EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE men's basketball has been tabbed for a third-place finish according to the league's head coaches and sports information personnel.
SIUE garnered 86 points and tied both Morehead State and UT Martin in the poll. Tennessee State was picked to repeat as OVC champion. The Tigers got 13 of 18 first-place votes and 125 points. Southeast Missouri was picked second with 107 points and grabbed two first-place votes.
Lindenwood, Southern Indiana, Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois followed in the poll.
The league will hold Media Day, presented by Center Point Energy, Friday in Evansville, Indiana.
A live ESPN+ show is planned for the day, with Head Coach Brian Barone and returning All-OVC player Tyler King appearing as part of the show. They are scheduled to appear between 10:40-10:55. The show can be seen on ESPN+ here.
2026-27 OVC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Tennessee State (13 first-place votes) 125 points
2. Southeast Missouri (2) 107
3. Morehead State (3) 86
SIUE 86
UT Martin 86
6. Lindenwood 61
7. Southern Indiana 44
8. Eastern Illinois 37
9. Western Illinois 17
