DALLAS, Texas – Hardin-Simmons University headlined the coaches/sports information directors’ preseason poll as favorites for the 2024-25 American Southwest Conference Men’s Basketball title, announced Thursday.
Hardin-Simmons was selected at the top of the poll with 48 points and eight first-place votes. The Cowboys notched a 19-7 overall record with a 12-4 conference record to finish as Regular Season Co-Champions last season.
Mary Hardin-Baylor enters the preseason poll in second place with 32 points and one first-place vote. The Cru logged a 17-10 record with a 10-6 conference record in 2023-24. UMHB earned the runner-up title at the ASC Tournament last season, falling to UT Dallas 78-77.
LeTourneau ranked third with 28 points. The YellowJackets also earned the final first-place vote as they went 17-10 overall last season with a 10-6 conference record. The Tigers stand in fourth with 27 points after they finished the 2023-24 season with a 15-11 record and 10-6 conference record. Howard Payne stands fifth in the poll with 12 points after going 11-14 overall and 4-12 in conference play last season.
UT Dallas will not count in the 2024-25 standings and are ineligible for both the ASC and NCAA Championships due to the Comets reclassifying to NCAA Division II.
18 student-athletes were tabbed by coaches on the 2024-25 ASC Men’s Basketball Players to Watch List. This group includes: 2023-24 ASC Player of the Year Will Bartoszek (Hardin-Simmons) and 2023-24 ASC Newcomer of the Year Eli Beard (UMHB).
Season play begins on November 8
th for these teams.
2024-25 ASC Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st votes) |
Pts. |
2023 Record (ASC) |
| 1. |
Hardin-Simmons (8) |
48 |
19-7 (12-4) |
| 2. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor (1) |
32 |
17-10 (10-6) |
| 3. |
LeTourneau (1) |
28 |
17-10 (10-6) |
| 4. |
East Texas Baptist |
27 |
15-11 (10-6) |
| 5. |
Howard Payne |
15 |
11-14 (4-12) |
| $- |
UT Dallas |
-- |
19-10 (12-4) |
$ – Ineligible for ASC and NCAA Championships
2024-25 ASC Men’s Basketball Players to Watch
| Name |
Pos. |
Cl. |
Team |
Hometown |
| Jordan Balderaz * |
F |
So. |
UT Dallas |
Somerset, Texas |
| Will Bartoszek * P |
G |
Gr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Rockwall, Texas |
| Eli Beard * N |
G |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Big Sandy, Texas |
| Austin Brewer * |
F |
Gr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Stamford, Texas |
| Chris Bryant * |
C |
So. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Canyon, Texas |
| Joshua Davis |
G |
Sr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Houston, Texas |
| Nick Donnelly * |
G |
Sr. |
UT Dallas |
Flower Mound, Texas |
| Zach Engels |
F |
Jr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Austin, Texas |
| Josh Goings |
G |
Jr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Salado, Texas |
| Deonte Jackson * |
G |
Sr. |
LeTourneau |
Nacogdoches, Texas |
| Hudson Johnson * |
G |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Round Rock, Texas |
| Jason Justice * |
G |
Jr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Cedar Hill, Texas |
| Caed Liebengood * |
F |
Sr. |
LeTourneau |
Longview, Texas |
| Jackson Mayes |
G |
Jr. |
LeTourneau |
Waller, Texas |
| Austin Page * |
P |
Jr. |
UT Dallas |
Frisco, Texas |
| Ben Phillip |
G |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Boerne, Texas |
| Armonie Ramey * |
G |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Dallas, Texas |
| Michael Roberts |
F |
Jr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Denton, Texas |
2023-24 All-ASC Selection *
2023-24 ASC Player of the Year P
2023-24 ASC Newcomer of the Year N
Wilson is the official basketball of the American Southwest Conference and its six members.