It’s Christmas Morning for college basketball fans! To celebrate, here is our first edition of a Conference USA Men’s Basketball Preseason Guide. With Delaware new to the conference, us at Feathers and Field Goals spent the offseason learning about the other programs in the league: coaches, history, play style, and much more. One thing that I am on the same level as those who are familiar with the teams in the conference is learning the new rosters, as today’s landscape of mid-major hoops sees strong turnover in each offseason. Conference play will kick off Wednesday, December 17th as Kennesaw State travels to Murfreesboro to take on Middle Tennessee. Before their nonconference slates tip off, I am excited to present each team’s profile below, taking a stab at who I think the impact players will be for each side.
Preseason Awards
Player of the Year: Zach Cleveland, Liberty
Coach of the Year: Ritchie McKay, Liberty
Defensive Player of the Year: Kaden Cooper, Louisiana Tech
Rookie of the Year: Trey Williams Jr., Missouri State
Newcomer of the Year: Jemel Jones, New Mexico State
6th Man of the Year: Isaiah Ihnen, Liberty
1st Team
G Simeon Cottle, Kennesaw State
G Kaden Metheny, Liberty
G Jemel Jones, New Mexico State
F Zach Cleveland, Liberty
F Braedan Lue, Kennesaw State
2nd Team
G Colin Porter, Liberty
G Cavan Reilly, Delaware
G Kaden Cooper, Louisiana Tech
G/F Kamari Lands, Middle Tennessee State
F Michael Osei-Bonsu, Missouri State
3rd Team
G Zawdie Jackson, Florida International
G Jamar Franklin, Jacksonville State
G Damon Nicholas Jr., Sam Houston State
G Mostapha El Moutaouakkil, Jacksonville State
F Grant Newell, Western Kentucky
Preseason Power Rankings
This ranking was very difficult to make and means nothing besides being a fun exercise to look back on as the season progresses. Even looking back to the 2024 All-Conference teams, 10 selectees (3 First Team, 2 Second Team, 1 Third Team, 5 Honorable Mention) returned to their programs last year in 2024-25. Looking at it from this year’s perspective, only 4 selectees are still in the league, three of them on one roster. So, I recommend taking this with a grain of salt, but this preseason power ranking here will order our individual team analysis as we work our way through the preview.
- Liberty
- Kennesaw State
- Western Kentucky
- New Mexico State
- Middle Tennessee State
- Louisiana Tech
- Delaware
- Jacksonville State
- Sam Houston
- UTEP
- Florida International
- Missouri State
Individual Team Breakdown
Liberty Flames
Head Coach: Ritchie McKay (13th season, 272-134)
Home Court: Liberty Arena (4,000)
Key Losses: Taelon Peter (NBA Draft), Jayvon Maughmer (Eligibility), Owen Aquino (High Point), Gabriel McKay (Eligibility)
Key Additions: JJ Harper (West Liberty/D2), Ryan Jones Jr. (Virginia Tech), Zander Carter (High School), Drew Grimes (High School), TJ Drain (High School)
Notable Non-Conference Games: 11/7 vs. Charleston, 11/9 vs. Florida Atlantic, 11/24 vs. Vermont (ESPN Events Invitational), 11/25 vs. Rhode Island/Towson (ESPN Events Invitational), 12/10 @ NC State, 12/20 @ Dayton
Projected Lineup:
#0 Colin Porter
#3 Kaden Metheny
#9 JJ Harper
#25 Zach Cleveland
#12 Josh Smith
Bench:
#7 Isaiah Ihnen
#4 Brett Decker Jr.
#21 Ryan Jones Jr.
#11 Zander Yates
#1 Zander Carter
#15 Drew Grimes
#23 TJ Drain
#10 JC Shirer Jr.
#20 Torr Sorensen
#24 Brady Kester
Analysis:
The 2025 Conference USA Regular Season and Tournament Champions should be the unanimous favorites heading into the season as they return three All-Conference selectees from a year ago: Kaden Metheny (2nd Team), Zach Cleveland (3rd Team), and Colin Porter (Honorable Mention). The smallest backcourt in the conference of Porter (5’10”) and Metheny (5’11”) is yet the most lethal, as Metheny has limitless range and sunk 102 threes last year while Porter, who averaged 4.3 assists, had the best assist-to-turnover ratio in CUSA. Cleveland, my Preseason Player of the Year selection, was the second best player in the conference last season via KenPom. He does everything for the Flames, finishing last year with 11.0 points (third on team), 6.3 rebounds (first on team), 5.1 assists (first on team), 1.0 blocks (second on team) and 0.7 steals per game. Liberty’s ability to keep all three within the program is eye-opening.
Taelon Peter’s departure will definitely be noticed, as the Indiana Pacers’ second round pick led the team in scoring (14.7) and three-point percentage (45.8% on 5.2 attempts/game) off the bench, earning Sixth Man of the Year and 3rd Team All-Conference honors. Forward Isaiah Ihnen may be asked of more offensively from this. The 2024 Minnesota transfer averaged 10.4 points and 38.9% from three before suffering a season ending injury, but scored in double figures in 5 of his 11 appearances last season. Also expect a jump in opportunity for sophomore Brett Decker Jr., who scored 8 points against Oregon in the NCAA Tournament last year.
Along with Peter, the Flames will have to fill the minutes and production lost from starters Jayvon Maughmer and Owen Aquino. The program brought in West Liberty transfer JJ Harper, a two-way wing that was a key player in a Division II Elite Eight run last year. Forward Josh Smith sat out last season due to an injury, but is expected to immediately join the rotation after playing 94 games at Stetson. Other names to watch out for are forwards Zander Yates and Ryan Jones Jr. Yates, being able to stretch the floor at 6’8″ shooting 39.2% from three-point range, averaged 8.2 minutes in 32 appearances last year. Jones Jr. transferred to Liberty after redshirting at Virginia Tech as a freshman.
Ritchie McKay’s side is difficult to prepare for. They play selfless team basketball and can score a variety of ways. Playing at a slower pace, their offense was top 5 nationally and defense top 20 nationally in effective field goal percentage and three-point percentage. I wouldn’t be shocked to see them ask more from their veteran stars offensively, but I think they would rather prioritize balance with 7 players scoring 8 or more points per game again.
