The Western Colorado men’s basketball team dropped its season opener against Colorado College in Colorado Springs last Friday, 92-94 in overtime. However, the team enters the 2025–26 season looking to grow and surprise within the competitive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
The Mountaineers were projected to finish 13th in the RMAC preseason poll, signaling that many around the league view them as a program still in rebuilding mode. However, there are encouraging signs of progress and potential on this year’s roster. Veteran guard Christian Still returns as the team’s leader, bringing valuable experience and consistency to a group that features several new faces.
Western has bolstered its frontcourt with international size and talent, adding freshmen Adam Massarsch from Sweden, David Shelia from Georgia, and Joanis Koulisianis from the Czech Republic. The trio gives the Mountaineers a stronger inside presence than in recent years and reflects the program’s growing recruiting reach.
While this youth movement provides excitement for the future, it also brings challenges. Inexperience and early-season adjustments will be key hurdles as Western navigates the physical, fast-paced RMAC schedule.
Developing chemistry between the veterans and newcomers will take time, and the team’s ability to defend, rebound and take care of the ball will determine how competitive they can be. Still’s leadership in the backcourt will be crucial in setting the tone and guiding the freshmen through the grind of conference play.
Western Colorado’s mix of returning leadership and promising newcomers positions them to take meaningful steps forward and potentially surprise a few RMAC opponents along the way.
The Mountaineers head to San Angelo, Texas to take on Angelo State on Fri. Nov. 14 at 11am.
(Gregg Petcoff is assistant director of athletics for communications at Western Colorado University.)
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