COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado — In the 2025-26 Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Adams State Grizzlies are picked to finish ninth out of fifteen teams. The Grizzlies received 86 points after they went 12-16(7-13 RMAC) and finished in twelfth place in the 2024-25 season.
With the Grizzlies entering Coach Tripp's third full year at the helm for the Grizzlies, they will look to continue to make strides in the right direction after Coach Tripp has been able to help Adams State improve each of the past two years. Along with the continued leadership and success of Coach Tripp and the rest of his staff, the Grizzlies return multiple starters and key role players from the 2024-25 season that will hopefully help them make the RMAC tournament for the first time under Coach Tripp's leadership.
Looking at the rest of the conference in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, leading the way, receiving the most points was Black Hills State. Black Hills State received a total of 183 points, which included 10 first-place votes, 2 second-place votes, and 1 third-place vote. Following Black Hills were the 2024-25 regular season champions, Colorado School of Mines, who received 167 votes. Colorado School of Mines received 3 first-place votes, 6 second-place votes, and 2 third-place votes to collect their 167 points. Rounding out the top five in the conference, you have Colorado Mesa in third place with 158 points, UCCS in fourth place with 144 points, and Fort Lewis in fifth with 143 points.
As far as the rest of the conference, you have MSU Denber in sixth with 137 points, Chadron State in seventh with 102 points, Colorado Christian in eighth with 90 points, Adams State in ninth with 86 points, Westminster in tenth with 80 points, New Mexico Highlands in eleventh with 74 points, CSU Pueblo in twelfth with 68 points, Western Colorado in thirteenth with 56 points, Regis in fourteenth with 46 points, and South Dakota Mines rounding out the conference in fifteenth place with 41 points.
With the Grizzlies being selected to finish ninth in the conference they will look to surpass expectations making into the top 8 which would give them the opportunity to compete in the RMAC tournament at the end of the year. With the returners and new pieces added to the program the Grizzlies have nothing but potential to have a breakout season giving them their first playoff berth under Coach Tripp's leadership.
Looking towards the start of the season for the Adams State Men's Basketball team, they will open up their season on Friday, November 14th, against Texas Permian Basin. This will be one of two games they will play in Texas before they head back home to play their home opener against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday, November 18th. The Grizzlies' home opener will be a great opportunity to come out and support the Grizzlies as they embark on their journey to a successful season in the 2025-26 campaign.
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
2025-26 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll
1. Black Hills State - 183
2. Colorado School of Mines - 167
3. Colorado Mesa - 158
4. UCCS - 144
5. Fort Lewis - 143
6. MSU Denver - 137
7. Chadron State - 102
8. Colorado Christian - 90
9. Adams State - 86
10. Westminster - 80
11. New Mexico Highlands - 74
12. CSU Pueblo - 68
13. Western Colorado - 56
14. Regis - 46
15. South Dakota Mines - 41
