NABC Preseason Top 25 Rankings
 
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With the start of the 2025-26 season just 10 days away, the Colorado School of Mines men's basketball team returned to the national spotlight Tuesday with the release of the NABC Division II Preseason Coaches Poll, appearing at #10 in the first rankings of the season.
 
The Orediggers went 29-5 last season and 18-2 in the RMAC on their way to sweeping the conference regular season and tournament titles before making a run all the way to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship.
 
Despite the departure of several key players from last year's club including RMAC Player of the Year Majok Deng along with All-RMAC selections Riley Schroeder and Grant Pressly, the Orediggers do return Second Team honoree Markus Pastorcic-Straun and Honorable Mention selection Alex Romack. Jonathan Moore also saw extended time last season as Caleb Clark, Dom Girish, Silas McCurnin and Derek Lamb all saw action as well while second year players Will Cordonnier, Matija Jordovic and Braydon Jacob will look to make a splash in their first season of action. That group is joined by a slew of nine newcomers which includes eight freshmen.
 
Defending national champions Nova Southeastern top the preseason rankings with 15 of 16 first-place votes followed by Washburn, Dallas Baptist, Daemen and Fairmont State in the top five. Alabama Huntsville, Point Loma, Missouri S&T, Southwest Minnesota State and Mines round out the top five.
 
Around the RMAC, Black Hills State debuts this season at #17 while Colorado Mesa received votes in the preliminary rankings. Several other opponents on the Orediggers' 2025-26 slate also showcased in the voting with Lubbock Christian at #25 with St. Mary's (TX) and MSU Billings also earning ballots.

The first regular season rankings will be released on November 25.
 
Mines opens their 2025-26 campaign over three days next weekend at the D2CCA Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead hosted by MSU Billings. The Orediggers will play Central Missouri on November 7, Nebraska-Kearney November 8 and Angelo State on November 9.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines men's basketball on X and Instagram at @minesmbb. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, X and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.