Pilots Return to NAIA Top 25 at No. 25

SHREVEPORT, La. – The LSU Shreveport men's basketball team returned to the national spotlight this week, checking in at No. 25 in the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll during the 2025–26 season.

LSUS is off to an 8-3 overall start and remains perfect in Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) play at 5-0, having won five of its last six games. The Pilots most recently picked up a statement victory with a 94-88 road win over Florida Memorial University.

The Pilots' climb back into the Top 25 has been powered by tough, physical defense and a fast-paced, efficient offensive attack. LSUS is led by newcomer Khi Wallace and veteran Hayden Brittingham, who have anchored the team on both ends of the floor.

Wallace leads the Pilots in scoring at 18.5 points per game, while Brittingham follows closely at 17.2 points per game. Both players have been forces in the paint, as Brittingham leads the team with 9.9 rebounds per game and Wallace is right behind at 9.8 rebounds per contest.

Depth has been a difference-maker for LSUS this season. Newcomers Emareyon McDonald and Thaddeus Johnson have made immediate impacts, ranking third and fourth on the team in scoring. McDonald is averaging 15.3 points per game, while Johnson contributes 11.3 points per game. Running the offense, Alexzaye Johnson has kept the Pilots moving, averaging 4.6 assists per game and helping maintain the team's up-tempo style.

LSUS's return to the Top 25 comes after the Pilots received votes in the Nov. 12 NAIA Coaches Poll before briefly falling out of the rankings in the Nov. 26 poll, setting the stage for this week's re-entry at No. 25.

The Pilots will be back in action on Thursday, Dec. 18, when they host the University of the Southwest at The Dock. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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