Gunnison, Colo.,   The Western Colorado Men's Basketball team travels to Colorado Springs to take on Colorado College for their first official game of the 2025-26 season.
 
WESTERN COLORADO MEN'S BASKETBALL GOING INTO THE GAME

• The Western Colorado men's basketball team enters the 2025–26 season looking to grow and surprise within the competitive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
• The Mountaineers were projected to finish 13th in the RMAC preseason poll, signaling that many around the league view them as a program still in rebuilding mode.
• However, there are encouraging signs of progress and potential on this year's roster. Veteran guard Christian Still returns as the team's leader, bringing valuable experience and consistency to a group that features several new faces.
• Western has bolstered its frontcourt with international size and talent, adding freshmen Adam Massarsch from Sweden, David Shelia from Georgia, and Joanis Koulisianis from the Czech Republic. The trio gives the Mountaineers a stronger inside presence than in recent years and reflects the program's growing recruiting reach.
• While this youth movement provides excitement for the future, it also brings challenges. Inexperience and early-season adjustments will be key hurdles as Western navigates the physical, fast-paced RMAC schedule.
• Developing chemistry between the veterans and newcomers will take time, and the team's ability to defend, rebound, and take care of the ball will determine how competitive they can be. Still's leadership in the backcourt will be crucial in setting the tone and guiding the freshmen through the grind of conference play.
• Western Colorado's mix of returning leadership and promising newcomers positions them to take meaningful steps forward and potentially surprise a few RMAC opponents along the way.

COLORADO COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL GOING INTO THE GAME  

• The Colorado College men's basketball team enters the 2025–26 season with optimism and high expectations after being picked to finish second in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference preseason poll.
• The Tigers are coming off a solid 14–13 campaign, including a 9–7 conference record, that showed both competitiveness and room for growth. This year's squad looks to build on that foundation and challenge for the SCAC title, with a mix of returning experience and developing depth across the roster.
• Overall, the Tigers are positioned for a promising year and have a legitimate opportunity to contend for the SCAC championship if they can stay disciplined and cohesive on both ends of the floor.
• With a strong returning core and a second-place preseason projection, Colorado College has the potential to turn its steady progress into a breakthrough season in 2025–26.

UP NEXT
The Mountaineers head to San Angelo, Texas to take on Angelo State on Fri. Nov. 14 at 11am.