Kennesaw State Owls
Head Coach: Antoine Pettway (3rd season, 34-30)
Home Court: VyStar Arena (3,800)
Key Losses: Adrian Wooley (Louisville), Ricardo Wright (Eligibility), Andre Weir (Eligibility), Rongie Gordon (Eligibility), Delaney Heard (Eligibility)
Key Additions: Jaden Harris (New Mexico State), Perry Smith Jr. (NC Central), Amir Taylor (High School), Darius Washington III (High School), Trey Simpson (High School), Kaden Rickard (High School), Nigel Thomas (High School), Brendan Tousignaut (High School)
Notable Non-Conference Games: 11/16 vs. South Florida, 11/24 vs. Rice (Coconut Hoops), 11/26 @ FGCU (Coconut Hoops), 12/2 vs. Jackson State, 12/21 @ Alabama
Projected Lineup:
#5 Simeon Cottle
#11 RJ Johnson
#10 Jamil Miller
#6 Frankquon Sherman
#13 Braedan Lue
Bench:
#23 Amir Taylor
#0 Ramone Seals
#3 Darius Washington III
#12 Perry Smith Jr.
#2 Trey Simpson
#21 Jaden Harris
#4 Kaden Rickard
#7 Chase Clemmons
#8 Nigel Thomas
#24 Brendan Tousignaut
#31 Charles Stone
#30 Dozie Onyirimba
#9 Eric Holland
Analysis:
Kennesaw State found immediate success in the program’s transition from the Atlantic Sun to Conference USA, finishing as the 4th seed and making it the conference semifinals last season. A big reason for the elevation was from freshman Adrian Wooley, who was named CUSA’s Rookie of the Year and selected to the All-CUSA First Team after averaging 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, shooting 42.2% beyond the arc. Wooley expectedly entered the transfer portal after the season, eventually signing with Louisville. But the Owls return senior guard Simeon Cottle, who is a rare case in today’s world of college basketball of staying at the same school for all four years. Cottle, named to the 2025 All-CUSA Second Team, has improved his scoring and distribution numbers across each of his three seasons playing in his home state of Georgia. The CUSA Preseason Player of the Year is the favorite to lead the conference in scoring after averaging 18 points a game last year, and it wouldn’t shock me if he receives the same award in the postseason.
Along with Wooley, Braedan Lue and Jamil Miller were impact freshmen that started for the Owls. Lue was also selected to the conference All-Rookie Team after averaging 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. Miller, a multi-positional wing defender, averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds across 23.5 minutes per game. A big step for growth from this returning trio is being more efficient in perimeter shooting. Even with Wooley’s efficiency, Kennesaw State had the second-lowest three-point shooting numbers at 30.1%: Cottle averaging 31.9%, Miller 30.0%, and Lue 28.6%. The Owls were a strong defensive and rebounding team a season ago, but in order for them to take the next step, they will need to shoot better from outside.
Antoine Pettway’s group will get RJ Johnson, a member of the 2024 Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team, back to the rotation after losing him to an injury in preseason last year. A breakout candidate this season is junior forward Frankquon Sherman, a key member off the bench the past two seasons. Competing for frontcourt minutes is sophomore Ramone Seals, who averaged 9.4 minutes in 18 games his freshman season. Portal additions include forward Perry Smith Jr., a bruising forward from North Carolina Central. and Jaden Harris, a New Mexico State guard with experience in Conference USA. Harris was a late addition to the program after Wake Forest transfer Davin Cosby Jr. was involved in a serious accident this summer.
Pettway also values high school recruitment with four freshmen a part of the rotation last season and six joining the program this summer. A few expected to make an impact immediately, all from the southeast region, are guard Kaden Rickard, guard Darius Washington III, guard Trey Simpson, and forward Amir Taylor. If these freshmen can complement the strong returning core, the Owls will meet their preseason expectations as Conference USA title contenders.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Head Coach: Hank Plona (2nd season, 17-15)
Home Court: E.A. Diddle Arena (7,523)
Key Losses: Don McHenry (Utah), Babacar Faye (Utah), Julius Thedford (Memphis), Khristian Lander (Eligibility), Tyrone Marshall Jr. (George Washington), Enoch Kalambay (Campbell), Braxton Bayless (Little Rock), Jalen Jackson (Eligibility)
Key Additions: Grant Newell (North Texas), Cam Haffner (Evansville), Bryant Selebangue (McNeese State), Louie Semona (Stonehill), Ryan Myers (Western Illinois), Noah Boyde (LSU), LJ Hackman (Jones College/JUCO), Lawson Rice (High School), Armelo Boone (High School)
Notable Non-Conference Games: 11/10 @ Eastern Kentucky, 11/26 vs. Vanderbilt (Battle 4 Atlantis), 11/27 vs. VCU/USF (Battle 4 Atlantis), 12/10 @ Marshall, 12/19 vs. Tulsa
Projected Lineup:
#11 Terrion Murdix
#3 Cam Haffner
#30 Teagan Moore
#8 Grant Newell
#1 Blaise Keita
Bench:
#4 Ryan Myers
#0 Bryant Selebangue
#33 Louie Semona
#21 Leeroy Odiahi
#5 Jack Edelen
#7 Noah Boyde
#6 Kade Unseld
#2 LJ Hackman
#24 Lawson Rice
#12 Armelo Boone
#10 Cade Stinnett
Analysis:
Western Kentucky had a down year in Hank Plona’s first season taking over the program, a year after the Hilltoppers cruised to winning the Conference USA Tournament and making an appearance in March Madness. A huge part of their struggles came from their availability, losing all of Babacar Faye, Julius Thedford, Khristian Lander, Enoch Kalambay, Terrion Murdix, Teagan Moore, Fallou Diagne, and Kade Unseld to a chunk, if not all of last season. After missing the last two full seasons, Terrion Murdix is finally expected to debut in Bowling Green. Murdix has a long list of accolades from his previous stop at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, earning 2023 Southland Defensive Player of the Year and All-Conference First Team, 2022 All-Defensive Team and Tournament MVP honors for a program that made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. Murdix will be one of the best defenders and distributors in the conference if he can return to his 2023 version after recovering from injuries, where he averaged 5.4 assists (23rd nationally) and 2.3 steals (14th nationally) per game.
Along with Murdix back in the fold, Teagan Moore is healthy after taking a medical redshirt last year. Moore was expected to have a big sophomore leap last season after serving as a key reserve in the 2024 championship team. Now that he’s back, I expect him to be in the starting lineup on night one. The program also returns Blaise Keita, Leeroy Odiahi, and Jack Edelen to the rotation. Keita and Odiahi split time at the center position after arriving from Nebraska and Old Dominion last year. Edelen has been a key reserve in each of the last two seasons and was given more responsbility on offense in 2024-25, shooting 36.4% from three. Redshirt freshman Kade Unseld is also expected to earn his first collegiate minutes this season on the wings.
