A new core of players will be looked to energize the MRU men's basketball season as they are set to tip off the new campaign.

Tickets
Watch the Cougars live on Kenyon Court by purchasing your tickets here. MRU students and employees receive free tickets to all home games.

Cougars Men's Basketball on Canada West TV
Every Men's basketball game will be available live and on demand this season exclusively on Canada West TV – the official streaming home of the conference. To purchase your pass, click here. 

2025-26 CW Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll:
Team - Points (First-place votes)

1. Victoria Vikes - 254 (14)
2. Manitoba Bisons - 235 (2)
3. Winnipeg Wesmen - 219 (1) ?
4. UBC Thunderbirds - 218
5. Calgary Dinos - 186
6. Alberta Golden Bears - 183
7. Trinity Western Spartans - 158
8. Fraser Valley Cascades - 149
9. Mount Royal Cougars - 137
10. Lethbridge Pronghorns - 99
11. Saskatchewan Huskies - 94
12. Regina Cougars - 88
13. Brandon Bobcats - 81
14. Thompson Rivers WolfPack - 80
15. UNBC Timberwolves - 57
16. UBCO Heat - 51
17. MacEwan Griffins - 23

2024-25 CW Regular Season Record:
10-10

2024-25 CW Regular Season Division Placement:
6th, Prairie Division 

2024-25 Post-Season Performance: 
0-1, Lost Canada West Play-in to University of Winnipeg 86-74

2025-26 Season Opener
Friday, October 24 at Alberta Golden Bears

2025-26 Home Opener
Friday, October 31 vs Saskatchewan Huskies

Head Coach / # season / Career CW reg. season record:
Josh Mullen / 2nd season / 10-10

2024-25 CW regular season ranks: Offence
10th in Points (1479)
10th in Points per Game (74.0)
10th in FG Made per Game (27.4)
2nd in FG Attempts per Game (68.8)
15th in FG Percentage (39.8%)
14th in 3PT Made per Game (6.8)
10th in 3PT Attempts per Game (23.8)
15th in 3PT Percentage (28.8%)
9th in FT Made per Game (12.3)
10th in FT Attempts per Game (17.9)
10th in FT Percentage (68.7%)
5th in Offensive Rebounds per Game (12.8)
13th in Assists per Game (12.8)
5th in Turnovers per Game (15.2)
9th in Offensive Efficiency (.951)
7th in Net Efficiency (-.029)
10th in Field Goals Made/Attempts (548/1377)
14th in 3PT Made/Attempts (137/475)
9th in Free Throws Made/Attempts (246/358)


2024-25 CW regular season ranks: Defence
10th in Defensive Rebounds per Game (28.0)
6th in Total Rebounds per Game (40.8)
11th in Rebound Margin per Game (-1.1)
6th in Steals per Game (8.7)
10th in Blocks per Game (2.6)
5th in Personal Fouls per Game (16.1)
7th in Points per Game Allowed (76.0)

2024-25 CW regular season leader: Total points (per game) (Returning)
193 (9.7) – Sam Barnie

2024-25 regular season leader: Total assists (per game) (Returning)
61 (3.8) – Kole Scott

2024-25 CW regular season leader: Total rebounds (per game) (Returning)
117 (5.6) – Jean-Nelson Pigoue

2024-25 CW regular season leader: Total field goals made/attempted (Returning)
38/74 (.514) – Jean-Nelson Pigoue

2024-25 CW regular season leader: Total three-pointers made/attempted (Returning)
24/95 (.253) – Avnoor Bhullar 

2024-25 CW regular season leader: Total free throws made/attempted (Returning)
24/30 (.800) – Sam Barnie

2024-25 CW regular season leader: Total steals (per game) (Returning)
25 (1.6) – Kole Scott

2024-25 CW regular season leader: Total blocks (per game) (Returning)
13 (0.7) – Kuach Gajak

2024-25 CW regular season leader: Total minutes (per game) (Returning)
580 (29.0) – Sam Barnie 

Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team)
Jacob McLellan / Guard / First Year / Calgary, AB / Team Alberta
Tag Layton / Guard / Second Year / Calgary, AB / University of Lethbridge
Faruq Balarabe / Forward / Second Year / London, ENG / Lake Superior State University
Cruz Layton / Guard / First Year / Calgary, AB / Centennial High School
Desmond Ducheck / Guard / First Year / Summerland, BC / Northern Bounce
Jose Miguel Alba Gabaldon / Guard / First Year / Seville, ESP / Real Betis Baloncesto & Tercera FEB

Key Departures (name / position / hometown / years with program)
Keivonte Watts / Guard / Utica, MS / 3
Daniel Mulder / Forward / Strathmore, AB / 4
Ijah Nelson / Guard / Calgary, AB / 3
Scott Duncan / Guard / Calgary, AB / 4
Saleem Hnedi / Guard / Calgary, AB / 2
Ben Gilbert / Guard / Calgary, AB / 2
Dray Walburger / Guard / Lethbridge, AB / 1

Key performer: Sam Barnie
Returning to Mount Royal for his fourth season, Sam Barnie has been one of the most underrated players on the team during his tenure. Barnie is known to be a threat from beyond the arc, but can also put the ball on the ground and use his 6'6" frame to get to the rim. 

As the returning leader in minutes played, Barnie will likely see a lot of playing time this season and could be used in multiple scenarios. His ability to provide court spacing does not go unrecognized in a way of helping his teammates flourish on offence. A career 34% three-point shooter, Barnie is poised to continue to succeed at Kenyon Court.

Season Preview
The 2025-26 season marks the second season with Josh Mullen as head coach of the program, as they continue to transition into their new era. With the departure of high-scoring guard Keivonte Watts, a new core of players will be tasked with carrying the load. The Cougars have hopes of returning to the playoffs and building on last season's 10-10 record.

While a significant part of their team from last year won't be returning, Mullen is excited for what his young group can accomplish.

We have an exciting group of young players. Eight of our 12 players are in their first or second years, with four key vets entering their fourth year of eligibility. In the preseason, the team has established an identity as a strong defensive team that likes to play in the open court. The team is looking to build off last season's successes and learn from our failures to continue climbing the standings in the CW," said Mullen.

Having established a strong defensive mindset in preseason, the Cougars must also focus on what they can achieve on the offensive side of the ball. Last season, Mount Royal struggled shooting from the field, ranking 15th in three-point percentage and field goal percentage. They'll hope new additions can help spark their offence.

Second-year players Kuach Gajak and Jean-Nelson Pigoue showed a ton of potential last season and will be tasked with producing even more with the Cougars in 2025-26.

Fourth-year guard Kole Scott will likely see elevated usage with the departure of Keivonte Watts. Scott averaged 7.8 points on 36.1% shooting from the field last season.