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Otters Return To Action In National Rankings

Otters receiving votes in NCAA Top 25 for first time ever

December 16, 2025

By: Kevin Gilmore (@OtterKevin)
SEASIDE, Calif. — Cal State Monterey Bay men's basketball returns to action this weekend, navigating its way into the national conversation for the first time in program history. CSUMB is receiving votes in the National Association of Basketball coaches (NABC) for the first time since moving to the NCAA Division II level in 2004.

CSUMB will take that notoriety out for a final spin in 2025 by hosting Chico State (Friday) and Cal Poly Humboldt (Sunday) for its final games of the calendar year. Tip-off will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Sunday, with both games serving as the nightcaps of men's/women's doubleheader action.
 
The Otters are off to their best-ever start at 7–1 (2–0 CCAA), matching the 8-game start of the 2008-09 squad. A win Friday would but them at 8–1 overall and 3–0 in CCAA play for the first time ever.

CSUMB's success in the early going has come thanks to an exciting, high-octane offense that leads the league in scoring (83.6 points per game) and rebounding (42.4 rpg). Having both the CCAA's leading scorer in Michael Mora (18.9 ppg) and No. 2 scorer in Jaden Tengan (16.1 ppg) certainly helps with the offense part of the equation.

Otter offensive success has come from long range. CSUMB enters the week ranked No. 10 in NCAA 3-pointing shooting, converting at 41.5 percent. The Otters are on pace to make 270 3-pointers this season, a mark that would eclipse the school record of 256 set in 2020.

On the rebounding side, the Otters rank No. 10 nationally in rebounding margin at +11.5 rebounds per game. They lead the CCAA in both total rebounds (42.4 rpg) and rebounding margin.

Mora and Mezziah Oakman are tied for sixth in the CCAA at 7.3 rebounds per game. Chol Deng (11th, 6.4 rpg) and Joey Bilello (19th, 5.4 rpg) also rank in the Top 20.


 
GO OTTERS!





 
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