Colorado State’s men’s basketball program is gearing up for a landmark season that will see the Rams compete in the Pac‑12 for the first time in program history. The conference realignment has reshaped the schedule, but the team will still rely heavily on nonconference games to fine‑tune its roster before the league battle begins.
About half of the 2026‑27 slate is earmarked for games outside the Pac‑12, giving the Rams a chance to test themselves against a diverse set of opponents and to build momentum heading into conference play.
Maui Invitational returns to the islands
The Rams will travel to Maui for the Maui Invitational, scheduled for November 23‑25, 2026. The tournament will feature a field that includes Arizona, BYU, Clemson, Ole Miss, Providence, VCU and Washington, promising a rigorous test of depth and strategy.
In addition, Colorado State is slated to participate in The Dallas Tournament in Frisco, Texas, from December 18‑21. The event’s lineup is expected to feature Florida Atlantic, George Washington, Loyola‑Chicago, Nevada, San Francisco, Tulsa and Utah State, with the Rams placed in a pod alongside Nevada, San Francisco and Tulsa.
Because Utah State shares the same conference, the Rams will not meet the Aggies in Dallas, a detail that underscores the logistical considerations of the new schedule.
A home‑and‑home series with Loyola‑Chicago will see the Ramblers visit Moby Arena, a venue where Colorado State posted an 80‑67 victory in the 2025‑26 season. The matchup adds a narrative thread to a rivalry that has grown over recent years.
The nonconference slate will also include a road test at rival Colorado in Boulder, slated for early December, and a potential showdown with Wyoming whose exact date and venue have yet to be announced.
With the full schedule still pending announcement, the Rams’ coaching staff says the upcoming months will provide valuable insight into the team’s chemistry and readiness for the Pac‑12 grind.