By: Mark Wasik
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State men's basketball will not be sneaking up on the conference competition this season, as a year after being picked to finish in a tie for last place, the Owls have been picked second in the 2025-26 CUSA Preseason Poll, the league office announced on Thursday. In addition, senior guard
Simeon Cottle becomes the first-ever Owl to be named a conference preseason Player of the Year, while he joined
Braedan Lue as CUSA Preseason All-Conference team selections. This also marks the first-ever CUSA preseason selections for Kennesaw State in its two years in the league.
The Owls received 126 total points to place second and picked up one first-place vote, while Liberty is predicted to repeat as champions with 143 points and the other 11 first-place votes. KSU was followed by New Mexico State (113) in third and Middle Tennessee in fourth (103).
Cottle, a native of College Park, Ga., was a second-team All-CUSA selection last year while averaging a career-high 18.0 points per game, and he is the highest returning scorer in the conference, and in fact is the only player in the top ten of scoring last year to return to the league. He was a key member of the Owls' backcourt that carried them to a 19-14 overall record, a fourth-place finish in the conference and an appearance in the CUSA semifinals. Cottle set two school records last year, with most made three-point field goals in a game (eight-twice) and most three-pointers in a season (90).
Lue, a native of Douglasville, Ga., started 32 games while claiming CUSA All-Freshman team honors in 2024-25, and posted 10.0 ppg, third best on the squad, while adding 5.5 rpg, which was second-highest among the Owls. He picked up CUSA Freshman of the Week honors once during the season, and his 36 blocks as a freshman was the third-highest ever by an Owl in school history.
KSU will return three starters from last year's squad that posted a fourth-place regular season finish as well as an appearance in the CUSA semifinals. Joining them is a strong class of six freshmen and three D1 transfers.
Single-Game and Season Tickets for the 2025-26 are now available
HERE as the Owls open the 2025-26 slate officially on Nov. 3 against Paine College.
2025-26 CUSA Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Liberty (11) – 143 points
2. Kennesaw State (1) – 126 points
3. New Mexico State – 113 points
4. Middle Tennessee – 103 points
5. Louisiana Tech – 82 points
6. Western Kentucky – 79 points
7. Jacksonville State – 67 points
8. UTEP – 66 points
9. Sam Houston - 56 points
10. FIU – 36 points
11. Delaware – 35 points
12. Missouri State – 30 points
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Cavan Reilly, G, Delaware
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil, G, Jax State
Simeon Cottle, G, Kennesaw State
Braedan Lue, F, Kennesaw State
Zach Cleveland, F, Liberty
Kaden Metheny, G, Liberty
Colin Porter, G, Liberty
Kaden Cooper, G, LA Tech
Kamari Lands, G, MTSU
Jemel Jones, G, NM State
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Simeon Cottle, Kennesaw State
The Owls Fund
The Owls Fund is the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics with the goal of supporting our student-athletes, coaches and each of our 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through initiatives such as Legacy Lockers, the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic, sport-specific giving opportunities, general donations and season tickets, The Owls Fund connects fans with KSU's programs and student-athletes. Members receive exclusive benefits such as hospitality seating areas and events at Kennesaw State home games, and more. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
