CSU Rams basketball earns home game vs. Saint Joseph’s in NIT
Colorado State earned more basketball.
CSU will make its 11th appearance in the National Invitation Tournament when it hosts Saint Joseph’s at Moby Arena at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
The game will be televised on ESPNU.
“I am excited for our guys and our program to be able to continue to play this season,” CSU coach Ali Farokhmanesh said. “We have had a great journey throughout the year of both highs and lows and the guys have earned this opportunity. We are looking forward to continuing to compete against top teams in the nation and raise our program’s brand.”
CSU last competed in the NIT in 2021, when David Roddy and Isaiah Stevens guided the Rams to the tournament’s semifinals. That season served as a springboard for an NCAA Tournament team in 2022.
The CSU-St. Joe’s winner plays the winner between Cal (21-11) and Illinois Chicago (19-15).
Saint Joseph’s (22-11 overall, 13-5 Atlantic 10) finished third in the A-10. The Hawks lean on a strong defense that ranks among the country’s most efficient, while the offense struggles to score. St. Joe’s coach Steve Donahue, who was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, is in his first season after a long run at Penn. It’s the third straight NIT appearance for St. Joe’s.
The NIT’s semifinal round is scheduled for Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with the championship game across town at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
CSU (21-12, 11-9 Mountain West) caught fire to close its final season in the Mountain West, winning eight straight in February and into March. The Rams lost 71-62 to San Diego State in the league tournament’s quarterfinal round.