In men’s basketball, the Atlantic Sun Conference may be a mid-major, but it’s as competitive as any conference in the nation.
Six teams had double-digit wins in conference play last season and more of the same is likely in 2025-26. A 108-game conference schedule kicks off and things will culminate with the ASUN tournament in Jacksonville starting on March 4. Lipscomb is the defending ASUN champion, but the Bisons will face plenty of strong competition within the conference.
Here’s a preview and rankings for the 2025-26 ASUN men’s college basketball season:
1. NORTH ALABAMA
Three players that were All-ASUN selections last season are gone, but coach Tony Pujol still has what many fans consider the best team in the conference. North Alabama will be led by senior forward Donte Bacchus and junior guard Canin Jefferson. Forwards Cornelious Williams and DarKaun King also will play key roles. If 7-foot-1 center Israel Jenrette plays up to his potential, this will be a hard team to beat.
2. QUEENS
Coach Grant Leonard’s team went 20-15 last season. The Monarchs are led by returning starter Bryce Cash at guard and senior Nasir Mann at forward. Freshman guard Jordan Watford also is likely to play a big role. But the wild card for Queens might be 6-10 center Gus Larson, who played for California in 2024 and Pennsylvania in 2023.
3. FLORIDA GULF COAST
The top four scorers from a 19-15 team are gone, but Coach Pat Chambers still has a roster that’s capable of challenging for the conference championship. Senior guard J.R. Konieczny is the biggest name on the roster. He started 19 games for Notre Dame in 2024 and could thrive on the mid-major level. He’ll be joined in the backcourt by point guard Rahmir Barno, who is a good assist man, but needs to cut down on turnovers.
4. EASTERN KENTUCKY
Senior guard Turner Buttry, a three-point specialist is the top returner for a team that went 18-14 last season. Alabama State transfer Amarr Knox will join him in the backcourt. Eastern Kentucky lacks a true center and will have to rely on forwards Austin Ball and Paul Yvens inside.
5. LIPSCOMB
The Colonels will face an uphill battle as they try to repeat as conference champions. Three All-Conference players have left and Coach Kevin Carroll is new. Much of the offense will have to come from outside shooter Miles White. Lipscomb also will look to a pair of 6-foot-10 players Grant Asman and Charlie Williams to play prominent roles.
6. AUSTIN PEAY
Sophomore forward Tate McCubbin is the key returner after earning ASUN Freshman of the Year honors last year. The frontcourt got even stronger with the Arrival of Rashaud Marshall, a 6-foot-8 transfer from Arkansas State. A strong front court could clear the way for three-point specialist Tekao Carpenter to be a prolific scorer from outside.
7. STETSON
The hatters were a dismal 8-24 last season, but there is some reason for hope. Sophomore guard Jamie Phillips Jr. returns after being named to the conference’s All-Freshman team last season. Treyton Thompson, a 6-foot-11 shot-blocking specialist, got solid minutes as a reserve last season, but will be asked to move into a starting role.
8. JACKSONVILLE
Robert McCray was a star for Jacksonville last season, but he transferred to Florida State. That leaves the Dolphins searching for a leader. Coach Jordan Mincy is expecting a lot more out of sophomore guard Chris Arias, who averaged only six points a game last season. The Dolphins also have high hopes for point guard Jaylen Jones, a transfer from Oakland.
9. NORTH FLORIDA
Last season’s leading scorer Jasai Miles transferred to Indiana. Three-point specialist Kamrin Orioland Kent Jackson will be asked to pick up some of the scoring load. The Ospreys will be heavy in the backcourt, but don’t have much size or experience up front.
10. CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Aside from sophomore guard Cole McCormick, Central Arkansas will be turning mostly to freshman and several transfers from non-Division I schools. He may not be a big name, but the Bears are counting on big things from Javion Guy-King, a transfer from Sunrise Christian Academy.
11. BELLARMINE
New coach Doug Davenport takes over a team that went 5-26 last season and won only two games in conference play. But there is some good news. Last season’s leading scorer, junior forward Jack Karasinski, returns and that’s a good start. Junior guard Kenyon Goodin is the other top returner.
12. WEST GEORGIA
In its first season as a Division I program last season, West Georgia went 6-25. Miracles don’t happen overnight and it’s going to take time for West Georgia to be a factor in this conference. Senior point guard Malcolm Noel is the top returner. Forward Javar Daniel and freshman Kenneth Chime give West Georgia some decent size on the inside.
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