Liberty has been picked to repeat as Conference USA champions in the preseason poll, as released by the conference earlier this month.
The Flames received 11 of the 12 available first-place votes and 143 points in the poll. Kennesaw State garnered the other first-place vote and was picked to finish in second place with 126 points. Behind the Flames and Owls were New Mexico State, Middle Tennessee, and Louisiana tech to round out the top 5.
Liberty was the only team in the league with three players on the preseason all-conference team and one of only two CUSA squads with multiple players on the 10-player team. Colin Porter, Zach Cleveland, and Kaden Metheny were named to the league’s preseason all-conference team. Kennesaw State featured the Preseason Player of the Year and all-conference team member Simeon Cottle, along with Preseason All-Conference selection Braeden Lue.
The Flames’ first place selection in this year’s poll comes on the heels of a 2024-25 season in which Liberty posted a 28-7 overall record and 13-5 CUSA mark while claiming the regular season and tournament titles in the league.
This is the second straight year Cleveland and Metheny have been tabbed to the CUSA Preseason All-Conference team. Cleveland was an all-CUSA third team selection as a junior last year. Metheny, the 2025 CUSA Championship MVP, earned all-CUSA second team honors last year. Porter, an all-CUSA honorable mention selection during the 2024-25 season, earns his first preseason all-conference nod.
Liberty will open the season on Nov. 3 at Liberty Arena against Kentucky Christian before hosting Charleston and FAU for the Field of 68 event the first weekend of the men’s basketball season.
The full preseason CUSA poll and all-conference teams are listed below.
Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll
(1st place votes) Total Points
1. Liberty (11) 143
2. Kennesaw State (1) 126
3. New Mexico State 113
4. Middle Tennessee 103
5. Louisiana Tech 82
6. Western Kentucky 79
7. Jacksonville State 67
8. UTEP 66
9. Sam Houston 56
10. FIU 36
11. Delaware 35
12. Missouri State 30
Preseason All-Conference Team
Simeon Cottle, G, Kennesaw State (Preseason Player of the Year)
Braedan Lue, F, Kennesaw State
Cavan Reilly, G, Delaware
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil, G, Jacksonville State
Zach Cleveland, F, Liberty
Kaden Metheny, G, Liberty
Colin Porter, G, Liberty
Kaden Cooper, G, Louisiana Tech
Kamari Lands, G, Middle Tennessee
Jamel Jones, G, New Mexico State
