It’s a national title contender as the first opponent for Colorado State at the Maui Invitational.
The CSU men’s basketball team is in the 2026 Maui Invitational, the first time for the Rams to compete in the prestigious tournament.
CSU has been drawn against defending Big 12 champion and perennial power Arizona in the first round.
Arizona went 36-3 last season, winning the Big 12’s regular season and tournament. The Wildcats made the Final Four before falling to eventual champion Michigan.
CSU went 21-13 last season under first-year head coach Ali Farokhmanesh. The Rams return most production from that team that made the NIT.
The CSU-Arizona game is Nov. 23 and will be the final game of the day in the first round.
The other first-round matchups for the tournament were announced as well, with BYU facing Washington, Providence matching up with VCU and Clemson taking on Ole Miss.
Sports reporter Kevin Lytle can be found on social media on X, Instagram and Threads @Kevin_Lytle and on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado State to open Maui Invitational against Big 12 powerhouse
