CSU junior Josh Pascarelli shoots a 3-pointer in CSU’s 91-86 win over Colorado on Dec. 6. Photo courtesy of ***Colorado State Athletics.***

UNM men’s basketball will find out Tuesday whether momentum travels, as the Lobos head to Fort Collins to face a wounded animal in Colorado State.

The Rams (10–4) enter the matchup down one—possibly two—starters, but they are coming off a 70–60 bounce-back win at Grand Canyon and still boast one of the nation’s most efficient offenses.

Junior forward Kyle Jorgeson (6-foot-9) averaged 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 50% from three (16-of-32) before suffering a knee injury in CSU’s 100–58 loss to Utah State on Dec. 20. Senior forward Reshad Mbemba (6-foot-7), a returning starter, has played just two games this season but provides physical post defense and solid screening when available. Jorgeson is OUT for Tuesday’s game while Mbemba is questionable.

Without Jorgeson and Mbemba, Colorado State struggled on the glass in losses to Utah State and Nevada, giving up a combined 27 offensive rebounds and 43 second-chance points. But those issues appeared corrected Saturday, as the Rams outrebounded Grand Canyon 39–29.

“Basically we played the same exact defense against Grand Canyon that we did against Nevada,” first-year head coach Ali Farokmanesh said. “We just didn’t finish plays verse Nevada, and that was the biggest difference.”

Even shorthanded, Colorado State remains one of the best shooting teams in the country. The Rams rank 25th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency and fourth in effective field goal percentage, shooting 42% from three.

*CSU’s offensive heat map shows that the Rams shoot a high-percentage from several areas beyond the arc, in the mid-ragne, and also at the rim. Graphic courtesy of* ***CBB analytics***

Five Ram players shoot better than 40% from beyond the arc, led by juniors Josh Pascarelli (6-foot-3) and Brandon Rechsteiner (6-foot-1). Pascarelli is shooting 45% (42-of-92) on the season, while Rechsteiner is at 43% (42-of-97). In conference play, Rechsteiner has been effective (11-of-24), while Pascarelli has struggled (3-of-18).

With Jorgeson and Mbemba out, 6-foot-10 junior Carey Booth has emerged as a key contributor, averaging 12.4 points and seven rebounds per game. Booth is coming off a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double against Grand Canyon.

CSU forward Carey Booth dunks the ball in CSU’s 75-56 win over Dartmouth on Dec. 9. Photo courtesy of ***CSU Athletics.***

Senior guard Jevin Muniz (6-foot-6) and junior forward Augustine Kiudulas (6-foot-8) are expected to round out the starting lineup. Muniz leads CSU in playmaking and ranks third in the Mountain West at 4.6 assists per game, while adding nine points per contest.

Kiudulas scored a season-high 15 points Saturday.

While the Rams rank No. 365 in KenPom’s adjusted tempo, the number is misleading. Colorado State plays with purpose in the half court, using constant off-ball screening and sharp ball movement to generate open looks. The Rams rank third in the Mountain West with 16.93 assists per game.

Injury Report

Chris Howell is out against CSU, while Kevin Patton Jr. remains away from the team for personal reasons.

Mbemba last played in CSU’s Nov. 26 loss to Virginia Tech. Reports indicate he has been dealing with a lower-body injury but could possibly attempt to return against UNM.

Keys to the Game

1.Defend the 3-Point Line—Colorado State is one of the most efficient three-point shooting teams in country. Their 3-pointers are less of dribble penetration and more off good ball-movement and off-ball screening. UNM will have to disrupt Colorado State’s flow with ball pressure and defend off-ball screens well, whether they decide to switch or fight over picks.

2. Keep Getting the Ball Inside: The Lobos had 15 assists on Saturday against Wyoming, many of which were from passes to Tomislav Buljan or JT Rock for dunks or layups at the rim. Buljan and Rock have to continue to put themselves near the basket, and Lobo drivers need to keep finding them for the easy ones inside.

3. Crash the Offensive Glass: UNM had a season high 17 offensive rebounds and 16 second chance points Saturday against Wyoming. CSU is down two of its top rebounders. The Lobos may have some opportunities to get some second chance points.

4. Prove You Can Win on The Road: UNM is 1-2 in true road games this season, having lost to Boise State 62-53 and New Mexico State 76-68 but knocking off VCU 81-78. To finish the season at the top of the Mountain West, UNM is going to have to win some conference road games, and with the Rams being down possibly two starters, this is one of those games they should take advantage of.