PITMAN, NJ --- Montclair State has been predicted to win the 2025-26 NJAC Men's Basketball title, based on preseason polling of the conference's 10 head coaches.
The Red Hawks and TCNJ each garnered four of the 10 possible first-place votes in what shapes up to be one of the most competitive conference races in recent memory.
TCNJ is predicted to finish runner-up this season, while Stockton finished third and Rowan picked up two first-place votes to finish fourth overall in the preseason polling.
Kean and Ramapo are also predicted to finish in the top six and in the mix for a playoff spot.
NJCU was predicted seventh, while Rutgers-Camden was voted as this year's dark horse team to watch. Rutgers-Newark and William Paterson round out the predictions.
The season opens on Friday, Nov. 7. The 2025-26 NJAC Men's Basketball Championship is slated for Feb. 21-28, 2026.
2025-26 NJAC MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
(first place votes in parentheses)
- Montclair State (4)
- TCNJ (4)
- Stockton
- Rowan (2)
- Kean
- Ramapo
- NJCU
- Rutgers-Camden (dark horse)
- Rutgers-Newark
- William Paterson
Kean
The Cougars are in the midst of a significant roster overhaul after losing some key scorers from last season, but they return a strong defensive foundation. Adam Silas leads both the offensive and defensive efforts after averaging 13.2 points per game last season, while Phil Brown Jr. provides interior presence after posting 6.6 rebounds per game. Braelen Crump adds defensive toughness to a squad looking to build chemistry with a largely new roster. Head coach David Turco's squad will lean heavily on daily practice improvement to find its identity as the season progresses.
Newcomers to Watch: Dan Dextraze (JR; F; Asbury, NJ/Raritan Valley CC), Kareem Irby (JR; G; Hillside, NJ/Brookdale CC), Brien Dunphy (5
th; G; Howell, NJ/Waynesburg University), Malachi Jeffers-Viera (FR; F; Plainsboro, NJ/West Windsor-Plainsboro North), Ty Kline (FR; G; Little Egg Harbor, NJ/Pinelands Regional), Riyahd McDonald (FR; C; Newark, NJ/Weequahic)
Head Coach David Turco: "We have a fairly new squad this season after losing some key scorers from last year. With a young team, our focus will be on getting better every day in practice and continuing to grow throughout the season. Our goal is to earn a playoff spot and finish the season strong."
Montclair State
The Red Hawks captured four first-place votes and enter as the team to beat after earning Coaching Staff of the Year honors in 2024-25. Jacob Morales returns as a top offensive weapon after earning First Team All-Conference honors, leading the NJAC with 3.7 three-pointers per game while averaging 19.1 points and shooting 46.0% from beyond the arc. Rookie of the Year Kabrien Goss is back after an impressive debut, and the versatile Myles Primas anchors both ends of the floor. Ahmad Robertson and Christian Cevis add depth to a talented roster. With championship pedigree and a loaded returning core, Montclair State has all the pieces in place to capture another NJAC crown.
Newcomers to Watch: Mason Thear (FR; G; Schwenksville, PA/Devon Prep), Cristian Nicholson (FR; G; Mine Hill, NJ/Morris Catholic), Kevin Beck (FR; F; Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge)
Head Coach Justin Potts: "We have a hard working group. The most important thing for us is to play Montclair State basketball. We need to be committed to building the right habits during the journey and see how good we can be by the time it is over."
NJCU
The Gothic Knights face a major rebuilding year with 11 new players on the roster, marking the largest freshman class the program has seen in a decade. Guard Bakhi Rogers-Robinson returns as the top offensive returner after a solid 2024-25 campaign, while center Raymond Ezike provides defensive presence in the paint with his shot-blocking ability. The challenge for NJCU will be getting this massive influx of newcomers acclimated to both NJAC competition and the college game quickly. With such significant roster turnover, patience and development will be key themes throughout the season.
