DALLAS, Texas – Hardin-Simmons University headlined the coaches/sports information directors’ preseason poll as favorites to repeat as 2025-26 American Southwest Conference Men’s Basketball Champions, announced Thursday.
Hardin-Simmons was selected at the top of the poll with 29 points and seven first-place votes. The Cowboys notched a 20-10 overall record with an 8-0 conference record to finish as Regular Season Champions last season. Hardin-Simmons also won the ASC Champion title and made it to the third round of the NCAA DIII Championship Tournament. The Cowboys earned postseason wins over Cal Lutheran and St. Thomas before falling to New York University.
Howard Payne enters the preseason poll in second place with 20 points and the final first-place vote. The Yellow Jackets logged a 13-14 record with a 3-5 conference mark in 2024-25. Howard Payne earned a quarterfinal win last season before falling to Hardin-Simmons in the ASC Semifinal.
Mary Hardin-Baylor ranked third with 17 points. The Cru went 15-11 overall last season with a 3-5 conference record and were the runners-up in the ASC Tournament. The Tigers stand in fourth with 14 points after they finished the 2024-25 season with a 6-20 record and 2-6 conference record.
12 student-athletes were tabbed by coaches on the 2025-26 ASC Men’s Basketball Players to Watch List. This group includes: 2024-25 ASC Defensive Player of the Year Armonie Ramey (HPU) and 2024-25 ASC Newcomer of the Year Trey Jackson (HPU).
Season play begins on November 7
th for these teams.
2025-26 ASC Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st votes) |
Pts. |
2024-25 Record (ASC) |
| 1. |
Hardin-Simmons (7) |
29 |
20-10 (8-0) |
| 2. |
Howard Payne (1) |
20 |
13-14 (3-5) |
| 3. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
17 |
15-11 (3-5) |
| 4. |
East Texas Baptist |
14 |
6-20 (2-6) |
2025-26 ASC Men’s Basketball Players to Watch
| Name |
Pos. |
Cl. |
Team |
Hometown |
| Chris Bryant * |
F |
Jr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Canyon, Texas |
| Silas Davis * |
PG |
Jr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Houston, Texas |
| Christian Dews |
C |
Jr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Beaumont, Texas |
| Zach Engels |
F |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Austin, Texas |
| Asher Fleming |
G |
Jr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Lubbock, Texas |
| Trey Jackson * N |
G |
So. |
Howard Payne |
Mansfield, Texas |
| Hudson Johnson * |
G |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Salado, Texas |
| Elijah Lawrence |
G |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Houston, Texas |
| Jack Pease |
G |
Gr. |
East Texas Baptist |
University Park, Texas |
| Ben Phillip * |
G |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Boerne, Texas |
| Armonie Ramey * D |
G |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Dallas, Texas |
| Michael Roberts * |
F |
Sr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Denton, Texas |
2024-25 All-ASC Selection *
2024-25 ASC Newcomer of the Year N
2024-25 ASC Defensive Player of the Year D
Wilson is the official basketball of the American Southwest Conference and its four members.