I think it was leadership, I think it was hitting the gym, I think it was treatment. I wanted to amp up everything. I just realized it wasn’t going to be overnight, you know? It’s a day-by-day, stone-by-stone kind of thing," Jorgensen said.
This disciplined approach is vital as the Rams prepare to navigate a non-conference schedule that is anything but a warmup. The program has signaled a willingness to test itself immediately, with a slate that includes competing against up to seven NCAA Tournament-caliber teams. This high-stakes environment is designed to shake off any rust before the Pac-12 grind begins.
Iron Sharpens Iron: The Alumni Bridge
Perhaps the most unique aspect of the Rams' preseason is the active bridge between their past success and their future potential. The return of alumni isn't just for the fans; it is a strategic pedagogical tool. Farokhmanesh is deliberately using these visits to instill a sense of ownership in the current roster, specifically targeting the next generation of leaders.
A primary example is the pairing of freshman point guard Pops Dunson with the high-intensity Stevens. The goal is to expose the incoming talent to the level of professionalism and competitive fire required to reach the next tier. "Show them why the (alumni) come back and what this place means to them and hopefully that gives these (current) guys some more ownership of what this place is eventually going to mean to them," Farokhmanesh explained.
The results of this cultural immersion are already being felt on the court. Stevens noted that the current roster displays an increased level of skill and athleticism, responding favorably to the "Zay Mode" style of pressure and accountability. As Clifford and Stevens both articulated, the program has evolved into a collective "we," a mindset that suggests the Rams are not just playing for a season, but for a lasting standard.
Navigating the Coaching Evolution
As the team prepares for its first official games—including an exhibition against San Diego on October 25—Farokhmanesh himself is undergoing a visible evolution. Players have noted a coach finding his equilibrium between vocal intensity and measured leadership. Jorgensen described a coach who is learning the delicate balance of when to drive the team and when to allow the veterans to take the reins. This maturity in coaching, paired with a seasoned roster, provides the Rams with a stable foundation as they enter the most significant conference shift in recent program history.
Evidence-Led Forecast: Pac-12 Transition Dynamics
Likely Tactical Pattern: Expect a heavy reliance on structured half-court sets that leverage the high basketball IQ of returning juniors like Butler and Jorgensen. The Rams will likely attempt to control the tempo to mitigate the athleticism advantages often held by top-tier Pac-12 opponents.
Decisive Matchup: The integration speed of the new transfers into the established offensive continuity. If the newcomers can execute the "seamless transition" Butler described during high-pressure non-conference games, the Rams will avoid the early-season identity crises that often plague transitioning programs.
Strongest Counter-Case: The sheer volume of elite competition. Facing seven NCAA Tournament-level teams in the non-conference window may place an undue physical burden on the core rotation before the conference schedule even begins, potentially leading to late-season fatigue.
The Pivot Point: The Maui Invitational. Performance in this tournament will serve as the definitive barometer for whether the Rams' "stone-by-stone" offseason work has translated into the ability to compete with national heavyweights.
Sources
These sources formed the evidence pack for this article. Links open the original publisher; inclusion does not imply endorsement.
- nevadasportsnet.com original
- collegian.com original
- coloradoan.com original
- csurams.com original
