PUEBLO, Colo. (October 15, 2026) – Colorado State University Pueblo men's basketball will receive national television exposure this winter as the ThunderWolves' exhibition game against NCAA Division I Colorado State University on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027, will be televised nationally on USA Network.
The game, which will be played at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, Colo., is scheduled to tip off at 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time.
The nationally televised contest will provide the ThunderWolves with a unique opportunity to showcase their program on a national stage while competing against an NCAA Division I opponent from the Pac-12 Conference.
CSU Pueblo, which competes at the NCAA Division II level as a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), is led by second-year head coach Zach Ruebesam. The exhibition will give Ruebesam's squad an opportunity to test itself against Division I competition during the heart of its 2026-27 basketball season.
The ThunderWolves are coming off a successful 2025-26 campaign that saw the Pack finish with a 22-8 overall record and advance to the semifinals of the RMAC Tournament. CSU Pueblo earned an 82-70 victory over Colorado School of Mines in the quarterfinal round of the conference tournament before seeing its season come to an end against Colorado Mesa (57-56) in the semifinals.
The 22-win season provided momentum for Ruebesam and the ThunderWolves heading into the 2026-27 campaign as the Pack looks to continue building upon its recent success in one of the nation's most competitive NCAA Division II basketball conferences. Ruebesam's second team returns two starters and seven lettermen from last season's squad.
In addition to providing a challenging opponent for the ThunderWolves, the match-up with the Rams will offer valuable national exposure for CSU Pueblo Athletics, its student-athletes and the University. The opportunity to appear on USA Network will allow ThunderWolves fans and alumni throughout the country to watch the Pack compete against its fellow Colorado State University System institution.
Colorado State, which begins its first season as a member of the Pac-12 Conference in 2026-27, is coming off a 21-13 campaign that included a postseason appearance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The Rams, who are coached by Ali Farokhmanesh, return six of their top eight scorers from last season as they prepare for their inaugural season in the Pac-12.
The Rams announced their 2026-27 television schedule on Wednesday, Oct. 14, with the CSU Pueblo exhibition included among 23 games scheduled for television coverage during the upcoming season.
The match-up will bring together two institutions within the Colorado State University System for a rare men's basketball meeting on the national stage. The last time the two schools faced each other on the hardwood was on December 17, 2023, a game the Rams won 86-54.
The ThunderWolves open their 2026-27 home schedule on Friday, Nov. 13, against Midwestern State before hosting Cameron on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Massari Arena.
Season tickets for CSU Pueblo men's and women's basketball are currently on sale, with reserved season tickets priced at $149 and court-side season tickets available for $169. Individual game tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students ages 7-17, while CSU Pueblo students and staff receive free admission with a valid University ID.
Fans can purchase season tickets online at CSU Pueblo Athletics Tickets, by visiting the Massari Arena ticket office, or by calling (719) 549-2050.
Additional information regarding the Jan. 2 exhibition game, including ticket availability, will be announced as it becomes available.
