PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico men's basketball hits the road for the first time in 2025-26 as they travel to Northwestern Oklahoma State for a Saturday matinee. Before the Greyhounds clash with the Rangers, please take a look at the Starting Five:

1.) Kids Day Win: Eastern New Mexico beat Northern New Mexico, 92-73, Tuesday night. The highlight of the game was the crowd with 2000+ joining the Greyhounds for a day of fun at Steve Loy Family Foundation Arena. The raucous crew enjoyed a collegiate basketball game, good tunes, and an autograph session with players directly after the matchup. The annual game is a great way to tie Eastern New Mexico Athletics with various schools in the high plains.

2.) Abrams Making Noise: The most notable difference from 2024-25 to 2025-26 is the role that junior guard Austin Abrams is playing for the Greyhounds. He served as a key role player for last season's squad that made it to the Lone Star Conference quarterfinals before falling to Lubbock Christian. Abrams is now a starter for the program and is one of three student-athletes to score in double figures in all three games this season. He posted a career high 26 points in the win over Northern New Mexico on Tuesday. Abrams is also tied for the team lead in three's made with five total.

3.) Freshman to Watch: Mika Tangermann has been a great addition to the Greyhound men's basketball squad in 2025-26. The freshman forward is posting 6.7 points per game, including a season best 11 points in a win over New Mexico Highlands where he made 4-of-5 from the floor, including both of his attempts from behind the arc. Tangermann is averaging 17.3 minutes per game. His only two turnovers of the season have come in the season opener against Fort Lewis.

4.) History with the Rangers: Northwestern Oklahoma State and Eastern New Mexico are meeting for the 14th time in program history. The most recent meeting? January 5, 1980. In that matchup, Eastern New Mexico pulled off a 72-56 win over the Rangers at a neutral site venue. The Hounds have won three of the last four meetings. The two squads were regular opponents in the 1970s with the first meeting coming in January 1970 – the only win for Eastern in Alva.

5.) Scouting NWOSU: The Rangers come into this weekend's games with a 1-2 record. They are boasting 78.3 points per game while making 48.1% of their shots from the floor. The team is not afraid to attempt the three. They are shooting 17-for-49 (34.7%) from behind the arc. Max Alexander leads the squad with 22.3 points per game while connecting on 52.3% of his tries from the field. Alexander has scored 20+ points in each game this year. One player Eastern New Mexico fans will be familiar with is Liam Canty. The former Greyhound plays for the Rangers and has appeared in all three contests in a reserve role.