After a break to celebrate Christmas, the men's basketball team is getting back into action this weekend as they will be taking on a tough nationally ranked Colorado School of Mines team. It will be a tough test, but the Cougars will be looking to start the New Year in style by taking down a ranked conference opponent. Tip is scheduled for 1/1 at 3PM MST at the CCU Event Center in Lakewood, CO.
 
Mines has been led by head coach Pryor Orser for over 20 years as he has been a big difference in why Mines has had so much success over the past couple of decades. This year is no exception to that either as Mines will be entering the game on Saturday with a stellar 11-1 record overall, and 5-1 in conference play. Their lone loss of the year came at the hands of fourth ranked Black Hills State University who defeated the Orediggers 85-77 in overtime earlier in December. Heading into the Christmas Break, Mines moved up in the rankings as they are now ranked eighth nationally in the latest NABC Coaches Poll, and are currently ranked ninth in the latest D2SIDA Media Poll.
 
CSM has four players that are averaging in double figures for points per game led by redshirt senior Adam Thistlewood who averages 16.6 PPG, and also leads the team by grabbing 6.8 RPG. 2021 RMAC Player of the Year Brendan Sullivan averages 14.3 PPG, and Sam Beskind anchors the offense as he averages 13.2 PPG, grabs 5.1 RPG and leads the team in assists with 4.6 APG which ranks him second in the RMAC in that category.
 
Mines combination of offense and defense has them near the top of the RMAC as they rank second in PPG (82.7), and third in points allowed per game (67.2). The Orediggers make it difficult for their opponents as they limit the mistakes they make and control the ball, but that is something that the tough Cougars defense will be looking to change for their game on Saturday as CCU forces nearly 14 turnovers per game.
 
Colorado Christian is heading into the first game after the Christmas break with a 6-6 record overall, and are 2-4 in conference play. They were narrowly defeated in their last two games as they lost to Regis by one point, and UCCS by six points, so each game was within reach for the Cougs, but they will be looking to finish out on Saturday and take down the nationally ranked Orediggers.
 
Jason Gallant has been on fire recently and he currently leads the team in scoring as he averages 13.9 PPG and 4.3 RPG. Gallant has scored at least 20 points in each of the last three games including a season high 25 points against Regis in their last game out. DJ McDonald averages 13.6 PPG as he anchors the offense from the point guard position and has scored 17 points in each of the last two games. Noah Kon has the ability to spark the offense as well with him averaging 11.7 PPG and has scored double digit points in each of his last five games including 21 against UCCS on 12/16.
 
Colorado Christian will be looking to continue their stingy perimeter defense in the game against Mines as the Orediggers shoot the three point shot with high efficiency. By keeping their attempts limited from beyond the arc, which will allow CCU to control the pace of the game and keep Mines in check throughout the game.  The Cougars have also done a good job on the year of limiting second chance points and that will be necessary in this game as well.
 
The team is looking forward to getting back onto the court for their New Year's Day matchup against the Colorado School of Mines where they will be looking to start 2023 off with a victory. Stay tuned to CCUCougars.com for all of the latest news and updates.