HUNTSVILLE — Sam Houston begins its quest to return to the top of Conference USA when the 2025-26 basketball gets underway Monday.
 
The Bearkats will host LeTourneau at Johnson Coliseum as part of a doubleheader with the Sam Houston's women's team. The Kats and YellowJackets will tip at 6:30 p.m.
 
Sam Houston has some rebuilding to do this season.
 
The Bearkats must replace 96 percent of its scoring from a year ago. Sam Houston scored 2,411 total points with 97 of those coming from sophomore returners Jaxson Ford (69 points), Cheik Ndiaye (23) and Jackson Rogers (5), accounting for just 4 percent of last year's scoring.
 
The Bearkats did add some veteran depth from the transfer portal. Sam Houston brought in NAIA All-American Kashie Natt from LSU Alexandria, All-MEAC guard Po'Boigh King from North Carolina Central and Justin Begg from George Mason for the front court and Veljko Ilic from Loyola Maryland and Isaiah Manning from TCU to the back court.
 
Damon Nicholas Jr. is making his return after sitting out last season due to injury. He enjoyed a breakout junior season in 2023-24.
 
He played in 33 games with 28 starts after taking on a starting role due to injuries. Nicholas stepped in to average 8.1 points per game, third best on the team, along with 3.6 rebounds while shooting 43 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free throw line.
 
Monday's game will be streamed on ESPN+.