Preview: Queens (NC) Royals at Stetson Hatters

DELAND, Fla. (Interstat) — Two ASUN Conference men’s basketball teams trending in opposite directions will meet Saturday when the Queens (NC) Royals visit the Stetson Hatters at Edmunds Center.

The Royals (10-8, 4-1 ASUN) enter on a five-game winning streak, their longest of the season, all in conference play. Their most recent victory was an 85-74 road win at Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday. Queens has found its rhythm in January after a non-conference schedule that included lopsided losses to power programs like Auburn, Arkansas and Virginia.

Queens is led by guard Jordan Watford, who has been a model of efficiency during the streak. Over the last six games, he is averaging 13.7 points and 3.7 assists in just 19.7 minutes per contest. In the win over FGCU, he scored 19 points in 19 minutes. Maban Jabriel (15 points) and Yoav Berman (11 points) also provided key contributions.

Stetson (7-11, 2-3) snapped a two-game skid with a 95-86 home win over West Georgia on Thursday. The Hatters’ conference wins have come at home against Lipscomb and West Georgia, but they have struggled on the road.

The Hatters will rely on the hot hand of guard Collin Kuhl, who erupted for a season-high 26 points in Thursday’s victory. Over his last three games, Kuhl is averaging 17.3 points. Ethan Copeland (18 points) and Calvin Sirmans (15 points) provided support against West Georgia.

While Queens boasts the superior record and current momentum, Stetson has shown it can score in bunches at home, averaging 93 points in its two ASUN home wins. The Royals counter with a high-powered offense that has averaged 88.2 points during their five-game streak.

Saturday’s matchup will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Queens joined the ASUN in 2022.

The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. EST tipoff on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.