CORVALLIS, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University was picked sixth in the 2024-25 Cascade Collegiate Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Poll, released Wednesday morning. The Mountaineers earned 89 points as they gear up for a new season.

College of Idaho topped the poll with 140 points and received nine first-place votes, Oregon Tech following closely with 134 points and three first-place votes, while Lewis-Clark State College rounded out the top three with 115 points. 

Eastern Oregon looks to build upon last year's campaign, which ended with an 11-11 conference record and a 12-17 overall mark. Leading the way is returning first-team all-conference selection Garrett Hawkes, who averaged 16.9 points per game last season and remains a key two-way force for EOU.

The Mountaineers also bring back key returners such as Brennen Newsom, Jaden Hansen, and Malachi Afework, adding valuable experience and depth to the roster. Newsom contributed 6.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, shooting an impressive 63% from the field. Hansen, who started 18 games last season, averaged 7.8 points per game while leading the team in assists. Afework, who added 10.9 points per contest, returns after a season-ending injury sidelined him in the second half of last year.

Eastern Oregon has also bolstered their lineup with the addition of several impactful transfers. TJ Doman (Alaska Fairbanks), Trent Rogers (Carroll), and James Bodily (Idaho State) are expected to make immediate contributions, complementing a promising group of four new freshmen.

The Mounties will open the season at the Carroll College Classic in Helena, Montana, where the team will face Carroll College and MSU-Northern in a two-day event.

2024-25 CCC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll