DENVER – Get ready for brunch at the Auraria Event Center.
The MSU Denver men's basketball team is set to square off with San Francisco State in a non-conference game Saturday at 10 a.m.
The starting time for the game, originally scheduled for an afternoon tip, has been moved up to free up the time required to prepare for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament championship in volleyball later Saturday night.
The morning start shouldn't be much of a culture shock for the Roadrunners, who typically practice from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.
"Even though we do practice really early in the morning, we probably are better off playing in the afternoon," said MSU Denver coach
Michael Bahl, laughing. "But when you have the No. 1 volleyball team in country (which MSU Denver has been for five weeks), of course you want to do everything you can to help and support them. We understand that, and San Francisco State has been very understanding, too. We're glad we didn't have to move that game and that we'll be able to play."
MSU Denver is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2014-15, while San Francisco State is 1-2 after losing 78-75 Thursday night at Regis. The Gators didn't play last season as all teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Association sat out due to COVID-19.
"San Francisco State is traditionally a very competitive, very good team," Bahl said. "Vince (Inglima) does a really nice job of coaching. They play hard, they want to get up and down in transition, they crash the glass well, and they shoot a lot of 3s."
Meanwhile MSU Denver started last weekend with important regional home wins over both Oklahoma Christian and Arkansas-Fort Smith.
The Roadrunners are seeking to keep the momentum.
"Our big thing is having a 1-0 mentality," Bahl said. "We want to go 1-0 this weekend. We want to stay in the moment and not get ahead of ourselves."
Laolu Oke averaged 18.5 points and 14.0 rebounds to earn his seventh career RMAC Defensive Player of the Week award and
Miles Gibson added 15.0 points and 8.5 rebounds.
But the Roadrunners got contributions up and down the roster.
"I think our experience definitely showed," Bahl said. "
Maris Colton (4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds) had a phenomenal weekend – maybe not statistically, but there were times he was arguably the most impactful player on the floor, especially with his defensive versatility."
After the matchup with San Francisco State, MSU Denver will turn its attention towards a 3 p.m. home game Tuesday against Maine-Fort Kent of the United States Collegiate College Association. The Bengals are 2-5 after losing Thursday game against Thomas (Maine) and will also play Division I Maine and UCCS of the RMAC prior to facing the Roadrunners.
"Fort Kent is a team that has had success at its level and is a very dangerous team," Bahl said. "They really compete and play hard."
