Earlier this week it was announced that Colorado State Rams men’s basketball will face off in the 2023 Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, MO.
In KC, the College Basketball Experience is connected to the T-Mobile Center where the Rams will tip off against three tough teams. And inside the CBE is the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame Classic takes place on Nov. 22 and 23, with the championship game coming on Thanksgiving Day. As the tourney bills it, “Hoops, Barbeque and Thanksgiving.”
Colorado State, who faced a transitional year in 2022-23 after David Roddy left for the NBA, finished last year 15-18, 6-12 in the Mountain West.
They’ll face Creighton, Loyola Chicago and Boston College in the Hall of Fame Classic; let’s look at their opponents ahead of next season.
Creighton
The Rams last faced Creighton in the 2021 Paradise Jam that took place in the Virgin Islands. Last year, the Bluejays went 23-14 and went to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. They were eventually stopped by the San Diego State Aztecs — who also beat the Rams in CSU’s final game in the MW Tournament — and also saw their first NCAA Tournament Championship Game. SDSU lost to UConn.
Without a doubt, Creighton is the best team in the tourney and they’ve made three straight Big Dances, with eight straight 20-win seasons. They’ll also be returning their top players who were juniors and sophomores.
Loyola Chicago
Loyola also has a history of winning but also went through a down season last year with a 10-21 record. Next year could be a transitional one for them, too, losing five seniors this offseason. They’ve made three NCAA Tourneys since 2018 including the 2018 Final Four and 2021 Elite Eight.
Boston College
BC went 16-17 last year, which was their best season in the last six. Colorado State hasn’t played against Boston College in basketball since 1986.
Colorado State
The Rams will be looking to improve this year, and that could come to fruition if Isaiah Stevens decides to return. Currently, the senior point guard is testing the NBA Draft waters and could return to the Rams if he’s not selected by a team.
Colorado State also lost John Tonje who went onto Missouri, but they will be looking forward to the continued growth of Jalen Lake. The sophomore guard put up career highs of 7.5 points and 2.6 rebounds per game last year and was a strong 3-point shooter at 37.7 percent.
Find tickets here: https://www.t-mobilecenter.com/events