LAS CRUCES, N.M. – As the 2025-26 basketball season draws near, Conference USA has unveiled its annual preseason poll and all-conference selections. NM State's senior guard Jemel Jones earned a spot on the CUSA Preseason All-Conference Team, while the Aggies were projected to finish third, marking a significant rise from their seventh-place prediction a year ago. 

Jones arrives in Las Cruces following a standout season at CSU Bakersfield, where he emerged as one of the nation's most dynamic scoring guards. The 6-4 guard averaged 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists while rewriting the Roadrunners' record book with new single-season marks for scoring (573), scoring average (18.9) and field goals made (237). His year was highlighted by a 45-point performance against CSUN, the highest single-game total in program history. He collected both All-Big West Second Team and Big West Newcomer of the Year accolades for his stellar play. 

The preseason poll places Liberty as the conference favorite with 11 first-place votes and 143 total points, Kennesaw State came in second with 126 points, followed closely by NM State with 113 points to complete the top three. The improved placement shows the program's rapid progression under Head Coach Jason Hooten after being picked seventh in the 2024-25 preseason poll. 
 

Preseason Player of the Year 

Simeon Cottle, G, Kennesaw State 
 

Preseason 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 

Preseason Poll (first-place votes) 

1. Liberty (11) – 143 pts 

2. Kennesaw State (1) – 126 pts 

3. NM State – 113 pts 

4. MTSU – 103 pts 

5. LA Tech – 82 pts 

6. WKU – 79 pts 

7. Jax State – 67 pts 

8. UTEP – 66 pts 

9. Sam Houston – 56 pts 

10. FIU – 36 pts 

11. Delaware – 35 pts 

12. Missouri State – 30 pts 

For complete coverage of NM State men's basketball throughout the 2025-26 season, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of the Aggies – and follow the team on Facebook (NM State Men's Basketball), Twitter (@NMStateMBB) and Instagram (@NMStateMBB). 

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