Newcomers to Watch: Brince Shelton (JR; G; Brooklyn, NY/Philadelphia CC), Donovan Crawford (JR; F/C; North Brunswick, NJ/Rutgers-Newark)
Head Coach Marc Brown: "The team is full of newcomers, with 11 new players on the roster who need to adjust to a new league and college basketball. This is the largest freshman class we have had in the past 10 years. It will be a very challenging year."
Ramapo
The Roadrunners face one of the toughest reloading jobs in the conference after graduating all five starters from last year's NCAA Tournament team and NJAC runner-up squad. Player of the Year Peter Gorman is gone after averaging a conference-best 22.0 points per game, leaving massive shoes to fill. Tim Linton returns to anchor both ends of the floor, while Nahum Lewis provides defensive intensity. Branden Moore and Elijah Barlow will need to step into expanded offensive roles for a Ramapo team looking to prove they can compete despite the significant losses. The Roadrunners welcome experienced transfers who will need to mesh quickly with returners if they hope to stay in the playoff hunt.
Newcomers to Watch: Roland Majors (JR; F; Miami, FL/Eastern University), Malcolm Eley (SR; G; Bronx, NY/University of Saint Joseph (CT)), Jalen Thomas (Lincoln University)
Head Coach Chuck McBreen: "Ramapo graduated all five starters from an NCAA Tournament team and NJAC runner-up last year. We are hoping to get all the newcomers on the same page with the returners and compete for an NJAC playoff berth."
Rowan
The Profs earned two first-place votes and return a solid core led by Brycen Williams, who knocked down 2.9 three-pointers per game last season while shooting an impressive 43.6% from beyond the arc. Taz Cantey adds offensive firepower, combining with Williams to give Rowan a potent perimeter attack. Defensively, Ife Okebiorun anchors the effort. The Profs brought in quality transfers and a talented freshman to complement their veteran leadership, creating the depth needed to compete for an NJAC championship and NCAA Tournament berth.
Newcomers to Watch: Giorgio Franceschi (JR; SF; Bologna, Italy/Gordon State Junior College (GA)), Nafi Walker-Muhammad (SO; G; Camden, NJ/Virginia Union), Michael Pirone (JR; G; Maplewood, NJ/Susquehanna University), Khalil Baker (JR; F; Hackensack, NJ/Georgian Court), Khamai Orange (FR; G; Alden, PA/Delaware County Christian)
Head Coach Eric Brennan: "We have a great group of returners led by our four seniors – Chris, Taz, Bryce, and Skip. I think we have done well with the student-athletes we added in the off-season. Every year is the same; compete for a NJAC Championship and NCAA Tournament Bid."
Rutgers-Camden
The Scarlet Raptors have been tabbed as this season's dark horse, and for good reason. Cameron Downs returns as the top offensive and defensive returner after earning Second Team All-Conference honors, averaging 17.1 points per game while shooting an efficient 54.9% from the field. The forward also contributed 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per contest, showcasing his ability to impact winning on both ends. Eric Benjamin provides additional scoring punch after averaging 12.5 points per game last season. With two key leaders and an influx of new talent, Rutgers-Camden hopes to exceed their eighth-place preseason projection and make a playoff push.
Head Coach Stuart Pradia: "With a lot of new talent and two key pieces returning for their senior year, my hope is that we can reach our ceiling as a group."
Rutgers-Newark
The Scarlet Raiders are embracing a youth movement with a roster eager to prove they can compete in the tough NJAC. Elisha Brown returns as the team's top two-way player, leading both the offensive and defensive efforts for a Rutgers-Newark squad that will be tested nightly. The Scarlet Raiders welcome a large group of newcomers who will be asked to contribute immediately, creating both opportunity and challenge for a program looking to climb from the ninth spot in the preseason poll. With youth comes unpredictability, and if this group can develop chemistry quickly and maintain their competitive fire, Rutgers-Newark could surprise some teams and play spoiler down the stretch.
