USI forecast 9th in OVC

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball team is predicted to place ninth in the Ohio Valley Conference, as voted by the league’s 11 head coaches and athletic communications directors in a poll released today. The Screaming Eagles, who had 67 points and two first-place votes in the OVC poll, also have been picked ninth by Blue Ribbon Magazine.

The Eagles are entering their fourth season as an NCAA Division I program and will be NCAA Tournament eligible this season. USI was 10-20 overall in 2024-25, 5-15 in the OVC. USI also advanced to the OVC post-season for the third-straight year.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock is predicted to win the conference, earning 188 points and 12 first-place votes. Southeast Missouri State University followed with 177 points and six first-place votes, while Southern Illinois University Edwardsville rounded out the top three with 163 points and one first-place vote.

New Screaming Eagles – senior guard Trey Thomas and senior guard Ismail Habib – were named OVC Players to watch for this season.

Thomas arrives at USI after playing 2024-25 at Bethune-Cookman University. The 2024-25 first-team All-SWAC performer appeared in 33 games, making 29 starts, for the Wildcats, averaging 16.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.

Thomas started his collegiate career at Hampton College in 2022-23, playing two seasons for the Pirates. He appeared in 28 games over two seasons, averaging 5.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.

Habib transferred to USI after spending the last two seasons at Portland State University. He appeared in 35 games for the Vikings over the last two seasons, averaging 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per contest.

Last year, Habib averaged 8.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in seven contests and one start during 2024-25. He posted a two-year best 9.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 28 games, making 25 starts in 2023-24.

USI starts the 2025-26 regular season November 5 when the Eagles visit Butler University and opens the home schedule November 7 when they host Virginia Military Institute.

2025-26 OVC Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish    
(Selected by OVC Head Basketball Coaches and Communication Directors)
Order of Finish (1st Place Vote)  Points

1.	Little Rock (12)	188
2.	Southeast Missouri (6)	177
3.	SIU Edwardsville (1)	163
4.	Tennessee State (1)	135
5.	Lindenwood	100
	Morehead State	100
7.	Tennessee Tech	80
8.	UT Martin	79
9.	Southern Indiana (2)	67
10.	Eastern Illinois	63
11.	Western Illinois	57