CSU and VCU men's basketball will compete against each other in Henderson, Nevada.

Colorado State struggled to recover from a sluggish beginning against their rival, Colorado, ultimately losing 72-55. The Rams recorded a season-low shooting percentage of 31.3% in this defeat. Jalen Lake was the standout scorer of the game, contributing 18 points and extending his streak of successful 3-point shots to nine games with a 3-for-5 performance from beyond the arc. During his senior season, Lake has elevated his scoring average to 15.3 points per game and has achieved double-digit scoring in the last eight contests.  Nique Clifford made his return to Boulder after transferring from Colorado to Colorado State, marking his first game against his former team. He scored 10 points and led the team with eight rebounds. Clifford is currently averaging 17.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, making him a key player for Colorado State. He was named to the preseason All-Mountain West team following his recognition as a third-team honoree last season. 

Sophomore guard Kyan Evans has experienced a boost in his scoring over the past four games, averaging 8.0 points and reaching double figures in three of those outings, including an 11-point performance against Colorado. Freshman Kyle Jorgensen earned the Mountain West Freshman of the Week accolade after averaging 9.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in his initial two games. He notably scored seven consecutive points in overtime to secure a victory over TSU. Jorgensen has started three games, averaging 6.6 points and 2.8 rebounds.  This matchup marks the first encounter between Colorado State and VCU. The head coaches are acquainted, as Ryan Odom previously served as the head coach at Utah State from 2021 to 2023. Niko Medved, in his seventh year at the helm of Colorado State, holds a record of 122-79, ranking second in all-time wins for the program, trailing only Jim Williams, who coached from 1955 to 1980 and amassed 352 victories.

He became the fifth coach in the history of the program to achieve 100 victories in Fort Collins last year. Medved is distinguished as the only coach in the program's history to secure 20 or more wins on four separate occasions. He attained his 200th career victory in November during the Rams' overtime triumph over TCU. For the 2024-25 season, the Rams are set to integrate 10 new players into the program, comprising six transfers and four true freshmen. Isaiah Stevens, the program's all-time leading scorer and assists leader, has transitioned to professional basketball after completing his eligibility. He is currently playing for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the G League affiliate of the Miami Heat, with whom he contributed to winning the 2024 Summer League Championship. Currently, CSU has two players in the NBA or G League: David Roddy with the Atlanta Hawks and Isaiah Stevens with the Miami Heat/Siu Falls Skyforce. VCU has commenced the 2024-25 season strongly, boasting an 8-2 record. The Rams have permitted only one opponent to surpass 70 points this season, maintaining an average of 58.1 points allowed per game. Joe Bamisile and Max Shluga spearhead the Rams' offense, averaging 16.4 and 16.2 points per game, respectively, with Shluga also contributing 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. VCU's defense is ranked fifth nationally for efficiency, with a rating of 93.5 on KenPom, and they possess the most effective field goal defense, limiting opponents to a shooting percentage of 41.5%. Colorado State will return home for its final non-conference game of the year, hosting Radford on Tuesday, December 17, at 7 p.m.