One of the strongest portal additions in the conference is WKU’s Grant Newell. Newell started all 36 games for NIT semifinalist North Texas, averaging 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. I expect Newell’s offensive responsibilities to increase for the Hilltoppers, who will look to be more efficient in all three levels of the court. Also added to the frontcourt are McNeese State transfer Bryant Selebangue, Stonehill transfer Louie Semona, and LSU transfer Noah Boyde. Selebangue was a key piece off the bench and one of the best rebounders for a McNeese team that won an NCAA Tournament game last year. Semona started the final 15 games for Stonehill, finishing his sophomore season averaging 13.2 points and 4.1 rebounds off 37.5% from three-point range as a 6’8″ stretch forward. Boyde, a 7’0″ center, saw limited time for LSU in SEC play after fully recovering from an ACL injury.
The Hilltoppers also added a trio of pieces to the backcourt, headlined by Evansville transfer Cam Haffner. The 6’2″ guard has attempted over 100 triples in each of his three seasons between Evansville and Eastern Illinois, shooting at a career 37.2% mark. Haffner was averaging 12.7 points and 3.6 rebounds before having his season cut short due to injury last year. Western Illinois transfer Ryan Myers, entering his sixth year of college basketball, reunites with head coach Hank Plona after playing for him at Indian Hills Community College in 2022-23. The 6’1″ guard averaged 13.2 points in two seasons at Western Illinois, earning All-OVC Second Team honors in 2024. Plona also added a two-way guard from his JUCO roots in LJ Hackman, who averaged 16.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists at Jones College last season. If healthy, which was Western Kentucky’s Achilles heel a year ago, this is one of the deepest rosters in Conference USA.
New Mexico State Aggies
Head Coach: Jason Hooten (3rd season, 30-34)
Home Court: Pan American Center (12,572)
Key Losses: Peter Filipovity (Eligibility), Christian Cook (Eligibility), Zawdie Jackson (Florida International), Robert Carpenter (Eligibility), Dionte Bostick (Eligibility), Jaden Harris (Kennesaw State), Emmanuel Tshimanga (Eligibility), Nate Tshimanga (Eligibility), Carl Cherenfant (McNeese State), Edward Nnamoko (Winthrop)
Key Additions: Jemel Jones (Cal State Bakersfield), Elijah Elliott (Southern Illinois), Julius Mims (Idaho), Jayland Randall (Southern Indiana), Kyrese Mullen (Hampton), Chris Terrell (Delta State/D2), Anthony Wrzeszcz (McMaster/Canada), Cyr Malonga (East Carolina), Amarco Doyle (Southern Idaho/D2) Christian Villegas (Texas A&M-CC), Omarr Smith (High School), Augustine Ekwe (High School)
Notable Non-Conference Games: 11/15 vs. New Mexico, 11/21 vs. Samford, 11/25 vs. UC Irvine (Cancun Challenge), 12/2 vs. South Alabama (Neutral), 12/6 @ Abilene Christian, 12/13 vs. Tulsa (Neutral)
Projected Lineup:
#11 Elijah Elliott
#21 Jemel Jones
#8 Jaylan Randall
#4 Jae’Coby Osborne
#0 Julius Mims
Bench:
#1 Gabe Pickens
#3 Kyrese Mullen
#5 Chris Terrell
#9 Anthony Wrzeszcz
20 Amarco Doyle
#24 Cyr Malonga
#12 Christian Villegas
#2 Omarr Smith
#44 Augustin Ekwe
#7 Teysean Eaglestaff
Analysis:
Jason Hooten’s second year leading the Aggies was a huge step in the right direction, finishing with a winning record and best defensive point totals in the conference. Even with losing their top seven rotation members from a season ago, including All-CUSA Third Team selectees Peter Filipovity and Christian Cook, the staff reloaded the roster with a focus to uplift the offensive production. The headliner is Cal State Bakersfield transfer Jemel Jones, who averaged 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists last season. Jones had a permanent green light for the Roadrunners, averaging 15 shot attempts per game. Setting both a career-high and a program-record for points in a single game with 45, Jones’s scoring ability should translate from a difficult Big West Conference to Conference USA. He will be one of the league’s best players immediately.
Starting point guard Zawdie Jackson also left the program, transferring to a conference foe Florida International. Expected to slot in to quarterback the offense is Southern Illinois transfer Elijah Elliott. Elliott, who averaged 14.0 points in five games before suffering a season ending last year, outputted 16.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game for UTRGV in 2023-24. If Gabe Pickens, Jackson’s backup who averaged 2.3 points and 2.0 assists in 11.4 minutes per game last season, can take a step forward, Hooten will have to find ways to run lineups with all of Pickens, Elliott, and Jones on the floor together at the same time.
Also returning with Pickens is sophomore forward Jae’Coby Osborne, who averaged 17.5 minutes per game in the Aggies’ final month of the season. Competing on the wings and in the frontcourt with Osborne are transfers Jayland Randall (Southern Indiana), Julius Mims (Idaho), Kyrese Mullen (Hampton), and Anthony Wrzeszcz (McMaster). Randall had an offensive breakout at Southern Indiana, averaging 15.0 points and a team-best 1.4 steals per game. Mims is a really strong rebounder, totaling 9.9 points and 6.7 boards a game in two years at Idaho. Mullen adds to the rebounding strength, who led Hampton on the glass in all three seasons there. Wrzeszcz, who was recruited by Jason Hooten at Sam Houston, was a role player for the Bearkats in their 2024 Conference USA Regular Season Championship. Wrzeszcz reunites with Wooten after spending a year at McMaster University in Canada.
One more name to watch out for is senior guard Chris Terrell, who averaged 21.2 points and led all of Division II in steals with 3.5 per game at Delta State. If Terrell’s offensive output can translate, the Aggies’ backcourt may be one of the most dangerous in the conference. Without any returning starters and only 2 returning rotational pieces, this may be a risk placing New Mexico State this high. But I am sold on these pieces molding to their defensive style while elevating offensive production from a year ago.
Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Head Coach: Nick McDevitt (8th season, 93-112)
Home Court: Monte Hale Arena (Murphy Center, 10,000)
Key Losses: Jestin Porter (Clemson), Essam Mostafa (Eligibility), Camryn Weston (Eligibility), Jlynn Counter (Charleston), Justin Bufford (Eligibility), Jacob Johnson (Eligibility)
Key Additions: James Dent Jr. (Northern Illinois), Sean Smith (Western Illinois), Jahvin Carter (Penn State), Luka Jovanovic (Serbia), Marcus Whitlock Jr. (Cowley College/JUCO), Savon Wykle (Missouri St. Louis/D2), Brandon Oloumou (College of Southern Idaho/JUCO), Jax Howard (High School), Charvez Ambrose (Walters State/JUCO)
Notable Non-Conference Games: 11/19 @ Michigan, 11/23 vs. Murray State (Cayman Islands Classic), 11/24 vs. George Washington (Cayman Islands Classic), 11/25 vs. McNeese State (Cayman Islands Classic), 12/1 vs. UAB, 12/7 vs. Belmont, 12/29 @ Houston
Projected Lineup:
#55 Sean Smith
#11 Tre Green
#22 Kamari Lands
#10 Torey Alston
#13 Chris Loofe
Bench:
#2 Jahvin Carter
#0 Alec Oglesby
#23 James Dent Jr.
#5 Jarred Hall
#13 Luka Jovanovic
#20 Savon Wykle
#1 Marcus Whitlock Jr.
#12 Brandon Oloumou
#8 Jax Howard
#7 Charvez Ambrose
Analysis:
Last season was crucial for head coach Nick McDevitt’s Blue Raiders, winning 22 games and falling just a game short of a share of the regular season conference title. Like the majority of programs at this level, Middle Tennessee State had a lot of production to replace, losing four starters and three players with postseason all-conference recognition. The returning starting position comes with two players who split time at the four: senior Kamari Lands and redshirt sophomore Torey Alston, who saw an increase in minutes when Lands went down with an injury. Lands, a former top-40 recruit with previous stops at Louisville and Arizona State, will have the ball in his hands more after averaging over 8 points a game last year. Alston, who made the Conference USA All-Freshman Team after tallying 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds with 23 starts across 20.9 minutes per game, could elevate his game to All-Conference level this season. Heading into 2025-26, McDevitt will find plenty of lineup combinations to include the two together.
Replacing the point guard pairing of Camryn Weston and Jlynn Counter are Sean Smith and Jahvin Carter. Smith, who has spent his previous four seasons at different JUCO and Division 1 stops, averaged 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 30 starts for Western Illinois. Smith set an Ohio Valley Conference record with a triple-double in back-to-back games. Carter returns home to Tennessee after averaging 8.3 minutes in 26 appearances for Penn State last year. In limited action, Carter had a 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio as a true freshman. Receiving passes from Smith and Carter along the perimeter will be Alec Oglesby, James Dent Jr., and Tre Green. Oglesby, who started all 34 games and averaged 10.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 40.3% from three at Stetson in 2023-24, medically redshirted at MTSU last year. Dent Jr. averaged 14.2 points a game at Northern Illinois, including a 36-point showing in the Huskies’ final game last season. Tre Green has been a solid role player for the Blue Raiders in all three seasons, looking to earn more minutes as a senior after shooting 41.7% outside the arc last year. Including Division II/JUCO adds Savon Wykle, Marcus Whitlock Jr., and Charvez Ambrose, this backcourt is deep and has flexibility in lineup rotations.
The biggest question for me is how Middle Tennessee handles the 5 position. Essam Mostafa, the 2025 Conference USA Newcomer of the Year and First Team selection, was a dominant force down low for the Blue Raiders, averaging 14.5 points and 9.2 rebounds. Chris Loofe, who supplemented Mostafa at center last year, will have the first opportunity to earn the majority of minutes at the 5 with his development at the program these last few years. Jarred Hall may be able to add a different look in rotation with Loofe, and a wildcard addition is Luka Jovanovic, a 6’11” forward with professional experience in Serbia.
It’s so hard to predict how individuals will develop and how teams will play together in preseason, but McDevitt’s side has a high floor due to its depth. They are two deep at every position with some positions even three deep. My biggest question is if 2-3 players from this group be able to rise to an all-conference level… if so, the Blue Raiders will be battling near the top of the conference for a second straight season.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Head Coach: Talvin Hester (4th season, 57-40)
Home Court: Thomas Assembly Center (8,000)
Key Losses: Daniel Batcho (Eligibility), Amaree Abram (Tennessee), Al Green (UNLV), Sean Newman Jr. (San Diego State), Sean Elkinton (Louisiana), Devin Ree (Jackson State), Jordan Crawford (Angelo State)
Key Additions: DJ Dudley (Hutchinson/JUCO), Sir Issac Herron (Oral Roberts), Scooter Williams (East Texas A&M), Avery Thomas II (Jones College/JUCO), Jermaurhiyun Anderson (East Mississippi CC/JUCO), Kylan Howze (Jones College/JUCO), Jaylen Fenner (High School), A’Meir Williams (High School), Melian Martinez (New Mexico JC/JUCO), Keegan Rowell (McLennan CC/JUCO)
Notable Non-Conference Games: 11/4 @ Nevada, 11/15 vs. Jackson State, 11/19 @ Indiana State, 11/26 vs. Indiana State, 12/13 vs. Louisiana, 12/17 @ Tulane
Projected Lineup:
#3 AJ Bates
#0 DJ Dudley
#11 Kaden Cooper
#2 Will Jeffress
#7 Sir Issac Herron
Bench:
#14 Will Allen
#8 Scooter Williams
#5 Avery Thomas II
#1 Jermaurhiyun Anderson
#10 Kylan Howze
#4 Jaylen Fenner
#27 A’Meir Williams
#21 Melian Martinez
#6 Keegan Rowell
Analysis:
A heartbreaking end to the season losing to Middle Tennessee in double overtime in the Conference USA Quarterfinals, Louisiana Tech had to quickly reset after losing seven members of the rotation, including some of the best players in the conference in Daniel Batcho, Sean Newman Jr., and Amaree Abram. Retaining Kaden Cooper and Will Jeffress was at the top of head coach Talvin Hester’s priorities. Cooper, my Preseason Defensive Player of the Year pick, averaged 9.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game after arriving from Oklahoma. Really strong at finishing at the rim, Cooper will look to improve his perimeter shooting (29.5% in 2024-25) to become an offensive focal point in his junior season. A big turn last year for the Bulldogs was losing Will Jeffress for the season in their third game, who was averaging 12.5 points and 8 rebounds in early action after transferring from Pittsburgh. Cooper and Jeffress, both with high major experience and a year’s worth of experience in Talvin Hester’s system, will be the glue on both ends of the floor this season.
