The Omaha Mavericks are once again off to a slow start to the season and currently 3-7. During a preseason closed door scrimmage game vs Western Illinois Isaac Ondekane landed awkwardly injuring his ankle and later had surgery on it. This will cause Isaac to be out until sometime during the 2026 calendar year. There could be a possibility Isaac will redshirt and return next season depending on how the ankle heals and if there is any sort of reinjury to that ankle or get injured somewhere else. During the game against Murray State in Sioux Falls, Omaha struggled at the end of the first half and beginning of the second half and was unable to claw back in the game losing 85-77. A few days later in Abilene vs Abilene Christian, it was a back and forth affair only for Omaha to foul with 5 seconds left down by 2 and missing the game winning shot losing 73-71. Omaha would travel to Colorado State losing 97-74 against a future PAC 12 squad and top Mountain West team.
Omaha finally returned home on November 15th when three banners were hung in the rafters of Baxter Arena before the game against Southern Utah (Summit League Regular Season Champs, Summit League Postseason Champs, NCAA Tournament Appearance) as well as the Championship Ring Giveaways. Former players Josh Streit, and JJ White were also present for the celebration. Omaha ended up beating Southern Utah by a score of 90-85 after a back and forth affair. A few days later Omaha struggled against NAIA Bible College Concordia Seward (NE) where Omaha was down during quite a bit of the game and only leading by a few points until the final 12 minutes of the game pulling away and winning by 16 96-80. Former Mav and current LSU Tiger Marquel Sutton got his Championship Ring when Omaha played at LSU before that game where LSU defeated Omaha 99-73. Tony Osburn injured his shoulder during the LSU game and was trying to play through it only to be sidelined with a strained shoulder a few games later.
During Thanksgiving Week, Omaha spent time in Miami playing James Madison and Florida International. Omaha ended up losing to James Madison 88-77 where Omaha went on a scoring drought and could not stop James Madison after trying to make a run of their own. The next day against Florida International, Tony Osburn had to come into the game in an emergency situation due to Grant Stubblefield slipping and falling injuring his knee. Grant was not putting any weight on his knee getting helped off to the bench and has not played since. Omaha returned home to play Mid America Christian University (NAIA) and won 84-62.
On December 3rd in the Summit/Big Sky Challenge, Omaha took on Northern Colorado with a home winning streak on the line and a Black Out Theme Game. Omaha was down three starters (Osburn, Stubblefield, Ondekane). Players such as Ja’Sean Glover and Lance Waddles had to step up in a huge way against Big Sky favorites Northern Colorado. It was a back and forth affair all game long with Omaha trailing Northern Colorado 36-33 at the half. In the second half Omaha took a five point lead only for Northern Colorado to go on a mini run of their own. With seven seconds left in the game Northern Colorado sealed the game with a three point basket causing Omaha to end its home winning streak losing 75-70. The difference in this game was free throw shooting with Norther Colorado 13-15 and Omaha 15-22 from the free throw line. Another difference in this game is Omaha missing easy shots near the basket losing out on multiple occasions on points and not using the glass for the shots. Ja’Sean Glover lead Omaha in scoring with 26 points, Lance Waddles 19 points, Khamani Cooper 7 points, Christian Richardson 6 points who also injured his arm late in the game and something to watch in future games, Kam Thomas with 3 points, and Omaha Skutt Grad Brock Scholl with 9 points.
Their next game is at Portland State in the second half of the Summit/Big Sky Challenge tomorrow at 4pm central time. Do not count this Omaha team out because once Omaha gets healthy, they will be a dangerous team come Summit League play. Paul Djobet who transferred to the team late from The University of Miami will be eligible to play after submitting Final Grades either on December 16th vs NAIA York or December 20th when Omaha travels to Beaumont Texas to face Lamar.