Indianapolis, Ind. – Youngstown State was predicted to finish third in the 2025-26 Under Armour Horizon League preseason poll after a vote of the league's head coaches, athletic communications directors, and select media.
Youngstown State received 364 total points, including two first-place votes, and ranks behind preseason favorite Milwaukee (428 points, 24) and Oakland, (384, 7).
Robert Morris, Purdue Fort Wayne and Northern Kentucky are predicted fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively, while Wright State was voted seventh and Cleveland State was slotted eighth.
Detroit Mercy, IU Indy and Green Bay round out places nine, 10 and 11, respectively.
Senior Cris Carroll was voted to the Preseason All-Horizon League First-Team after averaging 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game last season. In league action, he averaged 9.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
He scored in double figures 16 times, recorded three double-doubles, and posted three 20-point games.
Youngstown State opens the 2025-26 season at Pittsburgh, Monday, Nov. 3. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.
2025-26 Under Armour #HLMBB Preseason Poll
Pl.       Team (First-place votes) – Pts.
1.        Milwaukee (24) – 428
2.        Oakland (7) – 384
3.        Youngstown State (2) – 364
4.        RMU (8) – 345
5.        Purdue Fort Wayne (1) – 287
6.        Northern Kentucky – 274
7.        Wright State – 221
8.        Cleveland State (2) – 217
9.        Detroit Mercy – 176
10.       IU Indianapolis – 115
11.    Green Bay – 93
 #HLMBB Preseason Player of the Year
Tuburu Naivalurua, OaklandÂ
Preseason All-League First Team (alphabetical order by school)
Orlando Lovejoy, Detroit Mercy
Marcus Hall, Green Bay
Amar Augillard, Milwaukee
Tuburu Naivalurua, Oakland
Cris Carroll, Youngstown StateÂ
Preseason All-League Second Team (alphabetical order by school)
Faizon Fields, Milwaukee
Seth Hubbard, Milwaukee
Dan Gherezgher, Northern Kentucky
Corey Hadnot II, Purdue Fort Wayne
DeSean Goode, RMU