This offense will go as far as AJ Bates takes them. In his freshman season, the 6’3″ point guard backed up the nation’s third-highest assist leader in Sean Newman Jr. With Newman Jr. off to San Diego State, Bates will be given the keys to the offense. If I had to make a “Most Improved” award prediction in preseason, AJ Bates would be my pick. Two additions to supplement the backcourt are junior college signing DJ Dudley and East Texas A&M transfer Scooter Williams. Dudley averaged 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and over a steal a game at Hutchinson Community College after spending his freshman year at Rider. Williams flashed as an inside scorer in his first season of Division 1 basketball, leading the team with 11.2 points per game and shooting 57.3% from inside the three-point line.
There is no replacing Daniel Batcho in the frontcourt, so it looks like Hester is taking a committee approach down low this year with incumbent Will Allen, transfer Sir Issac Herron, and a pair of JUCO signings in Kylan Howze and Melian Martinez. I project Herron will get the first start at the 5 due to his experience at the Division 1 level, playing in 57 career games and 23 starts at Oral Roberts across four years, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see a balanced rotation across the entire group. Avery Thomas II is an interesting one, who follows Howze from Jones College to Ruston. Thomas, standing at 6’7″, 210 pounds, averaged 14.6 points a game off 45% shooting from downtown for one of the best junior colleges in the country last season. I expect him to filter in with Jeffress at the 4 as they both can stretch the floor out and shoot efficiently from three.
Talvin Hester, who builds his teams with a defensive-minded, slower-paced tempo, is throwing a lot of darts from the junior college level this offseason. If a few of them can develop into impact players in Conference USA, along with their returning trio of Cooper, Jeffress, and Bates embracing the ball in their hands more, the Bulldogs may be a dangerous team when the calendar turns to March.
Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens
Head Coach: Martin Ingelsby (10th season, 147-137)
Home Court: Bob Carpenter Center (5,000)
Key Losses: John Camden (California), Niels Lane (Eligibility), Izaiah Pasha (Virginia Tech), Erik Timko (Eligibility), Trent Middleton Jr. (North Carolina A&T), Tahron Allen (Eligibility), Kevin Kogbara (Chico State)
Key Additions: Justyn Fernandez (Providence), Nnanna Njoku (Villanova), Christian Bliss (Virginia), Jameel Brown (Temple), Bouna Kebe (Memphis), Mason Ellison (High School), Jayden Taylor (High School), Lance Piper (South Carolina), Alex Kazanecki (High School)
Notable Non-Conference Games: 11/11 @ BYU, 11/23 vs. Southern Illinois (Jacksonville Classic), 11/25 vs. UNC Greensboro (Jacksonville Classic), 12/1 vs. Iona, 12/10 @ George Washington, 12/13 vs. CSUN
Projected Lineup:
#00 Christian Bliss
#3 Cavan Reilly
#4 Justyn Fernandez
#5 Macon Emory
#21 Nnanna Njoku
Bench:
#55 Jameel Brown
#44 Tyler Houser
#1 Mason Ellison
#35 Bouna Kebe
#15 Houston Emory
#20 Alex Kazanecki
#11 Jayden Taylor
#14 Lance Piper
#10 Brandon Baffone
#12 Alex McFadden
Analysis:
While a disappointing 2024-25 regular season, the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens almost made history on their way out the door of the Coastal Athletic Association, falling short in the CAA Championship close to winning 5 games in 5 days as the 12th seed. From this group, only one starter returns: senior sharpshooter Cavan Reilly. Reilly, spending his entire collegiate career as a Hen, had career bests across the board in scoring, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, rebounding, steals, and assists. Cavan, who has developed his game now as an all-around scorer and impact defender, increased his two-point field goal percentage from 41% to 63% from his sophomore to junior year. The captain will be a key piece in the program’s transition into their new conference home.
Losing CAA Rookie of the Year Izaiah Pasha to Virginia Tech, All-CAA 2nd Team selectee John Camden to California, and two-way slasher Niels Lane exhausting eligibility, head coach Martin Ingelsby’s staff had a lot of work to do to refuel the roster with talent. A portal avenue that has a high hit rate for Delaware is developing high major recruits that didn’t breakout at their most recent stops, Camden from Virginia Tech and Lane from Florida being recent examples along with Jyare Davis from Providence and Dylan Painter from Villanova. This year? Four new signings are added to that list: Justyn Fernandez (Providence), Nnanna Njoku (Villanova), Christian Bliss (Virginia), and Jameel Brown (Temple via Penn State). Fernandez, a perimeter specialist that followed his head coach Kim English from George Mason to Providence, may be the Blue Hens’ leading scorer this year and climb into all-conference conversations. Njoku’s biggest struggle at Villanova was staying healthy, battling injuries in each of his four seasons. Bliss, who has not played a collegiate minute yet due to redshirt and injury seasons, will get the keys to the Delaware offense at point guard this season. Brown spent two years at Penn State and proved his ability to be an explosive scorer in limited time at Temple.
Near the bottom of every defensive metric in the CAA last season, the program took a hit when projected starting center Tyler Houser had a season-ending injury in preseason. Houser is back and will add needed depth to the frontcourt. Expected to take a sophomore leap is Macon Emory, who showed flashes in his first season in Newark. Additional names to watch are Bouna Kebe, a 6’9″ Memphis transfer that can stretch the floor as a forward and Mason Ellison, the former Baltimore Catholic League Player of the Year who will likely earn immediate rotational minutes as a freshman at guard. Senior Houston Emory, freshmen Alex Kazanecki and Jayden Taylor will be called upon as well.
With a lot of changes within every roster, it is always hard to predict how players will mesh together on the court. From the high major talent arriving though, Delaware has one of the highest ceilings in the conference. It feels as if Christian Bliss and Nnanna Njoku are the X-Factors. If Bliss can break out in his first season of collegiate basketball at the point and if Njoku can stay healthy and be the defensive anchor that has been missing in Delaware these past few years, the Blue Hens will be in contention for a bye as a top 4 seed in the program’s first CUSA Tournament.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Head Coach: Ray Harper (10th season, 169-125)
Home Court: Pete Matthews Coliseum (3,500)
Key Losses: Jaron Pierre Jr. (SMU), Jao Ituka (Northern Illinois), Michael Houge (Oakland), Quel’Ron House (Southern Illinois), Mason Nicholson (Vanderbilt), Koree Cotton (UTRGV), Marcellus Brigham Jr. (Eligibility)
Key Additions: Mostapha El Moutaouakkil (Louisiana), AC Bryant (Alabama A&M), Toby Nnadozie (Coppin State), Jordan Vick (High School), Jaye Nash (Tulsa), Jacoby Hill (High School), Bencao Vungo (East Carolina), Thomas Tut (Southeastern Louisiana), Emondrek Erkins-Ford (Eastern Florida State College/JUCO), Aitor Anabitarte (St. Francis/D3), Connor Loy (High School)
Notable Non-Conference Games: 11/19 vs. South Alabama, 11/24 @ Arkansas State, 11/26 vs. North Dakota State, 12/17 vs. Eastern Kentucky, 12/20 @ East Tennessee State
Projected Lineup:
#3 Jaye Nash
#11 Jamar Franklin
#0 AC Bryant
#23 Mostapha El Moutaouakkil
#99 Iaroslav Niagu
Bench:
#1 Marcus Fitzgerald Jr.
