The CCU Men's Basketball team is riding into the RMAC opening weekend on a four game winning streak as they have had weekend sweeps over the past few weeks. The Cougars will take a 4-2 record into the weekend with hopes of having a stellar start to open up conference play.
 
Get to Know New Mexico Highlands:     New Mexico Highlands will be traveling to Lakewood, CO to play CCU at the CCU Event Center on Friday December 2^nd. They are coming into the game with a 2-4 record after losing their last two games.  
The Cowboys have a talented offensive squad as they are led by Dante Moses who averages 16.2 PPG. Jalen Munn and Jonathan Ileleji also are offensive weapons for NMHU as Munn averages 9.7 PPG and Ileleji averages 9.4 PPG. The Cougars have an opportunity to take control on the boards in the game against Highlands as Highlands is not as strong on the glass compared to the Cougars. On the season, New Mexico Highlands averages just over 33 RPG, compared to 36 from CCU. CCU has defeated NMHU in their last two matchups, and will be looking to make it three straight after Friday night.
 
Get to Know CSU Pueblo:      CSU Pueblo is another talented team in the RMAC that will be looking to spoil the Cougars RMAC home opening weekend on Saturday December 3^rd. They are coming into the weekend with an identical 4-2 record to match CCU. However, the Thunderwolves have lost two straight compared to the four game winning streak of the Cougars.  
CSUP is a talented offensive squad that averages just under 84 points per game this season. They currently have five players averaging double figures in points led by Lian Ramiro (13.8 PPG), Meekness Payne (12.3 PPG) and Makiah Morris (11.8 PPG). They are a defensive minded team that can easily impact passing lanes and force turnovers if the other team is not careful. CCU will need to protect the ball in order to be successful against CSU Pueblo this weekend.
 
Cougar Leaders:     CCU has gotten things rolling in the past four games and are really coming together to play as a team which has made them successful early on. DJ McDonald currently leads the Cougars in scoring as he is averaging 13.4 PPG and has been the biggest threat for the team from beyond the arc this season. Also leading the team is Jason Gallant. On the season Gallant is averaging 10.5 PPG, but he has dropped at least 20 points in two of the last three games he has played in, and also leads the team in assists and steals. Noah Kon (9.5 PPG) and Nic Zeil (9.0 PPG) round out the leading scorers for CCU.
 
Head coach Liam Simmons spoke about the upcoming weekend as he said, "Looking forward to opening RMAC play this weekend. RMAC presents different challenges than non-conference games, for our ball club that usually results in more physical play which I am looking forward to. Highlands and Pueblo are both very well coached programs who carry lots of talent and have the ability to really score the ball. RMAC play really tests your discipline and defense so we will have a great opportunity to show everyone that we are improved in both those 2 areas."
 
The CCU Event Center will be the place to be this weekend, so come out and support your Cougars as they are looking for a strong start to open up conference play. The men play on Friday December 2^nd at 7PM MST against New Mexico Highlands, and again on Saturday December 3^rd against CSU Pueblo. Stay tuned to CCUCougars.com for all of the latest updates surrounding all of CCU athletics.