Colorado State Rams men's basketball will participate in the inaugural Texas Legends Classic on December 18 and 20, 2026, facing Nevada and Florida Atlantic in Frisco, Texas. Head coach Ali Farokhmanesh emphasized that this event will enhance the team's NCAA Tournament prospects and prepare them for their first Pac-12 schedule. The Rams, who recently finished a successful 21-13 season, are gearing up with a competitive non-conference schedule to strengthen their tournament credentials. Their non-conference slate also includes the Maui Invitational and a matchup against Loyola Chicago.

By the Numbers
  • CSU previously played Florida Atlantic in 2002, winning 81-56.
  • Nevada leads the overall series against CSU 20-16, with the Rams winning 6 of the last 10 matchups.
State of Play
  • CSU's challenging non-conference lineup includes the Maui Invitational featuring teams like Arizona and BYU.
  • Coach Farokhmanesh is entering his second year, building on a promising season where he won 21 games.
What's Next

As the season approaches, Colorado State will finalize its non-conference schedule while leveraging these early matchups to enhance their NCAA Tournament resume ahead of the Pac-12 competition.

Bottom Line

The inaugural Texas Legends Classic represents a strategic opportunity for CSU to boost their NCAA Tournament chances while preparing for a more competitive schedule in the Pac-12.