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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Clayton Moore
Todd Gottula

Men's Basketball

UNK Picked 11th in Both Preseason Polls

Men's Basketball

UNK Picked 11th in Both Preseason Polls

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney men's basketball team was picked 11th in both the coaches and media in the 2026-27 MIAA preseason polls.

The polls were released this morning (Oct. 6) as part of "Media Day", presented by Seigfreid Bingham, at the College Basketball Experience (CBC) in Kansas City. Head coach Marty Levinson spoke at 10:15 a.m. with former Loper alum Brenda VanLengen serving as emcee of the event.

UNK went 13-17 (6-13 MIAA) last season, increasing its win total from the year prior and going 8-5 at home. Among those returning are upperclassmen DJ Jamerson (Cibolo, Texas) and Clayton Moore (Mullen) with a seven-player newcomer class including guard Nate Kelley (Scottsbluff).

Washburn, two-time defending league champs, is the overwhelming favorite with Central Missouri and Rogers State being picked second. UNK tallied 43 points from the coaches and 101 in the media rankings. The season begins Nov. 9 at Wayne State with the home opener coming Nov. 22 against Regis .
 
PRESEASON COACHES POLL  PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Washburn [12] – 168 points 1. Washburn [30] – 392 points
2. Central Missouri [1] – 154 2. Rogers State – 326
3. Missouri Western – 123 3. Central Missouri – 322
4. Missouri Southern [1] – 120 4. Missouri Western – 293
5. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 114 5. Fort Hays State – 253
6. Rogers State – 111 6. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 252
7. Pittsburg State – 104 7. Missouri Southern – 241
8. Fort Hays State – 103 8. Pittsburg State – 206
9. Central Oklahoma – 90 9. Central Oklahoma – 193
10. Northwest Missouri – 59  10. Northwest Missouri – 155
11. Nebraska Kearney – 43  11. Nebraska Kearney – 101
12. Emporia State – 36 12. Northeastern State – 86 
13. Northeastern State – 35  13. Emporia State – 79
14. Newman – 14  14. Newman – 41
[#] – First Place Votes
 
 
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Players Mentioned

DJ Jamerson

#5 DJ Jamerson

F
6' 7"
Fifth Year
Clayton Moore

#24 Clayton Moore

G/F
6' 4"
4th Year
Nate Kelley

#2 Nate Kelley

G
6' 0"
1st Year

Players Mentioned

DJ Jamerson

#5 DJ Jamerson

6' 7"
Fifth Year
F
Clayton Moore

#24 Clayton Moore

6' 4"
4th Year
G/F
Nate Kelley

#2 Nate Kelley

6' 0"
1st Year
G