Statesmen hoops looking to bounce back after tough season last year

The Delta State University men’s basketball team enters the 2026-27 season looking to rebound and climb the Gulf South Conference standings under longtime head coach Mike Nienaber.

Last Season Recap

In 2025-26 the Statesmen finished 11-17 overall and 8-14 in GSC play. They earned the No. 8 seed in the conference tournament before falling in the quarterfinals to top-seeded West Alabama. The team showed flashes of competitiveness at home but struggled on the road and with consistency against the league’s stronger squads.

Preseason Outlook

Delta State was picked tied for seventh in the 2026 GSC Preseason Coaches’ Poll (37 points), level with Mississippi Christian. West Alabama was the clear favorite, followed closely by UAH.

Two newcomers earned recognition on the GSC Preseason Newcomers to Watch list:

  • Grant Guess, a freshman forward from Archbishop Alter (Ohio), who averaged 11.1 points per game as a senior and earned All-State honorable mention.
  • Ahmed Ibrahim, a junior forward transferring from Coahoma Community College, where he averaged 10.0 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds per game.

Coaching and Roster Notes

Mike Nienaber returns for another season, bringing continuity and experience to the program. The roster features a mix of returning experience (including guards such as Kolby Horace and Bryce Clayton) and new talent, particularly in the frontcourt with Guess and Ibrahim. The Statesmen will rely on improved rebounding, perimeter shooting, and depth to compete more consistently in a competitive GSC.

Schedule Snapshot

The season opens on the road Monday, November 9, at Truman State in Kirksville, Missouri (7:00 p.m. CT). Other early non-conference games include a crossover event in Memphis against Spring Hill and LeMoyne-Owen (November 13-14), a trip to Ouachita Baptist (November 19), and home dates against Truman State (November 21) and Quincy (November 24).

Gulf South Conference play begins Thursday, December 3, with a home game against Christian Brothers at Walter Sillers Coliseum. The league slate features the usual tough slate of West Alabama, UAH, Valdosta State, Montevallo, and others, with a balanced mix of home and road contests through early March.

Bottom Line

Delta State is in a rebuilding-and-reloading phase after a sub-.500 campaign. The addition of skilled newcomers, returning experience in the backcourt, and Nienaber’s steady leadership give the Statesmen a foundation to improve their standing in the GSC. Success will hinge on early chemistry, defensive improvement, and winning the close games that slipped away last season. Fans can expect a competitive group ready to battle in Walter Sillers Coliseum and on the road as the 2026-27 campaign gets underway.