Basketball is a game of runs, but sometimes those runs feel like a freight train you just can't jump off.
If you followed the Memphis Tigers men’s basketball vs Colorado State basketball matchup in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, you know exactly what I mean. People expected the Tigers to cruise. They were the No. 5 seed. They had Penny Hardaway pulling the strings and a roster that looked like a track team with jump shots.
But March doesn't care about your seeding. It really doesn't.
That game in Seattle at Climate Pledge Arena was a total gut punch for the 901. Memphis went in riding a massive wave of momentum after winning both the AAC regular season and the tournament title. They had 29 wins—the most ever in the Penny era. Then, the Rams from Fort Collins showed up and played spoiler in a way that left everyone scratching their heads.
The Night the Memphis Tigers Men’s Basketball vs Colorado State Basketball Rivalry Got Real
Honestly, calling it a rivalry might be a stretch since they've only played a handful of times, but the bad blood is starting to simmer. Before 2025, the big memory was the 2021 NIT semifinals where Memphis blew the doors off Colorado State 90-67. Back then, Memphis was just too fast. Too long.
2025 was a different story.
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The Tigers actually led 36-31 at the half. It felt like business as usual. Dain Dainja was playing like a man possessed, eventually finishing with 22 points and 12 boards. The dude was everywhere—blocks, steals, second-chance points. But the second half? Total collapse.
Colorado State went on a 23-10 run that basically sucked the air out of the building.
Why the Rams Won the Tactical War
Niko Medved (who has since moved on, but his fingerprints were all over that system) had those guys moving like they were on strings. While Memphis relied on raw athleticism and individual brilliance from guys like PJ Haggerty, Colorado State just... shared the ball.
Kyan Evans was the nightmare scenario for Memphis fans that day. He dropped 23 points, mostly by torching the Tigers from deep. When a 12-seed hits 11 threes against you, you’re usually going to have a bad time. Memphis shot a miserable 26% from beyond the arc. You can’t win in modern basketball by trading twos for threes, especially when the other team is moving the ball as well as CSU did.
Breaking Down the 2025-2026 Rosters
Fast forward to now. Both programs look wildly different because, well, that’s the transfer portal era for you.
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Memphis is still trying to find that consistent identity. Penny has pivoted to a mix of high-upside youth and "I've seen it all" veterans.
- Aaron Bradshaw: The 7-foot-1 Ohio State transfer is the focal point now. He brings a rim-protection element that was frankly missing in the second half of that CSU loss.
- Dug McDaniel: Small, lightning-quick, and fearless. He’s the engine.
- Curtis Givens III: A sophomore who stayed home to play for the Tigers and has a stroke that can't be left open.
On the other side, Colorado State is rebuilding after losing some of that veteran magic. They’ve gone international and heavy on the "big wing" philosophy.
- Carey Booth: The Illinois transfer is a 6-foot-10 forward who plays more like a guard. He’s the kind of mismatch nightmare that gives Memphis fits.
- Rashaan Mbemba: He’s back and provides that physical interior presence they need to survive the AAC/Mountain West grind.
- Jase Butler: A sophomore guard from Washington who has taken over a lot of the playmaking duties.
The Stat That Tells the Whole Story
If you look at the Memphis Tigers men’s basketball vs Colorado State basketball box scores over the last few years, the rebounding battle is usually a lie.
In the 2025 loss, Memphis actually outrebounded CSU 41-34. They had 16 offensive boards! Usually, when you get 17 second-chance points, you win. But Memphis turned the ball over 16 times. Those "empty" possessions are what killed them. Colorado State only turned it over 10 times. They were efficient, boring, and deadly.
It’s a classic contrast in styles. Memphis wants a track meet; Colorado State wants a chess match.
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Key Matchup History
- March 2021 (NIT): Memphis 90, CSU 67. The "Landers Nolley II" game. Pure dominance.
- March 2025 (NCAA): CSU 78, Memphis 70. The "Kyan Evans" breakout. The upset that ended a "magical" season.
How to Bet This Matchup Going Forward
If these two meet again in a post-season or non-conference tournament, there are a few things you have to look for. First, check the turnover margin. Memphis under Penny Hardaway is always going to have high-risk, high-reward plays. If they are playing a disciplined Mountain West team like CSU, the "under" on Memphis's point total is often a safer play than the spread.
Second, look at the 3-point defense. The Tigers have a history of collapsing on the paint and leaving shooters open on the perimeter. Colorado State’s entire offensive philosophy is built on finding those open shooters.
It’s frustrating to watch if you’re a Tigers fan. You see the talent. You see the 7-footers and the NBA-level athletes. But then you see a kid from a mid-major program hit four straight triples and you realize that "culture" often beats "talent" in a 40-minute window.
Actionable Insights for the Next Season
If you're a fan or a bettor following this series, keep these points in your back pocket:
- Watch the Pace: If the game is in the 80s, Memphis wins. If it’s in the 60s, Colorado State is in control.
- The Transfer Effect: Both teams use the portal heavily. Don't look at last year's jersey numbers; look at where the players came from (Power 5 vs. Mid-Major experience).
- Home Court Matters: While the recent big games were neutral sites, the "Hardwood" at FedEx Forum is a different beast entirely. Colorado State has struggled historically in high-pressure road environments outside their altitude advantage.
- Foul Trouble: Memphis plays aggressive defense, which often leads to foul trouble for their bigs. If Bradshaw or Ingraham get two early fouls, the Tigers' interior defense evaporates.
The 2025 upset was a wake-up call for the American Athletic Conference. It showed that even a "top-tier" Memphis team can be picked apart by a team that executes better in the half-court. Whether the Tigers have learned that lesson remains the biggest question of the 2026 season.