#14 Colorado School of Mines vs. #RV Fort Hays State, Saturday, 3 p.m. [RMAC Network][Live Stats]
#14 Colorado School of Mines vs. Nebraska-Kearney, Sunday, 3 p.m. [RMAC Network][Live Stats]
 

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THE WEEKEND
A pair of former RMAC rivals visit Golden as #14 Colorado School of Mines hosts Fort Hays State (2-0) and Nebraska-Kearney (1-2) for a pair of matinee games this weekend. Both games will tip off at 3 p.m. with FHSU on Saturday and UNK on Sunday.

TICKET/PARKING INFORMATION
Fans can purchase tickets online or at the door. All seating in Lockridge Arena is general admission. Parking is free on Saturday and Sunday. 

LAST WEEK
The Orediggers got off to a 1-1 start, falling in overtime to St. Mary's in their opener, 85-84, but throttling Lubbock Christian 75-47 in a rematch of last year's NCAA First Round. Against St. Mary's, Mines was down 19 at halftime but rallied back to force overtime where they were edged by a point. Against LCU, Mines went up big early and never let off the gas behind 18 points each from Brendan Sullivan and Mason Baker. That duo led Mines on its opening weekend averaging 19.5 and 19.0 points per game, respectively, while Michael Glen averaged 15.0 points and 10.0 rebounds and new addition Titus Reed had a breakout weekend with 12 points per game. Mines shot a solid .462 overall in the two games.

IN THE POLLS
Mines was nationally ranked in both major preseason polls, appearing at #14 in the NABC Coaches' Poll and #17 in the D2SIDA media poll. The Orediggers ended last year at #14 in the NABC poll and #21 in the D2SIDA media poll; they are the only RMAC team ranked in preseason. Fort Hays State received votes in the NABC poll.

OREDIGGERS TOP PRESEASON RMAC POLL
Mines was the overwhelming favorite to repeat as RMAC champion in the annual preseason coaches' poll announced in mid-October. The Orediggers (25-6, 21-1 RMAC in 2018-19) earned 224 votes overall and 14 of 16 first-place nods, with Dixie State, Regis, New Mexico Highlands, and MSU Denver rounding out the top five. In addition to the poll, Mason Baker and Michael Glen were named "Preseason Players to Watch" by the conference.

SCOUTING FORT HAYS STATE [Series: FHSU, 36-7]
The Tigers are 2-0 with wins over Arkansas Tech (88-78) and Southwestern Oklahoma State (58-53); they also played Kansas in a preseason exhibition and lost 86-56 after hanging with the Jawhawks into the second half. A trio of scorers – Aaron Nicholson, Nyjee Wright, and Jared Vitztum – average 12.0 points per game, while Vitztum and Jake Hutchings average 7.0 rebounds per game as well. Fort Hays State left the RMAC after the 2005-06 season, but they and Mines have renewed their old rivalry in recent years playing three games since 2016. Mines is 2-1 in those games, but lost 75-71 in Hays last year.

SCOUTING NEBRASKA-KEARNEY [Series: UNK, 33-16]
UNK is off to a 1-2 start. Falling to Oklahoma Baptist, 72-57, and East Central, 86-78, to start the year but beating Chadron State on Wednesday 87-79 in overtime. AJ Jackson's 13.5 points and Jake Walker's 13.3 points per game lead the team while Kyle Juhl has 8.7 points and a team-best 7.0 rebounds per game. Mines and UNK kept their series going after UNK left the RMAC, and the Orediggers have dominated in recent years winning seven of the last nine despite the Lopers getting a 67-60 win in Kearney last year.

LOOKING AHEAD
Mines is off next weekend and begins RMAC play Nov. 30 at home against UCCS.