College basketball fans in the Mountain West know that when Colorado State and New Mexico get together, you might as well throw the records out the window. It's just different. People look at the historical spreadsheets and see New Mexico leading the all-time series—which they do, at 84-53 since 1950—but that doesn't capture the actual vibe of this rivalry. It's about high-altitude lung-burning runs and two fanbases that genuinely don't like each other.
The most recent chapter on January 6, 2026, really drove that home. New Mexico walked into Moby Arena and snatched an 80-70 victory, proving that "The Pit" isn't the only place where these teams can get rowdy. If you were watching, you saw Jake Hall go absolutely nuclear for 18 points, leading a Lobo squad that seems to have found its rhythm under Eric Olen. Colorado State, despite a massive 20-point effort from Augustinas Kiudulas, just couldn't close the gap in the second half.
Why Colorado State Basketball vs New Mexico Lobos Men's Basketball Still Matters
It's tempting to think of this as just another mid-major clash. Honestly? That's a mistake. The Mountain West has become a multi-bid juggernaut, and these two programs are a huge reason why.
You've got a fascinating contrast in styles and situations right now. Colorado State is in a weird transition phase. Longtime coach Niko Medved, the guy who basically rebuilt the program and led them to a Mountain West tournament title in 2025, left for Minnesota in March 2025. Losing a coach like that—someone who produced NBA talent like David Roddy—leaves a massive hole. The Rams are currently sitting at 10-5 (1-3 in conference), struggling to find that same late-game magic they had a year ago.
On the other side, New Mexico is riding high. They’re 12-3 right now, and they look dangerous. Richard Pitino left for Xavier in early 2025 after a stellar run, but Eric Olen has stepped in and kept the engine humming. They play fast. They play mean. And they just broke a streak of road struggles by winning in Fort Collins for the second year in a row—something they hadn't done since 2018.
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The Tactical Chess Match
When you break down the colorado state basketball vs new mexico lobos men's basketball matchup, it usually comes down to pace versus precision. New Mexico loves to turn you over. In that January 6 game, the Lobos turned 11 CSU turnovers into 21 points. That’s the game right there. You can’t give a team that athletic 10 extra points off mistakes and expect to survive.
- New Mexico's Depth: They had eight players see floor time, and all eight scored at least six points. That is absurd balance.
- CSU’s Perimeter Struggles: The Rams shot just 28% from deep (7-for-25). In modern basketball, if you aren't hitting the long ball, you're toast.
- The Jake Hall Factor: The freshman is a problem. He shot 6-of-10 and didn't look rattled by the Moby Madness crowd at all.
The History Nobody Talks About
We always hear about the big games in Albuquerque, but the "Moby Record" is actually a point of pride for New Mexico. After this recent win, the Lobos have 27 wins in Fort Collins. That's more than any other opponent in CSU history. Think about that for a second. Even Wyoming, CSU’s biggest rival, hasn't been as successful in that building as the Lobos.
There's also the "Coach Carousel" subplot. In March 2025, the college basketball world witnessed a wild swap. Medved went to Minnesota, and Pitino went to Xavier. It felt like the Mountain West was being raided. But instead of collapsing, both programs went out and hired system-builders. Eric Olen brought almost his entire staff from UC San Diego to New Mexico. They didn't just hire a coach; they imported a culture.
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What to Watch Moving Forward
If you're betting on the rematch or looking at the Mountain West standings, keep an eye on the rebounding. In their last meeting, New Mexico edged out CSU 30-29. It's tiny, but it's indicative of how hard-fought these games are. Tomislav Buljan for the Lobos is a beast on the glass; he grabbed 11 rebounds in the last meeting and barely missed a double-double.
For the Rams to bounce back, they need more from Jase Butler and Brandon Rechsteiner. They combined for 27 points, but they need to be more efficient. The Rams have the talent to compete with anyone in the league, but they're currently 8th in the conference standings (2-4 MW). They need a win over a team like New Mexico to prove they aren't just "rebuilding" but actually "reloading."
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
- Watch the Turnovers: If New Mexico is forcing more than 12 turnovers, they almost never lose. Their transition offense is too fast.
- Home Court vs. Style: Don't automatically assume CSU wins at home. As we saw, New Mexico's length can neutralize the Moby Arena advantage.
- Freshman Watch: Jake Hall is the real deal. If he’s on the floor, the Lobos' ceiling goes up significantly.
- The "Medved Hangover": CSU is still learning a new system. Expect some inconsistency until late February when the rotations finally solidify.
Keep an eye on the February schedule for the rematch in Albuquerque. "The Pit" is going to be rocking, especially if the Lobos stay near the top of the conference standings. If CSU wants to save their season and push for an NIT or NCAA bubble spot, that game is essentially a "must-win."
To stay ahead of the curve on Mountain West hoops, you should track the NET rankings weekly starting in late January. Both of these teams are hovering in that Quad 1/Quad 2 territory, meaning every single bucket in their head-to-head matchups carries massive weight for Selection Sunday. Check the official Mountain West site for updated tip-off times and broadcast info, as these late-season games often get flexed to national TV.