Texas State Basketball Faces 100th Ranked Pac-12 Debut

Texas State men's basketball enters the 2026-27 season as the 100th-ranked team in the KenPom preseason rankings. This places the Bobcats in the Pac-12, a conference that currently features seven teams within the national top 100. The move represents the most difficult scheduling environment in the program's history.

Head coach Terrence Johnson described the transition as a test he welcomes. Speaking at media day in late October, Johnson stated, "It's going to be a test, but that's what you want." The Bobcats leave a Sun Belt conference that had not sent multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament in more than a decade. By comparison, the highest-ranked Sun Belt team, James Madison, sits at 151st in KenPom's rankings.

The Pac-12 projects to be the strongest mid-major conference in the country. Four teams in the conference rank in the top 75, while seven fall within the top 100. Texas State, which had the lowest total budget among Pac-12 teams in 2025, relies on returning veterans and new transfers to compete. The core group includes forward DJ Hall, guards Kaden Gumbs and Mark Drone, and forward Robert Fields.

To address the talent gap, the Bobcats added five transfers. These include Omaha forward Paul Djobet, Southern Illinois guard Quel'Ron House, UNC Greensboro guard KJ Younger, Boston College guard Caleb Steger, and Cal State Bakersfield forward Ron Jessamy. House and Younger both averaged more than 15 points at their previous schools. Djobet, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward, provides size on the wing.

Johnson noted that Younger, House, and Djobet have the statistical potential to influence games quickly. He said, "Those three guys in particular, from a number standpoint, I think have a chance to impact winning at a high clip." The roster also includes four freshmen: Randy Livingston Jr., Kole Grandison, David Abisogun, and King Sanders. Johnson indicated that the experienced veterans make it difficult for rookies to secure immediate rotation spots.

DJ Hall enters his sophomore year after winning the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year award. He averaged 15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists last season. However, opponents now have a full year of film to study his habits. Hall shot 35.3% from beyond the arc on 17 attempts and faced challenges guarding quicker forwards. Johnson said, "DJ Hall is going to go up to the very top of the scouting board now."

The Pac-12 announced that 94% of its conference games will air on national television. This exposure offers visibility for a team that has not made the NCAA Tournament since 1997. Johnson focused on maintaining the team's identity regardless of the opponent's strength. He concluded, "Whether or not we're zigging or they're zagging, I think the best thing is that we're being who we are."