Colorado School of Mines vs. UCCS, Saturday, 8 p.m. [RMAC Network][Live Stats]
 

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THE WEEKEND
RMAC play opens this weekend for Colorado School of Mines as they host a single game against travel partner UCCS at Lockridge Arena. Tip off is slated for 8 p.m. Saturday; note the time change as both the men's game and the preceding women's contest against Regis were moved back from their original 5/7 p.m. starts.

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. 

LAST TIME OUT
Mines last played on Nov. 16 and 17, beating Fort Hays State handily 91-72, then falling to a hot-shooting Nebraska-Kearney team 74-66. Against FHSU, Brendan Sullivan drained a career-high 24 points and Michael Glen had 18 with five rebounds to lead as Mines pulled away early and never let up. Against UNK, the Lopers went on a 16-0 run early in the second half to overcome a five-point Mines lead at the half and win. Mason Baker scored a game-high 22 and Kobi Betts had a career-high 10 off the bench.

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 UCCS [Series: Mines, 33-11]
UCCS is 3-1, and split their last games back on Nov. 16 and 17 as they beat UNK but lost to Fort Hays State. The Mountain Lions are led by Padiet Wang and his 19.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while DeRaun Clark has emerged with 16.0 points per game. UCCS rebounds very well averaging +4.3 per game over their first four; they also shoot the ball very well at .462 overall while holding opponents to .389, and they've accumulated 34 blocks in just four games.

The Orediggers lead the all-time series against UCCS 33-11 and have won three straight in a series that began in 1988. Two of those wins came last season as Mines beat UCCS 87-72 in their conference opener on Dec. 1 in Colorado Springs, then won an 81-80 thriller at home in the regular-season finale as Mason Baker went off for a career-high 32 points including the game-winning free throws with 3.0 seconds remaining.

LOOKING AHEAD
Mines is in the midst of a seven-game homestand as they have yet to go on the road this season. The Orediggers will also host Western Colorado and Colorado Mesa next weekend, and their first road contests won't be far from home as they visit Colorado Christian and Regis on Dec. 13-14.