Omaha Maverick Basketball 2024-2025

[Coyote]

Mavericks Sign Another Top JUCO Player in Khamani Cooper

The Omaha Men's Basketball Team has signed its fifth player of the off-season, bringing in top JUCO transfer Khamani Cooper. Originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Cooper is a 6'4'' 189 pound guard and is coming off an impressive freshman season at Connors State. He played a major role in leading the No. 19 Cowboys to a 34-3 record and a trip to the 2024 NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Semifinals. Playing in all 37 games and starting 32 last season, Cooper was elite from the stripe and behind the arc, owning an 82.8 FT% and 40.1 3-PT FG%, while also shooting 47.9% from the field. He averaged 12.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, and 2.6 apg as well. Overall, Cooper totaled 465 points, 105 rebounds, and 97 assists in his rookie season.

[Coyote]

Mavericks Add Lindenwood's Isaac Ondekane

The Omaha Men's Basketball Team picked up its sixth player of the offseason and its third Division I transfer as senior Isaac Ondekane is joining the Mavericks from Lindenwood. A 6'8'' 275 pound center from Kinshasa, Congo, Isaac began his collegiate career with the Butler Grizzlies, helping them to the Region VI Tournament Semifinals as a freshman and a Region VI title and a trip to the NJCAA DI Men's Basketball Championship as a sophomore. A highly efficient scorer in the paint, he posted a 59.1 FG% and 543 points in two years with the Grizzlies, including a 63.8% mark in his second season. He also averaged 5.5 rpg, pulled down 348 boards, and recorded 33 blocks.

[iamjacobm]

Not every day Mavs basketball is on TV. Up on UMKC on CBS Sports Network at half.

[OmahaRedWing]

UNO wins 77-58

OMAHA, Neb. - In the first ever nationally broadcasted game hosted in Baxter Arena, the Mavericks faced the No. 1 ranked team in the Summit League Preseason Poll and kept their record perfect in 2025 as they took down a Kansas City 77-58.

Omaha is now one of just two undefeated Summit League teams left in conference play along with St. Thomas at 3-0, as well as getting back to .500 for the first time since November 14 at 9-9. As for the Roos, they suffer their first conference loss to drop to 2-1 while moving to 10-8 overall. This is the first time since the 2019-20 season that the Mavericks have started conference play 3-0 and is tied for the second longest streak behind the 2015-16 squad's 4-0 start.

https://omavs.com/news/2025/1/8/mens-ba ... eated.aspx

[Brad]

8 straight wins for the Mavs and now in 1st place in the Summit!

[Big E]

First NCAA tourney win:

Nebraska or Omaha....?

Not sure I'm actually joking.

[skinzfan23]

First NCAA tourney win:

Nebraska or Omaha....?

Not sure I'm actually joking.

That is awesome. The win vs St Thomas was a huge one. Although UNO hasn't fared well against better competition this year, so that might be a challenge to win a NCAA tournament game. They did hang with MN though and only lost by 4, but MN is one of the worst teams in the Big 10.

I would love a UNO tournament win though!

[omaha79]

First NCAA tourney win:

Nebraska or Omaha....?

Not sure I'm actually joking.

That is awesome. The win vs St Thomas was a huge one. Although UNO hasn't fared well against better competition this year, so that might be a challenge to win a NCAA tournament game. They did hang with MN though and only lost by 4, but MN is one of the worst teams in the Big 10.

I would love a UNO tournament win though!

Technically, if UNO ever ended up in a 16 vs. 16 opening round matchup, that counts as a tournament win. And, if that ever happened, I would certainly count it and not care what anyone else said.

UNO has a long way to go to make the tournament though. It's a one bid league and even if they win the regular season championship, the Summit Tournament often ends up with tons of upsets in the first and second rounds.

[omaha79]

UNO has a really fun team this year. They are definitely worth checking out. They are way more athletic than prior years.

In the preseason, i was worried. How would they replace Fidlers production, but honestly, and nothing against Frankie, it might have been addition by subtraction. Would I love to have him on this team? absolutely, but this team needed to learn to actually be a team. The last couple of years, it was just guys standing around and waiting to see what Frankie would do. I think him leaving, and hearing they'd be terrible kind of put a chip on their shoulders.

[iamjacobm]

First NCAA tourney win:

Nebraska or Omaha....?

Not sure I'm actually joking.

That is awesome. The win vs St Thomas was a huge one. Although UNO hasn't fared well against better competition this year, so that might be a challenge to win a NCAA tournament game. They did hang with MN though and only lost by 4, but MN is one of the worst teams in the Big 10.

I would love a UNO tournament win though!

Technically, if UNO ever ended up in a 16 vs. 16 opening round matchup, that counts as a tournament win. And, if that ever happened, I would certainly count it and not care what anyone else said.

UNO has a long way to go to make the tournament though. It's a one bid league and even if they win the regular season championship, the Summit Tournament often ends up with tons of upsets in the first and second rounds.

