Photo by: Sarah Bautista
Kats picked fourth in CUSA preseason poll
10/8/2026 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DALLAS - Sam Houston has been picked to finish fourth in the Conference USA men's basketball preseason poll, while guards Justin Begg and Jacobe Coleman were selected to the preseason All-CUSA team, the league announced Thursday.
The Bearkats received 64 points in voting by the league's head coaches, placing them fourth among the conference's 10 teams entering the 2026-27 season. Sam Houston is coming off a second-place finish in the league and an appearance in the NIT after going 22-12.
Western Kentucky was selected as the preseason favorite with 94 points and five first-place votes, followed by Kennesaw State with 90 points and three first-place votes. Liberty received two first-place votes and 79 points to finish third, while the Bearkats were fourth.
Middle Tennessee was picked fifth with 57 points, followed by New Mexico State (56), Jacksonville State (36), Missouri State (28), FIU (25) and Delaware (21).
Begg and Coleman give the Bearkats a pair of preseason All-CUSA selections entering the season, with both guards returning after making significant contributions in 2025-26.
Begg served as Sam Houston's primary point guard before being injured during conference play, averaging 9.5 points per game while handing out 80 assists. He shot 39.9 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from 3-point range while contributing 2.6 rebounds per game.
Coleman provided a scoring punch and perimeter shooting during his freshman campaign, averaging 8.7 points per game as a true freshman coming off the bench. He shot 46.4 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 2.5 rebounds per game. His ability to score efficiently from multiple spots on the floor added another dimension to the Bearkats' offense.
The preseason recognition for Begg and Coleman gives Sam Houston two of the conference's 10 preseason All-CUSA selections as the Bearkats prepare for the upcoming season, which opens Nov. 3 on the road at Alabama.
2026-27 CUSA Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Western Kentucky – 94 points (5 first-place votes)
2. Kennesaw State – 90 points (3)
3. Liberty – 79 points (2)
4. Sam Houston – 64 points
5. Middle Tennessee – 57 points
6. New Mexico State – 56 points
7. Jacksonville State – 36 points
8. Missouri State – 28 points
9. FIU – 25 points
10. Delaware – 21 points
The Bearkats received 64 points in voting by the league's head coaches, placing them fourth among the conference's 10 teams entering the 2026-27 season. Sam Houston is coming off a second-place finish in the league and an appearance in the NIT after going 22-12.
Western Kentucky was selected as the preseason favorite with 94 points and five first-place votes, followed by Kennesaw State with 90 points and three first-place votes. Liberty received two first-place votes and 79 points to finish third, while the Bearkats were fourth.
Middle Tennessee was picked fifth with 57 points, followed by New Mexico State (56), Jacksonville State (36), Missouri State (28), FIU (25) and Delaware (21).
Begg and Coleman give the Bearkats a pair of preseason All-CUSA selections entering the season, with both guards returning after making significant contributions in 2025-26.
Begg served as Sam Houston's primary point guard before being injured during conference play, averaging 9.5 points per game while handing out 80 assists. He shot 39.9 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from 3-point range while contributing 2.6 rebounds per game.
Coleman provided a scoring punch and perimeter shooting during his freshman campaign, averaging 8.7 points per game as a true freshman coming off the bench. He shot 46.4 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 2.5 rebounds per game. His ability to score efficiently from multiple spots on the floor added another dimension to the Bearkats' offense.
The preseason recognition for Begg and Coleman gives Sam Houston two of the conference's 10 preseason All-CUSA selections as the Bearkats prepare for the upcoming season, which opens Nov. 3 on the road at Alabama.
2026-27 CUSA Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Western Kentucky – 94 points (5 first-place votes)
2. Kennesaw State – 90 points (3)
3. Liberty – 79 points (2)
4. Sam Houston – 64 points
5. Middle Tennessee – 57 points
6. New Mexico State – 56 points
7. Jacksonville State – 36 points
8. Missouri State – 28 points
9. FIU – 25 points
10. Delaware – 21 points
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