Emporia State embraces underdog mentality for 2025-26 season

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KSNT) – Emporia State men’s basketball is looking to prove the doubters wrong in the upcoming season.

The Hornets were tabbed No. 9 in the MIAA Media Poll and No. 10 in the Coaches Poll.

“We’re going to use where they picked us as motivation,” Emporia State head coach Tom Billeter told 27 Sports. “That’s some of the best fire that you can have going into a season.”

Billeter is in his second season with the program, finishing with a 11-18 record (8-11 MIAA) last season. 

He’s a two-time National Coach of the Year—leading Division II Augustana to nine NCAA Tournaments—won three regular season NSIC Championships and won two NSIC Tournament Championships.

“We got to recruit a little bit more this year and get to know our guys a little better and I feel like we’re very balanced,” Billeter told 27 Sports. “I feel like we can now establish our culture with a more balanced roster throughout.”

Along with Billeter, junior forward Dallas Bear wrapped up his first season with the Hornets last season. 

Bear followed Billeter to Emporia State after spending his freshman year at Augustana. He notes how the Hornets will embrace the underdog mentality.

“There’s days where you don’t feel like practicing and this will only add fuel to the fire,” Bear said. “We have goals and we want to beat that preseason ranking.”

The Hornets will open the season Nov. 14-15 at the Hillyard Tip-Off Classic in St. Joseph, Missouri. 

Emporia State will play Wayne State College on Nov. 14 followed by St. Cloud State on Nov. 15.

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