UAFS Basketball: 5 Reasons The Lions' MIAA Transition And 10-0 Start Are Shaking Up NCAA Division II
The University of Arkansas–Fort Smith (UAFS) Lions basketball program is undergoing a seismic shift in the 2025-2026 season, marked by a major conference transition and an electrifying start for the men's team. As of late December 2025, the UAFS men’s team has roared out of the gate, achieving a perfect 10-0 record and climbing into the national rankings, signaling a new era of dominance under Head Coach Zane Gibson. This momentum is fueled by a move to the competitive Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), a change that promises both heightened challenges and greater opportunities for both the men's and women's squads.
The UAFS basketball community, including passionate fans known as the Lion faithful, are witnessing a pivotal moment in the program's history. The blend of a new conference landscape, a successful coaching regime, and standout defensive play has positioned the Fort Smith Lions as a must-watch NCAA Division II team, with high expectations for both the men’s and women’s programs as they navigate their new athletic home.
The UAFS Lions Basketball Program: A Fresh Profile
The University of Arkansas–Fort Smith (UAFS) athletic program, home to the Lions, has recently solidified its position as a major competitor in the NCAA Division II landscape. This section provides a complete, up-to-date profile of the program's key entities, leadership, and facilities.
- University Name: University of Arkansas–Fort Smith (UAFS)
- Mascot: Lions
- Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Athletic Affiliation: NCAA Division II
- Primary Conference (2024-2025 Season Onward): Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA)
- Previous Conference: Lone Star Conference (LSC) (Joined in July 2019)
- Home Arena: Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center
- Men's Head Coach: Zane Gibson (Named April 7, 2023)
- Women's Head Coach: (Information not specified in search results, but team is active)
- Notable Program History: Former Men's Coach Jeremy Cox is a 2025 Louis Whorton Hall of Fame inductee.
1. The MIAA Transition: A New Era of Competition
The biggest story surrounding UAFS Athletics in 2024 and 2025 is the monumental move to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). This transition marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Lions, who were previously members of the highly competitive Lone Star Conference (LSC) since 2019.
A Strategic Shift to the MIAA
UAFS officially began its competition in the MIAA in the 2024-2025 academic year. The MIAA is one of the oldest and most respected conferences in NCAA Division II, known for its deep talent pool and rigorous schedule.
For the UAFS basketball teams, this move means facing new rivals and traveling to different regional locations. The conference includes formidable opponents like the University of Central Oklahoma and Newman University (Jets). This strategic realignment is intended to strengthen the UAFS brand and increase its visibility within the central United States D-II landscape.
The early results show the men’s team is thriving in this new environment, with their conference record standing at 2-0 as of mid-December 2025.
2. Men’s Basketball Roars to a 10-0 Start and National Ranking
The UAFS Men’s Basketball team has been the undisputed headline-maker of the 2025 season. Under the leadership of Head Coach Zane Gibson, the Lions achieved an incredible 10-0 overall record by mid-December 2025. This perfect start is a massive indicator of the team's potential and has earned them a national ranking, sitting at No. 20 in the NCAA Division II polls.
Defensive Prowess and Bench Dominance
The Lions' success is not just about scoring; it's rooted in elite defense and remarkable depth. At one point in the season, the UAFS team was leading NCAA II in two critical defensive categories: field goal percentage defense (34.3 percent) and 3-point percentage defense (23.0 percent).
The bench has also been a major factor. In a pivotal 78-64 win over UT Permian Basin (UTPB) on December 17, 2025, the UAFS bench powered the team by scoring an astonishing 51 points. This depth allows Coach Gibson to maintain high energy and pressure throughout the entire game. Key victories in this stretch include a 79-65 win over Midwestern State in the River City Holiday Classic.
The team’s offensive output is equally impressive, with cumulative statistics for the 2025-2026 season showing an average of 86.9 Points Per Game (PPG).
3. Women’s Basketball Roster and Key Player Entities
The UAFS Women’s Basketball team is also competing fiercely in the new MIAA landscape, with a focus on building a strong foundation for future success. The 2025-2026 roster features several key players who are expected to drive the team's performance.
The Core of the Women’s Squad
While the team faced a tough 77-60 loss to the Newman Jets on December 6, 2025, the cumulative statistics for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons show the program is continuously developing talent. The roster is bolstered by several significant names, including:
- D'Ajha Horton
- Keytonna Ross
- Jordan Gramlich
- Jordan Gregory
- Taylor Addison
- Jah'Mareah Linville
- Telisha Brown
Individual standout performances are emerging, such as a player named Wemba, who scored a season-high 16 points in a defeat at Maryville, highlighting the individual talent on the roster that is poised for a breakout MIAA run.
4. The Leadership and Home Court Advantage
Success in any athletic program starts with leadership and a strong home environment. For the UAFS Lions, both are firmly in place, providing a significant advantage in the competitive MIAA.
Coach Zane Gibson's Impact
Men's Head Coach Zane Gibson has been instrumental in the team's recent success. Named to the position on April 7, 2023, Gibson has quickly implemented a winning culture built on character and defensive intensity. His leadership has been the catalyst for the 10-0 start and the team's No. 20 national ranking, proving that the program is in capable hands as it navigates the MIAA.
The program also honors its past, with former Men's Basketball Head Coach Jeremy Cox being inducted into the Louis Whorton Hall of Fame in 2025. This connection to a successful history reinforces the program's strong foundation.
The Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center
The Lions play their home games at one of the premier venues in NCAA Division II: the Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center. Located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, this facility provides a powerful home-court advantage for both the men's and women's teams. The arena is a central hub for the UAFS community, hosting not only regular-season games but also major events like the 2026 Homecoming schedule, which features a matchup against the University of Central Oklahoma.
5. The Road Ahead: Key MIAA Matchups and Expectations for 2026
With the 2025 portion of the schedule wrapping up, the focus immediately shifts to the demanding MIAA conference schedule in early 2026. The men's team's 10-0 record sets a high bar, and the Lion faithful are expecting a deep run in the MIAA/GAC Challenge and the MIAA Tournament.
The 2024-2025 schedule included challenging non-conference matchups against teams like Harding and Ouachita Baptist, preparing the Lions for the rigors of conference play. The ability of the Men's team to maintain their high defensive standards and deep bench scoring will be critical in securing a top seed in the MIAA tournament.
For the Women's team, the focus will be on converting close games into wins and seeing the young talent—like D'Ajha Horton and Keytonna Ross—develop into consistent MIAA performers. The continuous support at the Gayle Kaundart Arena will be vital as both UAFS basketball programs strive to establish themselves as perennial contenders in their new, highly competitive NCAA Division II conference.
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