2025-26 SMSU Mustangs: Looking to make another run

[Stanger86]

Here we are, back again.

Last year, the Mustangs finished 21-9 and won a share of the NSIC regular season championship, making their second straight NCAA Tournament. The team returns 8 of its 9 full-time rotation players from 2024-25, with only the graduation of all-NSIC second team guard Dunwa Omot (also transferring out are redshirt freshman Nathan Fenske and sophomore Matt Thompson). Longtime associate head coach Nick Smith took a Division I job at South Dakota State, as well.

With so much returning, SMSU announced a smaller recruiting class of four players:
-Brayson Boike (6-foot-8 forward, Dawson-Boyd HS)
-Drew Hjelmeland (6-foot-7 forward, Dawson-Boyd HS)
-Reece Kircher (6-foot-0 guard, Papillion-LaVista South HS, Neb.)
-Isaiah Mahal (6-foot-4 guard, Northfield HS)

[GHawks]

They should be near or at the top of the league again. Should have won it outright comfortably last year and been the 2 or 3 seed in the regional but for some reason hit a brick wall down the stretch. I would bet that won’t happen again on this veteran of a squad.

If they want to do something special Aeron Stevens has to take the step forward that most people thought he would take last year. Ended up with very similar numbers to his freshman season. I would bet on the step forward happening.

[Stanger86]

They should be near or at the top of the league again. Should have won it outright comfortably last year and been the 2 or 3 seed in the regional but for some reason hit a brick wall down the stretch. I would bet that won’t happen again on this veteran of a squad.

If they want to do something special Aeron Stevens has to take the step forward that most people thought he would take last year. Ended up with very similar numbers to his freshman season. I would bet on the step forward happening.

I tend to agree. I don't know if this team can match the 28-win mark set by the 2000-01, 2008-09, and 2016-17 teams, but I think they have the potential to be close.

[MrMustang]

if we are going to stay at the top and if we are going to take the next step neeed to be tougher the last 5 minutes and close games. If we do that, we will be very good

[Stanger86]

[MrMustang]

curious to see if Brayson Boike plays right away. Going to be some compeition for spots

[Stanger86]

curious to see if Brayson Boike plays right away. Going to be some compeition for spots

I think I'd be surprised if he doesn't, honestly.

[Stanger86]

Hey laker, Sara Kottke is an assistant coach for the SMSU women's basketball program this winter

[vikingfaithful]

curious to see if Brayson Boike plays right away. Going to be some compeition for spots

Boike was a big target of Augustana the last 2 years. Mustangs won that battle.

[MrAugustana]

Boike was a big target of Augustana the last 2 years. Mustangs won that battle.

That's possible, but I also wouldn't be shocked if that target shifted after Coach Schilling took the reins and he went after different HS recruits/transfers/etc.

Either way, he certainly is a high-level recruit in our league with a lot of upside. He'll look great in Jackrabbit blue and yellow in 2027 or 2028. :)

[Stanger86]

That's possible, but I also wouldn't be shocked if that target shifted after Coach Schilling took the reins and he went after different HS recruits/transfers/etc.

He was re-offered by Cody after the coaching change, but yeah it's a decent point.

[MrAugustana]

He was re-offered by Cody after the coaching change, but yeah it's a decent point.

I had actually blanked on that.

Regardless, my earlier point still stands: he looks like he'll be a great Summit League player a few years from now. 😉

[MrMustang]

hoops should be good

[Stanger86]

Nice commit for the Mustangs, getting a big man commit from Fairmont who had offers from UMary and USF.

Fun fact: His mother is in the Augustana Hall of Fame https://goaugie.com/honors/hall-of-f...unkermeier/225

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[SW_Mustang]

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