The Colorado School of Mines men’s basketball team, currently ranked #10 nationally, is set to compete in the Lone Star State this weekend as they continue their quest for their first victory of the 2025-26 season. The Orediggers will face #25 Lubbock Christian on Friday at 7 p.m. CT and will play against #RV St. Mary’s (TX) on Sunday at 12 p.m. CT. Both games will be available for viewing on a pay-per-view basis through Flo College, with links for streaming and stats accessible via minesathletics.com.
Entering this weekend, Mines holds an 0-3 record after a challenging opening sequence at the D2CCA Tipoff Classic, where they faced tough competition from Central Missouri, Nebraska-Kearney, and Angelo State, losing all three matchups. Despite these setbacks, some players demonstrated remarkable performances, including Markus Pastoric-Straun, who scored 22, 32, and 19 points in the respective games, and Josh Romack, who achieved back-to-back double-doubles against Nebraska-Kearney and Angelo State.
This season marks the 25th year for head coach Pryor Orser, who is recognized as the winningest coach in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) history, contributing to Mines’ six RMAC regular-season championships and 14 NCAA Tournament appearances. In preseason polls, Mines was projected to finish second in the RMAC, indicating the high expectations for the team despite the current struggles.
Mines will also be integrating a number of new players into their roster, as they overhaul following the departure of several key contributors from last year’s championship-winning squad. With nine newcomers onboard, the Orediggers are looking to reload rather than rebuild, focusing on gaining experience and chemistry as they progress through the season.
Lubbock Christian, on the other hand, stands at 2-0 after dominating their early season games against UVA Wise and Augusta, showcasing a high-powered offense that averaged 93 points per game. The Chaps feature players such as Amondo Miller Jr., who has emerged as a standout scorer and is the leading contributor for his team.
Historically, the matchup between Mines and Lubbock Christian has been competitive, with the Orediggers holding a slim edge in the all-time series at 6-5. The teams last faced each other last season, with Lubbock Christian winning that contest 89-78.
This weekend’s games provide a significant opportunity for the Orediggers to gain momentum and confidence as they seek their first victory. Fans are encouraged to follow the action closely as Mines looks to turn their season around. After this weekend, the Orediggers will return home to Lockridge Arena to host UT Dallas and UT Tyler, providing a chance for redemption and celebration of their previous RMAC Championship.