By Men’s basketball
Who: Colorado State (5-1)
When: Thursday, at 6 p.m. PT
Where: Moby Arena, Fort Collins, Colorado
Johnny Romero | Daily 49er
Senior guard Nick Faust drops his shoulder against San Diego State’s Dakarai Allen in LBSU’s 76-72 loss to the Aztecs on Tuesday, Dec. 1 inside the Walter Pyramid.
Need to know: The Rams lead the all-time series against Long Beach State, 2-1. However, the two teams haven’t met on the court for nearly 50 years. The last time the two played each other, the Rams came away with a 93-84 victory at home on Dec. 10, 1965.
Colorado State made it to the NCAA Tournament last season, but was eliminated in the first round by South Dakota State. The Rams have made it to the tourney twice under head coach Larry Eustachy’s four-year tenure.
Five players on the Rams are averaging more than 10 points per game. Senior guard Gian Clavell leads all scorers with 21.5 ppg, and he is fresh off of dropping 35 points in the Rams 99-90 loss to University of Texas El Paso on Saturday, Nov. 28.
Who: New Mexico State (5-2)
When: Saturday, at 4 p.m.
Where: Walter Pyramid
Need to know: The Aggies are a familiar rival, even though they haven’t met the 49ers on the court in seven years. LBSU narrowly leads the all-time series 21-18. The 49ers won the last meeting, 82-77, on Nov. 30, 2008 inside the Walter Pyramid.
The Aggies have won four straight Western Athletic Conference Tournament championships. They made it into last year’s NCAA Tournament, but got eliminated in the first round by Kansas.
Sophomore forward Pascal Siakam leads New Mexico State in scoring and rebounding with 26.4 points and 13.4 rebounds per game. His scoring rate is good for second in the nation behind Howard’s James Daniel (28.7 ppg).
Who: UCLA (4-3)
When: Sunday, at 6 p.m.
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles
Need to know: Long Beach State and UCLA will matchup on Sunday for the third time in the last five years. However, it will be just the 15th time the two teams meet; UCLA leads the all-time series 13-1. LBSU’s lone win came on Nov. 29, 2009, a 79-68 victory at the Anaheim Convention Center as part of the 76 Classic. The 49ers have never hosted the Bruins since they began playing each other in 1970.
LBSU will need to contain UCLA’s starting five, consisting of Bryce Alford, Tony Parker, Aaron Holiday, Thomas Welsh and Isaac Hamilton; all of whom are averaging over 11 points per game through seven games.
The Bruins have a tough game at home against Kentucky on Thursday before they can focus in on LBSU.
Women’s basketball
Who: Colorado (3-3)
When: Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.
Where: Walter Pyramid
Ben Hammerton | Daily 49er
Junior guard Raven Benson (20) drives to the basket in LBSU’s 89-71 win over Portland State on Nov. 15 inside the Walter Pyramid.
Need to know: The 49ers and Buffaloes have only met five times dating back to 1981. LBSU leads the all-time series 3-2. Both teams faced each other for the first time in 20 years last season; the 49ers picked up a 62-56 win at the Coors Events Center on Dec. 30, 2014.
Senior forward Jamee Swan leads the Buffs with 14 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Freshman guard Kennedy Leonard is breaking out as the floor general at Colorado. She leads the team with 5.7 assists per game and ranks second with 13.6 ppg.
The Buffaloes have made 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, but hey haven’t secured an invite since 2013. Colorado joined the Pac-12 Conference for the 2011-12 season. They were previously members of the Big 12.
