Colorado Mesa opens its 2026-27 season Friday in Hawaii, beginning a title defense after the best year in program history. The No. 2 Mavericks went 37-2, swept RMAC play and reached their first NCAA Division II Final Four. They return senior scorer Mason Rowland and a veteran core but must replace leading scorer and rebounder Olivia Reed Thyne, plus starter Mykaela Moore. Newcomers will have a chance to fill a frontcourt role that remains unsettled.

By the Numbers
  • 37-2 overall and 20-0 in RMAC play last season.
  • Rowland averaged 18.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
  • Reed Thyne averaged 22.9 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
  • Colorado Mesa was picked first in the RMAC preseason poll, earning 192 points and 11 first-place votes.
  • The Mavericks have won all 6 of their games in their previous 2 tip-off tournament trips.
Yes, But

The Mavericks enter as the RMAC favorite, but repeating last year’s success will require replacing major production. Rowland is the proven scoring leader, while the team’s frontcourt depth and newcomers’ ability to adjust are key unknowns.

State of Play
  • Colorado Mesa opens against Alaska Anchorage at the Hoops in Hawaii Tip-off Classic.
  • The tournament guarantees 3 games; the Mavericks’ next matchup will be against either Chaminade or St. Mary’s.
  • Alaska Anchorage went 16-11 last season and was picked sixth in the GNAC preseason poll.
What’s Next

After the Hawaii tournament, Colorado Mesa returns home to face Texas Permian Basin on November 13, then plays West Texas A&M on November 15.

Bottom Line

The Mavericks have the returning star, experience and preseason confidence to contend again—but their early-season progress in rebuilding the frontcourt will help determine whether they can sustain last year’s historic standard.