I am pretty sure St. Thomas is still ineligible for the tourney. Idk how the summit would half if say UNO won the regular season and the Tommies won the tournament if they would give the auto bid to Omaha

The Mavs also have a tough stretch in Feb with 3 road games in one week against NDSU, St Thomas and UMKC. Great start but lots of work to do yet.

[omaha79]

First NCAA tourney win:

Nebraska or Omaha....?

Not sure I'm actually joking.

That is awesome. The win vs St Thomas was a huge one. Although UNO hasn't fared well against better competition this year, so that might be a challenge to win a NCAA tournament game. They did hang with MN though and only lost by 4, but MN is one of the worst teams in the Big 10.

I would love a UNO tournament win though!

Technically, if UNO ever ended up in a 16 vs. 16 opening round matchup, that counts as a tournament win. And, if that ever happened, I would certainly count it and not care what anyone else said.

UNO has a long way to go to make the tournament though. It's a one bid league and even if they win the regular season championship, the Summit Tournament often ends up with tons of upsets in the first and second rounds.

I am pretty sure St. Thomas is still ineligible for the tourney. Idk how the summit would half if say UNO won the regular season and the Tommies won the tournament if they would give the auto bid to Omaha

The Mavs also have a tough stretch in Feb with 3 road games in one week against NDSU, St Thomas and UMKC. Great start but lots of work to do yet.

ok. so, I was wrong in my assumption as St. Thomas was in the postseason tournament last year. I was thinking they didn't go until they were postseason eligible, but that's not correct.

Actually, it seems that if UNO were to win the conference regular season, having St. Thomas in the field is almost like having UNO represented twice for a chance to win a bid to the NCAA tournament. Essentially, if UNO happened to be the #1 seed, big if with this many games left, both a UNO or St. Thomas win would send UNO to March madness. Very interesting.

This is per wikipedia, but here is how it was in the tournament last year...

If St. Thomas had won the Summit League Tournament, the conference's automatic bid would have gone to the highest seeded postseason eligible team, South Dakota State.

In a one bid league, kind of nice to know that in an 8 team tournament, 2 different outcomes still get you the same result.

[nebugeater]

First NCAA tourney win:

Nebraska or Omaha....?

Not sure I'm actually joking.

That is awesome. The win vs St Thomas was a huge one. Although UNO hasn't fared well against better competition this year, so that might be a challenge to win a NCAA tournament game. They did hang with MN though and only lost by 4, but MN is one of the worst teams in the Big 10.

I would love a UNO tournament win though!

Technically, if UNO ever ended up in a 16 vs. 16 opening round matchup, that counts as a tournament win. And, if that ever happened, I would certainly count it and not care what anyone else said.

UNO has a long way to go to make the tournament though. It's a one bid league and even if they win the regular season championship, the Summit Tournament often ends up with tons of upsets in the first and second rounds.

I'm not an Omaha fan or nonfan, but I totally agree. If they are in a play-in game and win, they definitely can claim a tourny win. If not for the NCAA Tourny, they would not play the game, so it counts. Win or Lose.

[Brad]

Wow, three at the buzzer!

[Brad]

Omaha Basketball on Sports Center!

[Habits76]

I was watching sports center last night and saw this piece on the UNO Basketball. I had no idea they were playing so well and this was hilarious to watch all the garbage can crushing, especially the top rope slam! LOL!!

[Brad]

Omaha wins 85-74 over North Dakota St and remains in first place in the summit league.

[iamjacobm]

Getting some publicity from ESPN.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... -tradition

On Jan. 28, the Mavericks announced the "Bring Your Own Can" promotion for the team's Feb. 1 game against Denver. Inspired by Brown's plastic post-win foe and the team's winning streak, fans were encouraged to bring their own five-gallon (or smaller) trash cans into Baxter Arena to use as popcorn containers.

Omaha beat Denver, and the promotion proved to be a hit. The school saw a 1,400 percent increase in ticket sales compared to the five months prior from when "Bring Your Own Can" was first announced through the end of walk-up sales on gameday. The final attendance counter of 3,356 was the highest of the year at Baxter Arena. It was estimated via popcorn sales that over a quarter of those in attendance brought trash cans with them.

[omaha79]

UNO basketball is now guaranteed a winning season in 2024-2025 with their road win over UMKC last night. With 2 home games left, they have a chance to clinch at least a share of the regular season championship with 2 wins, and outright with 2 wins and a St. Thomas loss. Coach Crutchfield's year by year wins have gone up each season in his 3 years as head coach. The direction of the program seems solid at this point.

[Brad]

For the first time since the transition to D1, Omaha clinches a share of Summit League Title! Can win it outright next Saturday at 1pm at the Baxter.





And the Trash Can:

[Brad]

Still plenty of decent upper bowl seats for tomorrow's regular season finale at the Baxter.

[Brad]

First time in the D1 Era... Regular Season Champions!

[Big E]

Omaha gets into the big dance if either they OR second place St Thomas MN wins the tournament this coming weekend.

Not thw worst position to be in.

