OXFORD, Ohio. - The Indiana University Kokomo men's basketball team is projected to finish second in the River States Conference, according to the 2025 RSC Preseason Coaches' Poll released by the league office on Tuesday.

IU Kokomo earned 103 total points and two first-place votes, securing second place in the poll—just eight points behind first-place Rio Grande. The RedStorm received six of the 12 first-place votes, while Shawnee State came in third with 98 points and three first-place votes. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods received the remaining first-place vote.

The Cougars, led by eighth-year head coach Eric Echelbarger, enter the 2025-2026 season riding the momentum of a strong 2024-2025 campaign, finishing with an overall record of 21-9 and an 11-5 mark in River States Conference play. With that solid foundation, Echelbarger and his team are poised to challenge for the top spot in the RSC and aim to secure another trip to the NAIA Tournament in the upcoming season.

Despite the departure of Alice Lloyd from the River States Conference, there are 12 teams set to compete once again this fall, as first-year member school Kentucky Christian joins the fray.

To view the River States Conference release in full, click HERE.

2025-26 RSC PRESEASON MEN's BASKETBALL COACHES' POLL
1. Rio Grande (111 points, 6 first place votes)
2. IU Kokomo (103 points, 2 first place votes)
3. Shawnee State (98 points, 3 first place votes)
4. IU East (88 points)
5. IU Southeast (87 points)
6. St. Mary-of-the-Woods (68 points, 1 first place vote)
7. WVU Tech (63 points)
8. Midway (60 points)
9. Brescia (41 points)
10. Oakland City (38 points)
11. Kentucky Christian (19 points)
12. IU Columbus (16 points)

For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.