Basketball Game Preview: Nucla Mustangs vs. Monticello Buckaroo

The Nucla Mustangs and the Monticello Buckaroo will face off at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday without much rest, having both just played. Nucla will come into the contest with an undefeated record on the line.

Nucla picked up another tournament win on Friday. Everything went their way against Telluride as they made off with a 52-29 victory. The Mustangs have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won four games by 21 points or more this season.

Brycen Rummel

Steals

12/19/25 vs Telluride	2
12/13/25 vs Soroco	5
12/12/25 @ Caprock Academy	6
12/11/25 vs Vail Christian	3
12/06/25 @ Sangre de Cristo	11
+ 26 more games

Nucla got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Brycen Rummel out in front who dropped a double-double with 17 points and 13 boards. Rummel has been hot for a while, having also posted two or more steals the last 31 times he's played. Another player making a difference was Holten McCluer, who went 8-for-15 on his way to 17 points along with eight rebounds and three steals.

Nucla smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in ten consecutive matchups dating back to last season.

For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Monticello and Dove Creek meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Friday. The stars were shining brightly for the Buckaroo in a 47-30 victory over the Bulldogs.

Nucla's win bumped their record up to 7-0. As for Monticello, the victory was their first on the road , bumping their record up to 2-6.

Everything went Nucla's way against Monticello in their previous matchup back in December of 2023, as Nucla made off with a 46-25 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Mustangs since the squad won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.