Newcomers to Watch: Osa Osagie (JR; G; Newark, NJ/County College of Morris), Raheem Murray (FR; G; East Orange, NJ/Pioneer Academy), Adiel Fred (FR; F; Camden, NJ/Paul VI), Manny Rodriguez (FR; F; Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough), Zahkai Sylvester (FR; G; Passaic, NJ/Paramus Catholic)
Head Coach Joe Loughran: "We will be a young team that is looking forward to the challenge of playing hard every game."
Stockton
The Ospreys finished third in the preseason poll and return one of the conference's most dynamic scorers in Eriq Campbell. The sharpshooter averaged 13.7 points per game while knocking down 20 three-pointers last season, providing clutch perimeter shooting. Tayvon Gaither and Logan Mckee give Stockton additional offensive weapons, while Jahmir Payoute anchors the defensive effort. What makes Stockton particularly dangerous is their versatility and depth—head coach Scott Bittner can go small and quick or deploy an extremely big lineup depending on matchups. With 12-13 players capable of seeing significant minutes and a perfect blend of returning talent and impactful newcomers, the Ospreys have the pieces to make a deep playoff run.
Newcomers to Watch: Justin Harper (JR; G; Bridgeton, NJ/Georgian Court), Charlie Bell (SO; G; Miami, FL/Kutztown University), Alex Konov (FR; F; Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Manasquan), Riley Powell (FR; F; Cape May, NJ/Wildwood Catholic), Alex Fessel (FR; G; Vernon, NJ/Vernon Twp.)
Head Coach Scott Bittner: "We are very excited about the versatility and mental make-up of this group. We could play small at times or we could play a group that's extremely big. We have a great group of scoring and athleticism and should play a brand of basketball that is fun to watch. We could also be very deep and have 12 or 13 guys that could see significant minutes. With a good returning group and 5 or 6 newcomers that could see a ton of minutes it has been a fun preseason."
TCNJ
The Lions earned four first-place votes and are poised to make another deep run after winning 20 games and reaching the NCAA Tournament last season. Nick Koch returns after averaging 21.4 points per game while shooting 49.1% from the field and 78.2% from the free-throw line, earning First Team All-Conference honors. David Alexandre provides defensive intensity with 1.3 steals per game, while Matthew Solomon anchors the paint with 9.8 rebounds per contest. Jonathan Okocha rounds out the defensive effort, giving TCNJ a battle-tested core that knows what it takes to win in March. With key contributors returning from an NCAA Tournament team and fresh talent ready to contribute, the Lions are locked in on representing the NJAC on the national stage once again and this time under the tutelage of new head coach Evan Elberg.
Newcomers to Watch: Lucas Dipasupil (FR; G; Upper Saddle River, NJ/Northern Highlands), Mason Mangione (FR; G/F; Glen Rock, NJ/Glen Rock)
Head Coach Evan Elberg: "We bring a lot of key pieces from a 20-win NCAA Tournament team, but every year is new and every year brings new challenges. Our goal is daily improvement and playing to the TCNJ Men's Basketball standard. We want to put ourselves in a position to make the NCAA tournament and help represent the deep and talented NJAC on a national stage."
William Paterson
The Pioneers enter the season picked tenth but are eager to prove the doubters wrong with an exciting blend of youth and experience. Jack Gobel returns as the top offensive returner, while Delani Hyde leads the defensive effort after averaging 1.5 blocks per game last season. William Paterson welcomes an impressive group of newcomers, including several talented forwards and guards who should inject energy and athleticism into the rotation. The Pioneers' combination of young, hungry newcomers and returning contributors gives them the potential to exceed expectations if the pieces come together quickly.
Newcomers to Watch: Demond Kinchen, Jr. (FR; F; Hackensack, NJ/Hackensack), Charles Graves (FR; G; Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro), Fred Orock (JR; F; Williamstown, NJ/RCSJ-Gloucester), Camryn Reyes (SR; G; Bronx, NY/Mercy University), Ty’Shawn Pearson (FR; G; Westfield, NJ/Westfield), Asa Wharton (FR; G; Glassboro, NJ/Timber Creek)
Head Coach Brian Chapman: "William Paterson will be looking to improve with a combination of young, exciting newcomers and returners."