DENVER – When Christian Wilson-Poole joined the MSU Denver men's basketball program over the summer, he started comparing himself with the Roadrunners' other guards.
 
And he began reconsidering his expectations.
 
"Coming in as a transfer, with guys established – we had really good guards on our team already – it's been a matter of finding my role and trying not to do too much," he said. "I'm just playing to help us win.
 
"At first when I got here, I thought I might not be able to play. Honestly. I thought I might not play as much as I thought I would."
 
Wilson-Poole needn't have worried.
 
He came off the bench to get eight points and four steals in his MSU Denver debut on Nov. 9 against Tarleton State (Texas) and has been in the starting lineup ever since.
 
As MSU Denver (5-3 overall, 1-1 league play) heads into a tough Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference road trip to 5-3 and 1-1 Colorado Mesa (Friday, 7:30 p.m.) and 3-5 and 0-2 Western Colorado (Saturday, 7 p.m.), Wilson-Poole is averaging 5.9 points per game while ranking sixth on the team in minutes at 20.9 per game.
 
"He's done a great job so far," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Michael Bahl said. "He's just a really nice, respectful kid. He's highly-competitive. He comes from a winning program and that's what we're looking for in a kid. We needed someone who could come in and help us right away, and he fit the mold of someone who expects to win."
 
Despite Wilson-Poole's early misgivings, Bahl was confident that the transfer from Snead State (Ala.) Community College would be an impact player.
 
"We definitely thought he would be in the mix," Bahl said. "We never promise anything to anyone we recruit, but we told him we definitely saw a need for him because of the intangibles he brings. He leads us in charges taken (six), and he does all the little things it takes to win. If he continues to do those things, he'll be on the floor."
 
Wilson-Poole was still unsigned last spring when he stood out at a showcase for other junior college players in similar situations. Besides MSU Denver, Wilson-Poole got an offer from NCAA Division I Norfolk State while also drawing attention from several other Division I programs in the Southeast.
 
"When I came out here, I fell in love," Wilson-Poole said. "I like the coaching staff and I really like the players. It was a better environment. Norfolk was a little too similar to home for me and I needed to get away from that."
 
 
Wilson-Poole said the MSU Denver's late-summer trip to Costa Rica, following several weeks of practice to prepare for it, was critical for him to be able to find his role early on.
 
"Getting adjusted to the offense and the style of play was really the big thing," he said. "Ball-screen stuff, all of that isn't really at the junior college level. That's more pickup, more AAU, more one-on-one – even though I was on a team-oriented team.
 
"A four-year program is different. Things are really set in stone as far as how the game is played. It was good that we went to Costa Rica, because that month and a half really helped me. Now I'm getting into my rhythm."
 
With his athleticism, Wilson-Poole is a great fit with an MSU Denver team that prides itself on its defense.
 
"He's pretty good now (defensively), and I think there's another gear to go," Bahl said. "When you come from another program, the defense isn't quite the same. But with his athletic ability and quickness, we think he could be an elite defender."
 
Wilson-Poole would like nothing better.
 
"Maris (Colton) and I both want to be RMAC Defensive Player of the Year," said Wilson-Poole, referring to his teammate and another incoming transfer. "That's our goal. I'm shooting for that, shooting for most steals in the RMAC. My defense turns into offense, so that's what I'm looking to do."
 
Defense will be critical this weekend in a difficult road trip.
 
"It's a true road trip," Bahl said. "And we had struggles last year playing on the road. We're hoping to be better this year, and we're definitely looking forward to it."
 
Said Wilson-Poole: "This is huge weekend for us. One game at a time, so this next game is the biggest one of the year for us. Road games are where conference championships are won. This team lost some games last year on the road after having leads, and I think we've got the guys to win those kinds of games this year. We've got the maturity and the focus."