The Colorado State Rams men’s basketball team is set to face a significant challenge as they take on the No. 23 Creighton Bluejays in an exhibition game. This matchup, occurring on October 25, marks the first official test for new head coach Ali Farokhmanesh.
Game Details: Colorado State vs. No. 23 Creighton
The exhibition game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Mountain Time (6 p.m. Central Time) at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.
Coaching Backgrounds
- Ali Farokhmanesh: First season as head coach of Colorado State, previously an assistant since 2018.
- Greg McDermott: Seasoned head coach for Creighton, entering his 16th year with a career record of 350-171.
Recent Performance
Creighton, coming off a victory against No. 16/18 Iowa State with a score of 71-58 in their recent exhibition, is recognized for its strong track record. Farokhmanesh expressed excitement about facing a top-tier program, stating, “It’s high time for CSU to face someone new.”
Historical Context
The historical record between the two teams stands at 3-3, with Colorado State winning the last two encounters. Their most recent victory occurred in 2023, where the Rams triumphed 69-48 in Kansas City. However, it is essential to note that this exhibition game will not count toward NCAA records.
Venue and Attendance Details
The CHI Health Center has a capacity of 17,560. In their previous exhibition match against Iowa State on October 17, Creighton recorded an attendance of 15,571 fans, showcasing a strong home-court environment.
Preseason Rankings
- Creighton: Ranked No. 23 in both AP and coaches polls, placed No. 41 in KenPom’s preseason rankings.
- Colorado State: Ranked No. 79 in KenPom’s preseason evaluation.
Upcoming Season Information
This exhibition serves as a precursor to the official 2025-26 season debut for Colorado State, who will open against Incarnate Word on November 3 at 7 p.m. at Moby Arena. Creighton will kick off its season on November 5 at home against South Dakota.
This game provides both teams an opportunity to gauge their level of preparedness ahead of the regular season. For Ali Farokhmanesh, it’s an moment of validation and anticipation for what lies ahead.