#7 Toby Nnadozie
#2 Jacoby Hill
#8 Jordan Vick
#5 Bencao Vungo
#42 Thomas Tut
#13 Emondrek Erkins-Ford
#21 Aitor Anabitarte
#55 Aidan Driggers
#14 Connor Loy
Analysis:
What Jaron Pierre Jr. did in Jacksonville, Alabama last season was special. Maybe everyone within Ray Harper’s staff saw it coming, but no one else in the country did. The 2025 Conference USA Player of the Year led the conference in scoring with 21.6 per game, which was the fourth-highest in the country. After falling short in the CUSA Championship, Pierre Jr. entered the transfer portal… as I’m sure Harper’s staff also saw coming. Pierre Jr. eventually signed with SMU, and now the focus shifted to who will headline the Gamecocks in 2025-26. A good guess is senior guard Jamar Franklin, who was right behind Pierre Jr. in scoring at 10.4 per game before having his season cut short due to injury right as conference play started. Through 14 games last year, Franklin shot 41.3% beyond the arc. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him double his field goal attempts per game if he is ready to be the offensive focal point.
At the CUSA Basketball Tip Off Show, Harper described Tulsa transfer Jaye Nash as having a chance to be the best he’s ever coached in Jacksonville, which is a big claim after having Pierre Jr. and KyKy Tandy these past two seasons. The program also gets Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. back, who a difficult loss last year from a preseason injury. The 6’2″ guard averaged 11.7 points and 2.6 assists in 101 games at Tennessee State. Two other impact additions to the program this year also come from HBCUs in AC Bryant from Alabama A&M and Toby Nnadozie from Coppin State. Bryant was selected to the All-SWAC Second Team last season after outputting 14.0 points and 4.4 rebounds on 40.8% shooting along the perimeter. Nnadozie was named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year from leading the conference in steals (2.5/game), along with Third-Team All-MEAC honors scoring 12.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Mostapha El Moutaouakkil, a 6’6″, 200-pound big wing, is best used at the 4 position. The Louisiana transfer led his team in scoring (14.5) and rebounding (5.2), scoring all of his points within the three-point line last season. A pair of freshmen, Jacoby Hill and Jordan Vick, may receive immediate minutes in the backcourt as well.
Mason Nicholson was a defensive anchor for two seasons at Jacksonville State standing at 6’10”, 280 pounds. Transferring to Vanderbilt in the offense, the center position now becomes the biggest question mark for the Gamecocks. 7-foot center Iaroslav Niagu will be the hopeful answer after having a full year to learn from Nicholson and a full offseason to get stronger. Division II transfer Emondrek Erkins-Ford will be next up behind Niagu.
In today’s world of college basketball, almost everyone at the mid-major level is expected to lose their best players to the transfer portal every year if they still have eligibility. Ray Harper will look to convert the momentum that Jaron Pierre Jr. created within his program into another strong season in conference play, maybe finding his 2025-26 team with a more balanced offensive attack.
Sam Houston Bearkats
Head Coach: Chris Mudge (3rd season, 34-31)
Home Court: Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum (6,100)
Key Losses: Lamar Wilkerson (Indiana), Cameron Huefner (Eligibility), Marcus Boykin (Eligibility), Dorian Finister (Louisiana), Kalifa Sakho (Houston), Kian Scroggins (Eligibility), Josiah Hammons (Illinois-Chicago), Brennen Burns (Eligibility)
Key Additions: Justin Begg (George Mason), Isaiah Manning (TCU), Po’Boigh King (NC Central), Veljko Ilic (Loyola), Kashie Natt (LSU Alexandria/NAIA), Jacobe Coleman (High School), Jacob Walker (High School), Matt Dann (High School), Nathan Nguyen (High School)
Notable Non-Conference Games: 11/7 @ Texas Tech, 11/15 @ Utah, 11/19 vs. Wyoming, 12/2 @ Oklahoma State, 12/17 @ Oregon State
Projected Lineup:
#5 Justin Begg
#35 Po’Boigh King
#25 Damon Nicholas Jr.
#13 Isaiah Manning
#23 Cheikh Ndiaye
Bench:
#10 Jaxson Ford
#4 Kashie Natt
#1 CJ Beaumont
#8 Veljko Ilic
#2 Jacobe Coleman
#55 Jacob Walker
#12 Matt Dann
#11 Nathan Nguyen
#22 Jackson Rogers
#0 Noah Benny
Analysis:
Lamar Wilkerson’s relationship with Sam Houston is rare in mid-major basketball, as he stayed after earning All-CUSA First Team honors in 2024 before receiving the same recognition a year later. Transferring to Indiana for his final season of eligibility, the 1,300-point scorer donated a six-figure amount back to Sam Houston, stating that he wants to see the program that believed in him continue to grow. After winning the regular season title in 2023-24, the Bearkats had a step back last year. The program truly missed Damon Nicholas Jr. last year, who suffered a season-ending injury in preseason after outputting 8.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals off 36.8% shooting along the perimeter in a breakout junior campaign. Getting a motivated Nicholas Jr. back will do wonders on both ends of the court.
The projected starting backcourt are both new to the program in George Mason transfer Justin Begg and North Carolina Central transfer Po’Boigh King. Begg returns to Texas after limited time as the backup point guard for one of the best programs in the Atlantic 10 last season. King was a two-time All-MEAC selectee, earning second team honors after scoring 16.7 points a game last season. Expect 2025 NAIA Player of the Year Kashie Natt to earn key minutes, who averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds at LSU Alexandria. Natt scored 17 points in a matchup last year against now conference foe Louisiana Tech. CJ Beaumont returns to the rotation after taking a redshirt season and both freshmen, Jacobe Coleman and Jacob Walker, could be immediate impact players in the backcourt as well.
