Travis Franklin Is Still Colorado State's MVP

Free throws are harder than they look.

No, not necessarily a difficult shot, but from a mental standpoint, they can be the most difficult shot in basketball.

This was apparent in Colorado State's 80-72 loss to UNLV on Wednesday night. The Rams struggled from the free-throw line, where they shot only 57 percent (16 of 28). The most painful part was forward Travis Franklin's shooting from the charity stripe—he went three for 14 including an air ball on the front end of a one-and-one.

It hurts.

While it would be really easy to point fingers and say the Rams' loss was all Franklin's fault, it's not true. Just look at the other numbers.

Colorado State was well below its average on offensive rebounds, shot below 40 percent from the field, and while their turnover count was low (11), a costly, unforced back court violation might have also been the biggest difference in the end.

And how about UNLV? The Runnin' Rebels, who aren't known for their three-point shooting ability, shot 41 percent from behind the arc, 54 percent from the field, and sophomore Chace Stanback scored a career-high 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting.

Travis Franklin did not lose this game for CSU. If anything, Franklin is the reason, along with Dorian Green's three-point shooting, the Rams were able to stay in it for so long. Did everyone forget Franklin was the team's second leading scorer on the night with 17 points to go along with nine rebounds and five assists?

Franklin is a stud, and his performance on Wednesday moved him up to the team's second-leading scorer on the year.

In my opinion, T-Frank has been this team's MVP thus far. With so many expectations placed on Andy Ogide, Franklin is the one who has really shined in some of the biggest games.

Now, I know I am supposed to stand by as the objective journalist, but the fan side of me was a little frustrated last night after the loss.

I waited a day to reevaluate the game, and nothing in me can point my finger at Franklin for being the only reason the Rams lost. Was his free-throw shooting one of the reasons? Sure, but not the only one.

I will say Colorado State gave this one away, but it was a team effort.

Get off of Franklin's back. He's still this team's MVP.