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The University of New Mexico men's basketball team will get a tough test before the Nov. 14 game against Colorado.

The Lobos will travel to Corvallis, Ore., this weekend for a closed-door scrimmage against Oregon State of the Pac-10, a Beavers media relations official confirmed Monday.

The Saturday game serves as a second exhibition for the Lobos, who play Western New Mexico on Thursday in The Pit.

The weekend provides the Lobos with the chance to hone their skills before the season officially begins Nov. 10 against Abilene Christian.

This is a homecoming for Lobo coach Ritchie McKay, who coached Oregon State to a sub-par 22-37 record in two seasons from 2000-02.

McKay said he can't confirm or deny the scrimmage.

Oregon State coach Jay John didn't return messages left by The Tribune.

Results from the game might not be available - at least to the media.

The NCAA bylaws state scrimmages against outside competition are permitted if they are conducted "in privacy without publicity or official scoring."

The Beavers finished 13-18 last season, including a 5-13 mark in the Pac-10.

But a returning core of post players led by 6-foot-10 Sasa Cuic (13.5 points per game last season) should test senior Aaron Johnson and the rest of the Lobos' front line.

OSU has four players at 6-10 or above, including 7-3 junior Liam Hughes.

The Lobos have one, 6-10 freshman Derek Oestreicher. If 6-9 sophomore Daniel Faris isn't in the starting lineup, the tallest starter will likely be Johson, generously listed at 6-8.

This could also serve as a recreational trip for New Mexico. Many college teams take preseason road trips to build team cohesion in a new atmosphere.

In September, coach Reggie Theus took his New Mexico State team to Canada for a four-game tour against professional teams. National-champion Florida recently traveled to upstate New York for a basketball getaway.

The Lobos' trip could be costly, too, considering airfare and hotels for 14 players, the coaching staff and any other faculty members who attend.

Closed door: McKay's open-door policy lasted less than a month.

The fifth-year UNM coach has decided to close the media's access to his practices for the rest of the season.

Monday was the last day of open practice.

Though McKay was offering three open practices per week for most of October, he said he now wants to keep much of his team's business - including on-court strategies - private.

Players will now be available for interviews for a half-hour window every day, usually before or after practice.

This policy is tighter than last season, when media could watch part of one practice per week.

McKay said in early October he was opening more practices because his team was exciting to watch.

Back on the court: Junior guard J.R. Giddens calls it a "super duper long time" since he's played a regular season game.

About twenty months, to be exact.

Giddens, a Kansas transfer who sat out last season, and Johnson, a Penn State transfer who did the same, have reason to celebrate during Thursday's exhibition.

"Just stepping on the corut will be like being reborn, refreshed," Giddens said. "It's been like playing with the same friends in the neighborhood every day. When you go to the new neighborhood, the competition level goes up a little bit because you're excited."

The only action these two have seen recently is in intrasquad scrimmages against teammates.

"I love (forward) Daniel Faris, but I need somebody else to guard me," Johnson said.

Giddens said the lack of new action starts to "wear on you."

"Especially because I didn't finish all of those practices," said Giddens, referring to McKay booting him out of numerous practices last season. "Now I'm finishing practices. I'm making progress."

Fifth man out: McKay said he will decide the day of tipoff who will be the fifth starter against Western New Mexico.

Numerous candidates could join Giddens, Johnson, forward Tony Danridge and point guard Jamaal Smith in the lineup.

It's expected to be one of five players - Faris or guards Jeffrey Henfield, Darren Prentice, Chad Toppert and Ryan Kersten.