SAN ANGELO - The Angelo State men's basketball team closes out the 2025-26 season on the road this weekend as they travel to take on two of the LSC's best in West Texas A&M and Eastern New Mexico.
 
The Rams and the Buffs battle it out on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. before closing the season in Portales against Eastern New Mexico at 4 p.m.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Rams split their final two home games, dropping a 77-72 decision to No. 10 Lubbock Christian before claiming an 80-67 senior day win over Midwestern State. Seniors Jordan Crawford and Jesaiah McWright each assisted six times, while Jhordan Ryan had a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double, and Davon Scott scored 15 points in 16 minutes off the bench.
 
SCOUTING WEST TEXAS A&M
West Texas A&M is 19-9 on the season, and 11-7 in LSC play; they have won five of their past six games overall, and all three of their home losses have come in the previous four games inside the First United Bank Center.
 
WT scores 85.2 points per game on 44.3 percent shooting from the field and 35.4 percent shooting from three. The Buffs average double figures, led by Fontaine Williams' 20 points per contest. Williams has scored in double figures in all but one game this season and has a dozen games with 20 or more points. Reigning LSC Offensive Player of the Week Brock Mishak averaged 27.5 points per game this past weekend as the Buffs claimed wins over Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M International.
 
Defensively, opponents score 78.3 points per game against the Buffs on 47.9 percent shooting from the field and 35.9 percent from three. The Buffs force teams into 15.8 turnovers per game and get out-rebounded by their opposition by 3.1 boards per contest.
 
The Rams are 24-60 all-time against the Buffs. Last season, the Rams defeated WT 62-59 in Canyon, their first win over WT inside the First United Bank Center since January 2022.
 
SCOUTING EASTERN NEW MEXICO
Eastern New Mexico, ranked 12th in the country in the NABC Division II Top 25, is 22-4 on the season and 15-3 in conference play. They have clinched a top-four seed in next weekend's LSC Tournament.
 
Eastern New Mexico scores 83.1 points per game on 51 percent shooting from the field and 34.3 percent from three. They are led in scoring by Jose Murillo, who is averaging 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. The senior has recorded a dozen double-doubles this season.
 
Opponents score 72.7 points per game on 43.1 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent from deep. They force 15 turnovers per game and out-rebound opponents by 6.2 rebounds per contest. Murillo anchors the Greyhounds' defense in the paint, blocking two shots per game.
 
The Rams are 43-44 all-time against the Greyhounds; ENMU has won the last three games in Portales, dating back to 2020.
 
AIR JHORDAN
Jhordan Ryan has been a force down low for the Rams since being inserted into the starting lineup. In his 12 games as a starter, Ryan has recorded eight double-doubles, doing so last time out in the Rams' win over Midwestern State. The Montserratian has averaged 36.1 minutes per game and played 40 or more minutes three times. He is averaging 13.9 points and 11.3 rebounds in the past 12 games, which was highlighted by an 18-point, 19-rebound effort against UT Dallas, and 24 points and 12 rebounds in the home finale against Midwestern State. Ryan was named the LSC Defensive Player of the Week on February 9th, his first award for the Blue and Gold. 
 
LITTLE NAMED LSC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK TO OPEN SEASON
Rams forward Zyon Little was named the Lone Star Conference defensive player of the week for his performances at the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic at the Trailhead to start off the 2025-26 season. Little led the Rams' rebounding effort, averaging seven rebounds per game. The Dickinson native also nearly recorded two double-doubles with 11 points and eight rebounds against Nebraska-Kearney and ten points and eight rebounds against No. 10 Colorado School of Mines.
 
NEW TEAM, WHO DIS?
The Rams will have a new look in the 2025-26 season as they return only two players - Chace Fields and Darius Brady - from last year's team. The Rams' coaching staff brought in 12 new players, four of whom come from the Division I ranks. Four of the newcomers join ASU from a JUCO, two from Division II, and two from high school.
 
RAMS RANKED SIXTH IN LSC PRESEASON POLL
The Rams were picked sixth in the LSC Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's coaches, sports information directors, and media members. Defending regional champions DBU were picked to repeat as LSC Champions, followed by St. Mary's, Lubbock Christian, St. Edward's, and West Texas A&M.
 
HOME COURT DOMINANCE
Under head coach Vinay Patel, the Rams are 42-8 inside the Junell Center/Stephens Arena, good enough for an .840 winning percentage. The Rams won their first 21 games on their home court under Patel's guidance, including a 13-0 mark in 2022-23, Patel's first season in charge.
 
RAMS IN LSC PLAY
Under head coach Vinay Patel, the Rams have a 53-29 record in LSC play.