For the first time in McNeese men’s basketball program history, the Cowboys have received votes in The Associated Press Preseason Top 25 poll.
McNeese, which went 30-4 last season while winning the Southland Conference regular season and tournament championships, garnered 11 votes from voters. That was the most of any mid-major on the list.
The Kansas Jayhawks topped the preseason poll while McNeese’s Nov. 11th opponent — Alabama — was ranked No. 2 overall.
The Cowboys return three starters and six lettermen from last year’s record-setting NCAA Tournament team. That includes All-SLC and Defensive Player of the Year Christian Shumate, Javohn Garcia, DJ Richards Jr., Mike Saunders, and Omar Cooper.
In addition, McNeese added several players out of the NCAA Transfer Portal, including Joe Charles (Louisiana), Quadir Copeland (Syracuse), Sincere Parker (Saint Louis), Brandon Murray (Ole Miss), Bryant Selebangue (Arizona State), Jerome Brewer Jr. (A&M-Commerce), Alyn Breed (Providence) and Lamong Evans (Saint Louis).
McNeese opens the season on Nov. 4 at South Dakota State in the Field of 68 Season Opener.
2024-25 AP Preseason Top 25
- Kansas
- Alabama
- UConn
- Houston
- Iowa State
- Gonzaga, 1157 (1)
- Duke, 1154
- Baylor, 1109
- North Carolina, 1037
- Arizona, 905
- Auburn, 901
- Tennessee, 775
- Texas A&M, 737
- Purdue, 678
- Creighton, 631
- Arkansas, 625
- Indiana, 492
- Marquette, 484
- Texas, 332
- Cincinnati, 271
- Florida, 249
- UCLA, 210
- Kentucky, 191
- Ole Miss, 132
- Rutgers, 102
Others Receiving Votes: Illinois 92, Xavier 73, Texas Tech 58, Wake Forest 37, Kansas State 30, Michigan State 29, Ohio State 29, Michigan 19, BYU 14, Oregon 12, McNeese 11, Miami 11, Boise State 9, Saint Louis 9, Clemson 9, Pr0vidence 9, Mississippi State 6, VCU 6, Wisconsin 5, Saint Mary’s 5, Louisville 4, UAB 4, Ark Little Rock 3, Grand Canyon 3, Arizona State 2, San Diego State 2, Princeton 2, High Point 1, Maryland 1.