CSUN’s men’s basketball team is set to start their season on Nov. 4th and the roster has had massive changes. Seniors are graduating and players are entering the transfer portal, including Larry Hughes II, who was their leading scorer in the 2025-26 season, who transferred to conference rival Sacramento State. The Matadors, led by head coach Andy Newman, who is entering his 4th season, have only 4 returning players.
But that is no reason for the Matadors to panic, as the roster has great talent thanks to the transfer portal and key returners. I will be discussing a potential starting lineup for the Matadors.
Point Guard: Josiah Davis
The 2025-26 Big West player of the year and Big West All-First Team is returning for his fifth year in college. Last season, Davis was the Matadors’ primary floor general, averaging 15.9 points per game,7.3 assists per game, which was the fourth-most in the nation that year. Davis was also a key player who led the Matadors to their first Big West Tournament semifinal in over ten years. Overall, his veteran presence, individual accomplishments and impact on the Matadors are what give him this starting spot with no issues.
Shooting/Point Guard: Naceiar Kirksey
Kirksey is entering his first year with the Matadors and Division I basketball as well. That Division I experience can come to life instantly; Kirksey averaged 17 points and 4.3 assists in the NJCAA Division I conference (JUCO). He also earned second-team All-American in the same conference. Lastly, he made 71 threes; based on the film, it is highly possible, seeing him interchange between the point and the shooting guard, as he seems to have overall great basketball ability that can contribute to the Matadors winning.
Small Forward: BJ Omot.
Omot is also entering his first year as a Matador, but his experience could be the biggest contribution to the team. Omot played for three college teams at the division one level, two of which were Power 4 schools: the University of California and Minnesota. He averaged double digits with these teams and has great shot-blocking ability, which could make CSUN a scary defensive team.
Power forward: Jael Martin.
Martin had limited time at Loyola Marymount University, but since transferring to the Matadors, there could be a potential jump in minutes. According to CSUN athletics, he shot 59% from the field, which could be a major help with the addition of Kirksey’s shooting. Overall, his position could help contribute to an already potential starting lineup.
Center: Emmanuel Stephen.
The seven-footer has also had similar experience as Omot, playing at a deeper Division I level. He spent time at the University of Arizona and UNLV. He had 17 blocks to his total for the season with the Rebels, which is solid, but he could probably raise those numbers up in the Matador rotation.
One thing this potential starting lineup has is a mix of experience, talent and rotational ability. These are purely speculations as the season rapidly approaches, as coach Newman takes care of his team and will ultimately decide who will represent CSUN to start their season, but this is a preview of what the men’s team could see potentially and is a potential preview of what things could look like this season.
The Matadors’ first game tips off on Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. on the road against Wichita State.