[Linkin5]

Omaha gets into the big dance if either they OR second place St Thomas MN wins the tournament this coming weekend.

Not thw worst position to be in.

Maybe I’m not understanding your post but Omaha has to win the conference tournament to get in.

[iamjacobm]

Omaha gets into the big dance if either they OR second place St Thomas MN wins the tournament this coming weekend.

Not thw worst position to be in.

Maybe I’m not understanding your post but Omaha has to win the conference tournament to get in.

St. Thomas is still in their probation period from moving up to D1 so they can't make the NCAA tourney. Assuming they would send the regular season champ if St Thomas ends up winning the conference tournament.

[Linkin5]

Omaha gets into the big dance if either they OR second place St Thomas MN wins the tournament this coming weekend.

Not thw worst position to be in.

Maybe I’m not understanding your post but Omaha has to win the conference tournament to get in.

St. Thomas is still in their probation period from moving up to D1 so they can't make the NCAA tourney. Assuming they would send the regular season champ if St Thomas ends up winning the conference tournament.

Ahhhh ok that makes sense my bad Big E, this is what I get doubting you. Thanks Jacob.

[Big E]

my bad Big E, this is what I get doubting you.

I've been posting here for 20 years and have never ever been wrong about anything ever.

[nebugeater]

my bad Big E, this is what I get doubting you.

I've been posting here for 20 years and have never ever been wrong about anything ever.

Now you've broken that streak with this post! ;)

[omaha79]

It was a great day to be a Maverick at Baxter Saturday afternoon. They became the first team to clinch a championship inside Baxter Arena and did it with a resounding victory. They now have a 2/8 chance to make NCAA's. I want them to win the whole thing in Sioux Falls, but it's nice to know there is a little cushion should they falter and St. Thomas win the whole thing.

Glad to see Omaha alum Chris Crutchfield turning this program around in 3 years. It's been fun to watch and his guys have bought in.

[Brad]

my bad Big E, this is what I get doubting you.

I've been posting here for 20 years and have never ever been wrong about anything ever.

Yeah, and I'm the Pope...

It was a great day to be a Maverick at Baxter Saturday afternoon. They became the first team to clinch a championship inside Baxter Arena and did it with a resounding victory. They now have a 2/8 chance to make NCAA's. I want them to win the whole thing in Sioux Falls, but it's nice to know there is a little cushion should they falter and St. Thomas win the whole thing.

Glad to see Omaha alum Chris Crutchfield turning this program around in 3 years. It's been fun to watch and his guys have bought in.

I wish I was there, my son had a basketball game at the same time. Hope they have a great run up in Sioux Falls!

[Big E]

Yeah, and I'm the Pope...

You've been sick. You should be resting and not posting on this forum.

[WorldStreet]

Glad to see Omaha alum Chris Crutchfield turning this program around in 3 years. It's been fun to watch and his guys have bought in.

It was really surprising to me that they win their first Summit League regular season championship the same year that they lose their best player to the transfer portal.

[omaha79]

Glad to see Omaha alum Chris Crutchfield turning this program around in 3 years. It's been fun to watch and his guys have bought in.

It was really surprising to me that they win their first Summit League regular season championship the same year that they lose their best player to the transfer portal.

I had this argument with co-workers in the preseason. Some felt that this would be a 5-7 win team because, "how do you replace all that scoring." I even had a couple wagers with friends and co-workers that I easily won.

I saw them as maybe a 12-15 win team, honestly. But, something told me to give it a chance because, I felt the last couple of years really became the Frankie Fiddler circus side show. For whatever reason, there was a lot of standing around, not a lot of ball movement, and guys waiting for Frankie to just "do something." I never expected 19 wins and a Summit League Championship.

I think Fiddler leaving was also a challenge to Sutton, White, and Osburn and they doubled down on getting better and being leaders. I think it's because they committed to playing defense in a way they hadn't been able to the last 5 years, minimum as they are now bigger and more athletic overall and able to do so.

I have no idea what the W/L record would have been with Fiddler. We will never know. He may will win a conference championship at Michigan State. His playing time probably isn't what he hoped for, but I hope he's happy with where he is. he's a good kid. Wish he'd stayed, but happy with what happened since.

[Brad]

Summit League Awards are starting to roll in.

[omaha79]

Well deserved.

JJ White and Marquel Sutton were first team all Summit as well.

[Brad]

Omaha won, and are headed to the semi finals.

[Greg S]

ESPN:

[omaha79]

Also, for only the 2nd time in D-1 Program history, they have secured a 20 win season with last nights victory.

The 2018-2019 team that went to the Summit League Tournament Final went 21-11.

This is their fifth season with an over .500 record in 13 full D-1 seasons.

[Brad]

Upset, North Dakota beats #2 South Dakota State today, eliminating them from the Summit League Tournament.

[CBJason]

Upset, North Dakota beats #2 South Dakota State today, eliminating them from the Summit League Tournament.

I think you mean #3 SDSU, St. Thomas is #2

[iamjacobm]

Tonight's game is on CBS Sports Network.