Women’s Basketball
The Concordia-St. Paul women’s basketball team enters the 2025-26 season with momentum and high expectations after being picked second in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll and earning a No. 11 national ranking in the WBCA Preseason Poll. Coming off a historic 29-3 campaign that included NSIC regular season and tournament titles, the Golden Bears return key contributors while preparing to face a challenging conference slate under the league’s restored north-south divisional format. Senior guard Lydia Haack, CSP’s Preseason Player to Watch, leads the way after an All-NSIC season in which she averaged 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while starting all 32 contests. Head Coach Amanda Johnson emphasizes the team’s returning chemistry and the depth that will be relied on to offset the graduation of several starters.
CSP opened the year at the Central Region Showcase with two strong tests against MIAA opponents Fort Hays State and Missouri Western. Against Fort Hays State, the Golden Bears delivered a balanced effort, showcasing improved ball movement and the early-season emergence of players stepping into expanded roles. In the matchup with Missouri Western, CSP demonstrated grit on the defensive end and key contributions from returners such as Lauren Wilson and Emma Mommsen. These early games provided valuable experience and highlighted the team’s versatility as they play two more non-conference games this week against Truman State University and Maryville University before they prepare for NSIC play on Nov. 25. With its blend of returning star power, improved depth, and rising contributors, Concordia aims to defend its conference crown and make a deeper NCAA Tournament push this spring.
To view Golden Bears women’s basketball’s full schedule, please click the following link: https://cspbears.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule
Men’s Basketball
The defending NSIC champions enter the 2025-26 season with momentum and expectations after being picked fourth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll and fifth in the NSIC South Division. Concordia-St. Paul returns eight players from last year’s record-setting 22-9 campaign, including Preseason Player to Watch Ben Kopetzki, who averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists a year ago. Head Coach Matt Fletcher welcomes a blend of experienced transfers and talented underclassmen into a roster that he believes is “hungry, competitive, and ready to take another step.” With a challenging NSIC slate ahead and six league teams receiving preseason national poll recognition, the Golden Bears are set for another run in one of Division II’s toughest conferences.
CSP opened the season with an impressive 2-0 weekend at the NSIC/MIAA Challenge in Hays, Kansas, defeating Nebraska-Kearney 98-92 before rolling past host Fort Hays State 79-68. The Golden Bears showcased their depth and perimeter firepower, hitting 22 total threes across the two games while receiving major lifts from Owen Carlson, who scored 22 and 17 points, and Kopetzki, who posted 21 and 24. Newcomers Sam West and Jaden Wysocki also made immediate impacts as CSP controlled both matchups late. The Golden Bears now turn their attention to their home and conference opener on Nov. 19 against Winona State as they begin the pursuit of back-to-back NSIC titles.
To view Golden Bears men’s basketball’s full schedule, please click the following link: https://cspbears.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule
