KANSAS — Oklahoma Wesleyan University secured the top spot in the 2026 KCAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll, the conference office announced Tuesday. The Eagles secured 169 total points and 13 first-place votes.
Oklahoma Wesleyan enters the season as the five-time KCAC men's basketball regular-season champions, and the reigning KCAC Men's Basketball conference tournament champions, their third conference tournament title in the last five years.
The second through fourth ranked teams in the preseason poll were only separated by eight total points. McPherson College was ranked No. 2 by the coaches, with 149 total points. Bethel College was not far behind, securing the No. 3 spot with 144 total points and receiving the one remaining first-place vote. Southwestern College, No. 4 in the preseason coaches' poll, tallied 141 total points. Rounding out the Top Five of the KCAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll was Evangel University, with 113 total points.
2026 KCAC MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
| Rank |
Institution |
Total Points |
First-Place Votes |
| 1 |
Oklahoma Wesleyan University |
169 |
13 |
| 2 |
McPherson College |
149 |
|
| 3 |
Bethel College |
144 |
1 |
| 4 |
Southwestern College |
141 |
|
| 5 |
Evangel University |
113 |
|
| 6 |
University of Saint Mary |
110 |
|
| T7 |
Friends University |
89 |
|
| T7 |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
89 |
|
| 9 |
Ottawa University |
85 |
|
| 10 |
Sterling College |
45 |
|
| 11 |
Avila University |
42 |
|
| 12 |
Tabor College |
37 |
|
| 13 |
York University |
33 |
|
| 14 |
Bethany College |
28 |
|
—KCAC—