The Bearkats have a pair of returning forwards hoping to make a sophomore leap. Cheikh Ndiaye had a late start to his freshman year with an injury, but found some minutes off the bench in conference play. Jaxson Ford averaged 9.4 minutes in 29 games in his first collegiate season. Isaiah Manning transferred from TCU looking to be one of the main features for a program, and Chris Mudge’s system may free him to be just that. Loyola transfer Veljko Ilic had a strong season for the Greyhounds, averaging 7.8 points and 5.0 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game. Manning and Ford will compete for minutes at the 4, and Ndiaye and Ilic will compete for minutes at the 5.
Sam Houston was the best three-point shooting team in the conference last year, but in contrast was the worst three-point defending team in the conference. Chris Mudge’s staff hopes that the newest additions and Damon Nicholas’ return will help reset the tone on the defensive side of the ball, the side that fueled the Bearkats to 13 CUSA wins and a perfect 8-0 in conference home games in 2024.
UTEP Miners
Head Coach: Joe Golding (5th season, 70-63)
Home Court: Don Haskins Center (12,000)
Key Losses: Otis Frazier III (Eligibility), Corey Camper Jr. (Nevada), Ahamad Bynum (Southern Indiana), Devon Barnes (Ball State), David Terrell Jr. (North Texas), Kevin Kalu (Eligibility), Derick Hamilton (Campbell), Baylor Hebb (Eligibility)
Key Additions: Tyreese Watson (Louisiana-Monroe), Jamal West Jr. (Nicholls State), Kaseem Watson (Delaware State), LA Hayes (Frank Phillips/D2), David Tubek (Seton Hall), Caleb Blackwell (South Plains College/JUCO), CJ Smith (Oklahoma State), Mouhamed Mbaye (Trinity Valley CC/JUCO), Cassius Brooks (Arkansas Tech/D2)
Notable Non-Conference Games: 11/11 vs. Loyola Marymount, 11/15 @ Utah State, 11/24 vs. William & Mary (Jacksonville Classic), 11/25 vs. UAB (Jacksonville Classic), 12/7 @ Seattle, 12/13 @ Hawaii, 12/21 vs. Norfolk State (Sun Bowl Invitational), 12/22 vs. North Dakota State/UC Irvine (Sun Bowl Invitational)
Projected Lineup:
#5 Tyreese Watson
#7 LA Hayes
#11 Trey Horton II
#15 Jamal West Jr.
#33 Elijah Jones
Bench:
#1 KJ Thomas
#13 Kaseem Watson
#0 David Tubek
#4 Caleb Blackwell
#6 CJ Smith
#3 Bobby Montgomery Jr.
#25 Mouhamed Mbaye
#23 Cassius Brooks
#2 Jordan Hernandez
Analysis:
UTEP started last season with a lot of momentum from their returning group, pacing at 17-7 through mid February. Then the worst case scenario happened in the final few weeks, dropping their final 7 regular season games. While picking up a win in the First Round of the Conference USA Tournament, it felt like a lot was left on the bone for Joe Golding’s side in 2025. In the offseason, the Miners lost their top six minutes and top seven scoring pieces due to eligiblity or the portal. With replacement of production needed, a trio of returning role players may get the first opportunity to shine in junior forward Elijah Jones, junior guard Trey Horton III, and sophomore guard KJ Thomas. Jones and Horton III, both selected to the CUSA All-Freshman Team in 2024, can stretch the floor along the perimeter. Thomas will hope to make a sophomore leap as the program looks to fill its primary facilitator.
Golding also added a trio of transfers that were double digit scorers at their previous stops. Jamal West Jr. was named to the All-Southland Conference Second Team in each of the last two seasons at Nicholls State, averaging 12.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game in that span. Complementing Jones and West Jr. in the frontcourt is junior forward Kaseem Watson, a Philly native that averaged 15.5 points and was named to the All-MEAC Third Team last season. Competing at the point is Louisiana-Monroe transfer Tyreese Watson, another Philly native that is ironically not related to Kaseem now both together in El Paso. Tyreese averaged 12.0 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game for the Warhawks a year ago.
The Miners added a pair of versatile JUCO guards that expect to find a role immediately. 6’5″ junior LA Hayes led Frank Phillips College in scoring with 17.2 points per game, also averaging 5.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.0 steals to earn the school’s first NJCAA National Tournament appearance since 1958. 6’1″ guard Caleb Blackwell was named an NJCAA Second-Team All-American in 2025, scoring 13.1 points and totaling 5.9 assists per game for South Plains College.
Two additional names to watch out in the frontcourt are transfers David Tubek and C.J. Smith. Tubek averaged 10.4 minutes per game in relief at Seton Hall last season, and Smith redshirted at Oklahoma State after a year at Coffeyville Community College. The Miners look to have a deep roster heading into the season, but they must have some of these pieces elevate as “go-to” options before Conference USA play begins.
Florida International Panthers
Head Coach: Jeremy Ballard (8th season, 98-124)
Home Court: Ocean Bank Convocation Center (5,000)
Key Losses: Jayden Brewer (Western Michigan), Vianney Salatchoum (TCU), Jonathan Aybar (Eligibility), Asim Jones (Quinnipiac), Dashon Gittens (Sacred Heart), Okechukwu Okeke (Albany), Travis Gray (Wagner), Dante Wilcox (Eligibility), George Pridgett Jr. (Eligibility), Kole Williams (Kilgore), Jaden Grant (Graduation)
Key Additions: Zawdie Jackson (New Mexico State), Corey Stephenson (Cal State Bakersfield), Brit Harris (USC Upstate), Larry Olayinka (Samford), Eric Dibami (High School), Julian Mackey (Houston Christian), Michael Kelvin II (Oklahoma State), Amarion Nimmers (Tampa/D2), Kennedy Brown (Roosevelt/D2), Thiago Sucatzky (High School), Gvidas Gicevicius (Lithuania)
Notable Non-Conference Games: 11/8 @ Nebraska, 11/13 @ LSU, 11/24 vs. James Madison, 11/26 vs. Omaha, 12/3 vs. FGCU, 12/16 @ Miami
Projected Lineup:
#2 Zawdie Jackson
#1 Brit Harris
#3 Corey Stephenson
#5 Larry Olayinka
#9 Eric Dibami
Bench:
#4 Ashton Williamson
#10 Julian Mackey
#0 Michael Kelvin II
#11 Amarion Nimmers
#25 Kennedy Brown
#6 Thiago Sucatzky
#7 Gvidas Gicevicius
#34 Olajuwon Ibrahim
#15 Renato Ruiz
Analysis:
Like almost every roster in Conference USA, Florida International’s roster dealt with offseason turnover. In Jeremy Ballard’s case, a full reset may be a good thing after finishing at the bottom of the conference standings for the second straight season. The only returning piece to the rotation is sophomore guard Ashton Williamson, who originally entered the portal and committed to Iowa, but eventually withdrew from the portal to return to Miami. Williamson showed flashed in his first collegiate season and will look to take a second year leap in Ballard’s system. To play alongside Williamson in the backcourt, the Panthers earned an in-conference transfer with the signing of Zawdie Jackson, who led New Mexico State in assists and three-point percentage last season. Jackson had one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in Conference USA last season and will be integral for FIU taking a step in offensive efficiency.
