Link to GSC preseason release

JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University men's basketball team was picked to finish sixth in the 2025-26 Gulf South Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll. Union has made seven straight trips to the GSC Tournament and is looking to make it eight in 2025-26. 

The Bulldogs have three returning players from last season. Juniors Devaki Garr and Knoah Carver, along with sophomore Jack Shackelford return. Garr brings 7.2 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game.  He also made 38 three-pointers last season. Shackelford averaged 3.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and had five blocked shots while shooting 54 percent from the field. Carver played in 18 games, averaging 2.3 points per game. 

Eleven newcomers line the roster, including graduate transfer Sam Youngblood (Auburn Montgomery). Mason McBride (Houston Christian) and Terrence Ringo, Jr. (Kentucky Wesleyan) make up the senior transfer group. One junior transfer, Will Lovings-Watts (James Madison), and one sophomore transfer, Jamiir Allen (Saint Cloud State), join the Union roster. The freshman class has five players making their college debut, including Casey Williams (Murrfreesboro, Tenn.), JaDyn Lee (Munford, Tenn.), Patrick McConnell (Fairview, Tenn.), Liam McConnell (Belfast, Maine), and Ty Clark (Andrews, N.C.). 

Union opens its season November 15 and 16 in the South Region Crossover Classic hosted by Rollins College. Union plays Lynn at 3 p.m. November 15 and Rollins at 4 p.m. November 16. Union will continue its non-conference schedule with games against King, Maryville, Fisk, and Blue Mountain. Union opens GSC play December 4 at Delta State. 

In the GSC preseason poll, Union sits just outside the top-5 which includes Montevallo in first, UAH second, Valdosta State third, West Alabama four, and Lee fifth. Nationally, the GSC has three teams ranked, including UAH at No. 6, while Valdosta State and Montevallo are receiving votes. 

-UNION-