Liberty swept Conference USA by winning the regular season and the conference tournament. Liberty appears poised to repeat, but there are a few other programs that are looking to take the next step. Also, Delaware joined the C-USA this year from the Coastal Athletic Association. Can the Fightin’ Blue Hens make some noise in Conference USA this year? Kennesaw State added a lot in the transfer portal for this season. Will the Owls take the next step? We’ve reviewed all the rosters and situations, and we’ve found a play you’ll want to lock in before the season tips off.
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2025-26 Conference USA Basketball Champion Best Bet
Kennesaw State to win the Conference USA
Kennesaw State finished tied for fourth in Conference USA last year. They return three starters this year, including C-USA Player of the Year candidate guard Simeon Cottle. Cottle averaged 18.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists as the Owls’ lead guard. He earned 2nd Team honors for the C-USA last year.
Cottle will be joined in the backcourt by returning Sophomore RJ Johnson. The Owls also return another All-Conference USA candidate in sophomore forward Braedan Lue. Lue averaged 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game last season.
Kennesaw State also brings back wing Jamil Miller for another season. Miller could earn a starting role this year. He flashed as a true freshman last year, averaging 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Junior Frankquon Sherman and senior Perry Smith Jr. He comes to Kennesaw State from NC Central. Smith Jr. averaged 11.4 points and 6.0 rebounds last season. He started his career at Vermont before emerging with the Eagles last year. It’s expected that Smith will take on a larger role in the Owls’ front court.
In addition to the veterans on the roster, Kennesaw State also brought in an impressive freshman class. Kaden Rickard impressed over the summer and could emerge as a starter or key rotation piece for the Owls. Rickard stands at 6’6″ and showed high-level athleticism on the defensive end. He played the point in high school, but is believed to be able to cover multiple positions on the floor.
Freshman Brendan Tousignant is a capable shooter and could find a role off the bench as a threat from deep range. Darius Washington III is another freshman who could work his way into minutes in the backcourt.
Kennesaw State coach Antoine Pettaway demonstrated his ability to win with a younger roster last year. He returns a lot of the same team, plus a few additions for depth. The starting five is capable of hanging with just about anyone in the C-USA, but this team will go as far as its bench takes them. All it takes is one or two younger players to emerge, like last year, for Kennesaw State to take the next step.
Liberty will likely be the chalky favorite to win the regular season in Conference USA this year. However, the arrow for Kennesaw State is on the rise, and they demonstrated their ability to win last year. Lock up the Owls to take another step and win the C-USA this year.
The College Basketball Experience
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