Also finishing last in both scoring and three-point field goal percentage, the staff focused on adding perimeter shooting around Williamson and Jackson this offseason. Expected to be a key contributor for FIU, Corey Stephenson returns closer to home from CSU Bakersfield, where he shot 43.2% from three in low volume, totaling 11.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Senior guard Brit Harris shot 37.3% from long range off four attempts per game, averaging 11.6 points a game at USC Upstate last season. Julian Mackey, a 6’2″ guard from Houston Christian, led the team in scoring with 15.0 per game while shooting 36.4% from three-point range.
The Panthers have a full reset in the frontcourt this season, adding five members from all avenues: a high-major program, a mid-major program, Division II, high school, and internationally. Michael Kelvin II missed last season at Oklahoma State due to injury, but was a key piece at Ontario’s Queens University for three seasons prior. Hamed “Larry” Olayinka made impacts at both Samford and Utah Tech before joining FIU this offseason. Kennedy Brown averaged 6.4 points, 5.2 rebounds per game at Roosevelt University, a D2 school in Chicago. Eric Dibami, standing at 6’10”, 235 pounds, has the potential to be All-Freshman Conference USA if he transitions to the college game quickly after having breakout season at Miami Prep. The biggest wildcard is 6’8″ forward Gvidas Gicevicius, who averaged 8.2 points per game in two years professionally in Lithuania.
It’s difficult to forecast a roster when every piece has yet to been seen together. If Florida International were to rise in the Conference USA standings this season, the individual pieces connected as intended and helped their offensive unit become a dangerous three-level scoring threat.
Missouri State Bears
Head Coach: Cuonzo Martin (5th season, 70-64)
Home Court: Great Southern Bank Arena (11,000)
Key Losses: Dez White (Oregon State), Vincent Brady II (High Point), Jalen Hampton (Arkansas State), Chase Martin (Eligibility), Makhai Valentine (Northern Illinois), Wesley Oba (Eligibility), Mozae Downing-Rivers (Portland State), Allen Udemadu (Jacksonville)
Key Additions: Amar Kuljuhovic (North Dakota), Trey Williams Jr. (High School), Antwan Burnett (Grambling State), Kobi Williams (Truman State/D2), Darrion Sutton (Georgia Tech), Tyrique Brooks (Missouri Southern/D2), Keith Palek III (California Univ. of PA/D2), Cameron Boone (John A. Logan College/JUCO), Melakih Cunningham (High School), Ryder Cheesman (Australia)
Notable Non-Conference Games: 11/11 vs. Arkansas State, 11/15 @ UT Arlington, 12/6 @ Tulsa, 12/12 @ Xavier
Projected Lineup:
#1 Trey Williams Jr.
#13 Zaxton King
#4 Antwan Burnett
#7 Amar Kuljuhovic
#23 Michael Osei-Bonsu
Bench:
#0 Kobi Williams
#10 Darrion Sutton
#6 Logan Epes
#2 Tyrique Brooks
#11 Keith Palek III
#20 Cameron Boone
#5 Melakih Cunningham
#31 Ryder Cheesman
#3 Collin Clark
Analysis:
The Bears went through some bumpy roads on its exit from the Missouri Valley Conference last year, going 2-18 in Cuonzo Martin’s first season in his return to Springfield. After a down year, the program also lost three starters in the transfer portal. But the two starters that the coaching staff were able to retain are strong chess pieces in its transition to Conference USA. Senior forward Michael Osei-Bonsu will be one of the most difficult players for opposing coaches to prepare against. In his first year of Division I basketball, he was third on the team in scoring (11.0) and led the team in rebounding (7.4). Standing at 6’4″, 280 pounds, Osei-Bonsu will be hard to move around in the paint. In Zaxton King’s first season of collegiate basketball, he averaged just under 9 points a game and shot 38.3% beyond the arc. It is a good bet that both Osei-Bonsu and King take second year leaps within the program and become the go-to scoring options on offense.
Also returning to the program is senior guard Logan Epes, who averaged 11 minutes per game in 24 appearances off the bench. Joining the program in the backcourt is Grambling State transfer Antwan Burnett, who averaged 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last year. Cuonzo Martin also added a pair of Division II guards in Tyrique Brooks and Kobi Williams, who both averaged nearly 14 points and 5 rebounds per game at their respective schools. And the backcourt may have a star in the making in Trey Williams Jr., who averaged 17 points per game in his final season at Vashon High School, where he won four straight Missouri state championships. My Conference USA Preseason Freshman of the Year selection shot 53.7% from the field, 48.5% from three-point range, and 91.2% from the free throw line in his senior year.
The program also added a variety of new pieces to complement Osei-Bonsu in the frontcourt. Across two seasons at North Dakota, Amar Kuljuhovic averaged 10.0 points and 7.8 rebounds in 53 games. Darrion Sutton made 18 appearances as a true freshman at Georgia Tech, averaging 15 minutes per game for the ACC side’s final 12 games. The Missouri native and former top 100 recruit has an opportunity for a breakout sophomore season in Conference USA. Additional newcomers to this group are Division II transfer Keith Palek III and junior college signing Cameron Boone.
On paper, something that stands out to me on paper is Missouri State’s physicality. They will be one of the best defensive and rebounding teams in the conference. If the offense can find more consistency in scoring, this preseason power ranking placeholder will look foolish. Martin, who went through some highs and lows in stops at Tennessee, California, and Missouri, will look for a similar second year jump that he saw in his first Missouri State stint, where they went 24-12 with a CIT Championship in 2009-2010 after going 11-20 the year prior.
If you made it this far… thanks for reading! I plan on elevating this preview more each season as I get to learn the conference more. For continued coverage on not just Delaware but the conference as a whole, please follow our work at Feathers and Field Goals. I hope to get down to Huntsville in March to cover the entire conference tournament.
Happy College Basketball Tip-Off Day!
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