PUEBLO, Colo. - After a statement-making opening weekend on the road, Colorado State University Pueblo men's basketball returns home for the first time under new head coach Zach Ruebesam, hosting Kansas Christian College on Friday at 7 p.m. and North American University on Saturday at 7 p.m. inside Massari Arena. The two-game weekend marks the official home debut of the Ruebesam era and an early opportunity for the Pack to build on a fast 2–0 start.
CSU Pueblo opened the 2025–26 season with two strong wins over Lone Star Conference opponents, defeating Cameron 82–74 and Midwestern State 72–60 — a pair of significant regional results that immediately strengthen the Pack's footing in the South Central landscape. The ThunderWolves controlled both games with the identity Ruebesam has emphasized since his arrival: defend with toughness, rebound with urgency, and let the offense flow from stops.
Through two games, CSU Pueblo is holding opponents to just 32.4 percent shooting and 21.8 percent from three while posting a +18 rebounding margin. The Pack's defensive commitment has helped fuel an offense that has shown balance, ball movement, and early-season confidence.
Sophomore wing Jordan Blair has been one of the league's breakout performers through the opening weekend, averaging 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while providing downhill pressure and defensive versatility. Junior guard Jaden Kennis, the lone returning starter, has matched him at 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc and playing with the competitive edge that Ruebesam has leaned on.
Around them, CSU Pueblo has benefited from strong guard play across the rotation. Mac Terry enters the home opener with 15 assists in two games, orchestrating the Pack's point-guard-by-committee approach. Freshman Bryce Riehl and junior Dylan Sanders have already stretched defenses with timely three-point shooting, and senior Sam Howery continues to provide leadership and steadiness. In the frontcourt, Ty Adam, Kaleb Mitchell, and Kyren Allen have anchored the interior, helping the Pack dominate the boards and control the paint.
CSU Pueblo's cultural shift has been equally noticeable. Ruebesam has emphasized energy, accountability, and connection — all reflected in the team's early-season motto, #COMPETE, which has driven everything from defensive urgency to bench engagement.
Kansas Christian, at 3–5, arrives in Pueblo with a guard-driven offense that features two high-volume scorers capable of challenging the Pack's perimeter discipline. Senior wing Damon Werts leads the Falcons at 24.0 points per game on 50 percent shooting and 41 percent from three, while junior guard James Lewis adds 17.1 points and knocks down more than three triples per game. Freshman point guard Amourie Dunn contributes 11.9 points and attacks the free-throw line consistently, and senior big man Darion Williams provides efficient production inside. The Falcons will lean heavily on their backcourt scoring to keep pace with the Pack's defensive intensity.
North American University, which comes to Pueblo at 2–0, presents a different challenge Saturday. The Stallions have been dominant to start their season, winning their first two contests by an average of 21.5 points while holding opponents to just 52.5 points per game. North American's physicality and rebounding presence stand out immediately, as they average 47.0 rebounds per game and hold a +13 rebounding margin. Offensively, they are led by Naheim Northern at 15.0 points per game on 55 percent shooting and Jamarric Hammond at 14.0 points and nearly seven rebounds per game. Forward Joseph Cormier has been one of the league's best rebounders at 9.5 boards per contest while contributing 11.0 points, and guard Oakley Lewis adds 7.0 points and efficient interior scoring. North American also defends the three-point line well and forces turnovers at a high rate, averaging 13.0 steals per game.
Together, the two matchups give CSU Pueblo a chance to continue sharpening its identity before diving deeper into nonconference play. Kansas Christian's perimeter firepower will test the Pack's guard play, while North American's rebounding, length, and defensive pressure will challenge CSU Pueblo physically.
More importantly, the weekend represents a milestone for Ruebesam, his staff, and the program — the first opportunity for the Pueblo community to see, feel, and embrace the new direction of Pack Basketball. After months of preseason building and two regional road wins, CSU Pueblo returns to Massari Arena energized, connected, and ready to compete.
With a 2–0 start and back-to-back home games ahead, the ThunderWolves look to continue building momentum, live out their #COMPETE identity, and keep laying the foundation for the Ruebesam era.
