NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Caldwell University men's basketball, under the direction of fourth-year Head Coach Dean Johnson, has been selected to finish tied for fourth in the North Division in the preseason poll of Central Atlantic Athletic Conference (CACC) coaches, the league announced today.

Johnson's Cougars return 12 letterwinners, including three starters, and welcome one transfer and five freshman to the 2025-26 squad. 

Caldwell (18-11 overall, 9-7 in CACC play last year) is led by returning starters in senior guard Melvin Evans (Bronx, N.Y.), senior forward DeAngelo Horn (Detroit) and junior guard Jaiden Williams (New York) . Holdovers who saw significant time last year include graduate guard Kirk Parsons (Newark, N.J.), senior forward Moussa Ngom (Dakar, Senegal), junior guard Isaiah Philbert (Bronx, N.Y.), sophomore guard Tristan Rogers (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and sophomore guard Jaryn Bull (Bronx, N.Y.).

The Cougars open with an exhibition game at Division I Monmouth  University on Nov. 4, then tip off the regular season by hosting the CACC/NE10 Conference Challenge at the Newman Center, vs. Southern New Hampshire on Nov. 14 and Bentley on Nov. 15.

Formerly divided into North and South divisions, the CACC will function as a single standings table in 2025-26, with a double round-robin schedule through the season. The top eight teams will advance to the CACC Tournament, with the top four hosting first round games. 

Caldwell University's Newman Center will serve as host site for the Championship Semifinals and Finals, March 7-8.

2025-26 CACC MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Dominican (5), 89 pts.
2. Jefferson, 84
3. Post (1), 76
4. Bridgeport (2), 69
5. Caldwell (2), 63
6. Chestnut Hill, 49
    Wilmington (1), 49
8. Felician, 45
9. Goldey-Beacom, 40
10. Georgian Court, 21
11. Holy Family, 20

() - First-Place Votes