Ram Up is what would happen if you put together a star-studded group of CSU Basketball players from the last decade.

Led by former Rams point guard Derrick Stevens — the team’s head coach and general manager — Ram Up is highlighted by former stars like: Nico Carvacho, Emmanuel Omogbo, Prentiss Nixon, Greg Smith, Colton Iverson and even Jason Smith, among others.

And Colorado State Rams fans have a chance to see some of their favorite former stars playing against one another on the Alumni Game, which takes place at Moby Arena on July 16 at 6 p.m. MT.

The Alumni Game, put on by Ram Up, is the celebration near the end of the team’s training camp before they head to Wichita, Kansas to play in The Basketball Tournament, or TBT. More on TBT in a minute.

But first, the Alumni Game features the Becky Hammon 3-point contest, a dunk contest and then a game in which Ram Up will be divided in half. They’ll also be joined by athletes from other CSU sports, but no word on exactly who, yet. Tickets can be purchased here and are only $10.

The full Ram Up squad is:

  • Jason Smith, C, 7’0″
  • Nico Carvacho, C, 6’11”
  • Colton Iverson, C, 6’11”
  • Andy Ogide, F, 6’9″
  • Emmanuel Omogbo, PF, 6’7″
  • Greg Smith, F, 6’7″
  • Kris Martin, G, 6’4″
  • Jeremiah Paige, G, 6’3″
  • Prentiss Nixon, G, 6’2″
  • Chandler Jacobs, G, 6’3″

Non-Alumni

  • Alex Holcombe, F, 6’9″
  • Dachon Burke Jr., G, 6’4″
  • Ibrahim Sylla, C, 6’8″
  • John Dawson, PG, 6’3″

The Basketball Tournament for $1 million

The Alumni Game is a great way for fans to see some of their former favorites from Colorado State men’s basketball, and it’s all part of Ram Up’s preparation for competition in TBT as they fight for $1 million.

The Basketball Tournament is a 64-team tourney where the winner takes home a $1M prize. The Rams went 0-1 last year in TBT but they’re hopeful to go further this time around thanks to all their star power.

“Last year, we played at The Pit in Albuquerque and this year we are playing in Wichita,” Stevens explained to Mile High Sports. “Leading up to the TBT, we are having training camp in Fort Collins from July 9-19 with the full team.”

Ram Up will be participating in 3-a-day practices to work on chemistry and conditioning in the lead-up to TBT.

And Stevens is confident his team can take the million-dollar prize.

“Honestly this year we have all the components to actually win the whole thing,” Stevens explained. “We have good guards who can defend, play-make and score, big wings, and lastly this year we have more size and strength under the rim. We just have to take advantage of camp and build chemistry. [The] good thing is most of our guys have played together in college.”

Smith and Iverson were part of that 2012-13 team who went to the NCAA Tournament and even won a game. Also, Martin, Paige and Cavacho were all teammates in 2018-19.

A look at recent champions:

Credit: The Basketball Tournament

This year’s TBT is the 10th annual. Another interesting wrinkle is the Elam Ending, in which the clock is turned off in the fourth quarter. Whichever team is ahead, the target score becomes eight more points and great battles ensue.