Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Set for Challenging Non-Conference Schedule
8/31/2026 2:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Colorado to face up to seven NCAA Tournament teams in non-conference slate
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Ali Farokhmanesh isn't afraid to challenge his team, and that's exactly what he will do with the 2026-27 non-conference schedule he has put together. The Rams will face up to seven NCAA Tournament teams during their non-conference slate.
"Our goal when building this schedule was to challenge our team with quality opponents that will help us build an NCAA Tournament resume. Playing at least five, with the potential of up to seven NCAA Tournament programs from last year, definitely meets that goal," Farokhmanesh said. "We have to prepare ourselves for the challenge that is going to be the Pac-12. This schedule gives us great national exposure, including playing in the Maui Invitational."
Highlights on the 2026-27 non-conference schedule include the trip to Maui for the Maui Invitational (Nov. 23-25), taking on Big Ten foe Wisconsin (Dec. 30) and traditional rivals Colorado (Dec. 5) in Boulder and Wyoming (Dec. 11) in Fort Collins.
CSU faces off against Arizona in the opening round of the Maui Invitational and follows up with a game against either Providence or VCU and finishes against BYU, Clemson, Ole Miss or Washington. Arizona, VCU, BYU and Clemson all competed in the NCAA Tournament last season.
The Rams host three NCAA Tournament teams from the 2025-26 season in Idaho (Nov. 6), North Dakota State (Nov. 18) and Queens (Dec. 8).
CSU hits the road two other times in the non-conference, playing in the Texas Legends Classic, taking on Florida Atlantic (Dec. 18) and Florida Atlantic (Dec. 20). Colorado State then heads to Madison, Wisconsin to take on the Badgers (Dec. 30).
Colorado State's non-conference schedule will feature at least seven teams that won 20 games last season and up to nine.
The program's inaugural Pac-12 schedule will be released at a later date. The conference slate will feature a true 16-game round robin format against Boise State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State and Washington State. will face at least seven teams that won 20 games last season and up to nine.
The Rams are coming off a 21-13 season and qualifying for the NIT. Farokhmanesh became just the third first-year coach in program history to win 20-plus games. The team returns six of its top eight scorers from last season.
Season tickets for the 2026-27 season are available now by visiting CSURams.com/MBBTickets or by calling the CSU ticket office at 970-491-7267.
