Colorado State Basketball: News, Stats & Updates

Colorado State basketball is having a moment in mid-March 2026, and it's not just one team making headlines — it's two. While the CSU men's program is fighting for respect in the National Invitation Tournament, the women's team has captured the attention of the entire Mountain West Conference and beyond by earning their first NCAA Tournament bid in a decade. Here's everything you need to know about where Colorado State basketball stands right now.

CSU Women Make History with NCAA Tournament Bid

The Colorado State Rams women's basketball team is heading to March Madness for the first time in ten years, and they've earned every bit of it. After winning the Mountain West Conference tournament in the week of March 15, 2026, the Rams secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament — a milestone that signals a program on the rise under head coach Ryun Williams.

The Rams finished the regular season with a strong 24-7 overall record and 15-5 in Mountain West Conference play, demonstrating consistency against one of college basketball's most competitive mid-major conferences. Their Mountain West tournament championship was the exclamation point on an already impressive season.

According to reports on their NCAA Tournament seeding, the Rams were placed as a No. 12 seed in the Sacramento 4 region. Their first-round opponent is a formidable one: the No. 5 seed Michigan State Spartans. The game is scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2026, and will be played in Norman, Oklahoma.

As a 12-seed facing a 5-seed, CSU enters as an underdog — but 12-over-5 upsets are among the most common in March Madness history. The Rams will be eager to prove they belong on the national stage.

Key Players Powering the CSU Women's Run

Behind every tournament run is a roster with contributors who step up when it matters most. For Colorado State's women's team, two players stand out as central to their success this season.

• Brooke Carlson — The sophomore guard started every game this season and averaged 11.3 points per game, making her the team's leading scorer and a reliable offensive engine.
• Madelyn Bragg — Perhaps one of the more unique stories in the tournament field, Bragg is a senior who transferred from Division II Northern State. She started all but five games and averaged 8.2 points per game, proving that elite talent isn't always found in the Power Five.

The depth and chemistry of this roster didn't happen by accident. As reported by the Denver Post, the coaching staff identified strong team chemistry potential as far back as June 2025 when building out the new roster. That foresight paid dividends throughout the 2025-26 campaign, as the Rams played with a cohesion that belied their mix of transfers and returning players.

CSU Men Turn to the NIT After NCAA Snub

While the women's program is celebrating a historic achievement, the CSU men's team finds itself in a different but still competitive situation. The Rams failed to earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament and instead accepted an invitation to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

On March 18, 2026, Colorado State hosted Saint Joseph's Hawks in a first-round NIT matchup at home. Home-court advantage is a significant factor in early NIT rounds, giving the Rams a meaningful edge as they looked to extend their season.

Based on predictions and analysis of the NIT matchup, the Rams entered as a reasonable favorite. Saint Joseph's came in with a troubling 0-4 record against Quad-1 opponents, and all seven of their losses against Quad-1 and Quad-2 competition came by margins of at least seven points — suggesting they struggle significantly against quality competition.

The CSU men's team brings an interesting offensive identity to the floor. They rank 19th nationally in 3-point rate and an impressive 5th in 3-point accuracy, making them a team that can get hot from deep in a hurry. Their offense is further balanced by remarkable depth, with seven players averaging between 8.1 and 12.2 points per game — no single star to shut down, just constant pressure from multiple sources.

The defensive and efficiency metrics tell a more sobering story, however. The Rams rank 358th in adjusted tempo and 280th in effective field goal percentage (eFG%), indicating they prefer a slower pace but haven't always converted efficiently from the field. Against an opponent they should be able to outclass, those numbers are less concerning — but they explain why the NCAA Tournament selection committee looked elsewhere.

A Historic Absence: No Colorado Men's Teams in the NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament bracket announcement on March 18, 2026 brought a notable historical footnote for the state of Colorado. For the first time this decade, neither Colorado State nor the Colorado Buffaloes earned a bid to the men's NCAA Tournament.

As the Gazette's College Basketball Insider noted, Colorado connections are still present throughout the bracket — but through players and coaches who left the state, not programs still competing there. It's a sobering reality check for Colorado men's basketball, even as the women's side shines brightly.

For CSU men's fans, the NIT represents a consolation prize but also an opportunity. Tournament experience matters, and a deep NIT run can build momentum heading into next season.

What's Next: CSU Women Head to Norman

The immediate focus for Colorado State basketball fans is the women's first-round NCAA Tournament game on March 21, 2026. The Rams have traveled from Fort Collins to Norman, Oklahoma, ready to compete on college basketball's biggest stage.

As coverage of the team's departure noted, the Rams left Fort Collins with momentum and excitement building around a program that hasn't been in this position for a decade. For players like senior Madelyn Bragg, a Division II transfer now playing in the NCAA Tournament, this moment is the culmination of an extraordinary personal journey.

Michigan State is a legitimate challenge. As a No. 5 seed, the Spartans are expected to advance — but mid-major conference tournament champions with strong records often play with a chip on their shoulder that makes them dangerous in the opening rounds. With a 24-7 record and a conference title in hand, CSU has proven they can handle pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colorado State women's basketball in the NCAA Tournament?

Yes. The CSU Rams women's basketball team earned an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament by winning the Mountain West Conference tournament. They are seeded No. 12 in the Sacramento 4 region and play No. 5 Michigan State on March 21, 2026, in Norman, Oklahoma.

Who is the CSU women's basketball head coach?

The Colorado State women's basketball team is coached by Ryun Williams, who oversaw the team's 24-7 regular season record and their Mountain West Conference tournament championship in 2025-26.

Did CSU men's basketball make the NCAA Tournament?

No. The CSU men's team did not earn an NCAA Tournament bid and is instead competing in the NIT. They hosted Saint Joseph's in a first-round NIT game on March 18, 2026.

When is CSU women's basketball playing in the NCAA Tournament?

The CSU women's team plays their first-round NCAA Tournament game on Friday, March 21, 2026, against No. 5 seed Michigan State in Norman, Oklahoma.

What is Colorado State men's basketball record and stats this season?

The CSU men's team features balanced scoring from seven players averaging between 8.1 and 12.2 points per game. They rank 19th nationally in 3-point rate and 5th in 3-point accuracy, though they rank 358th in adjusted tempo and 280th in eFG%, reflecting a slow-paced style that hasn't always resulted in efficient offense.

Conclusion

Colorado State basketball is writing two very different but equally compelling stories in March 2026. The women's program, energized by team chemistry, tournament-tested veterans like Madelyn Bragg, and consistent contributors like Brooke Carlson, has reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade — a genuinely historic achievement under coach Ryun Williams. Their matchup against Michigan State on March 21 will be a true test, but CSU arrives with confidence earned over a 24-7 season.

Meanwhile, the men's program is working to salvage something meaningful from a season that fell short of the NCAA Tournament, using the NIT to gain experience and prove they can compete. The absence of both Colorado men's programs from the NCAA field is a moment worth acknowledging — but with the women's team in the spotlight, Rams fans have plenty to cheer about right now.

Whether you're tuning in for the women's NCAA Tournament run or following the men's NIT journey, Colorado State basketball deserves your attention this March.