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BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - In a vote of Ohio Valley Conference head men’s basketball coaches and communication directors, Little Rock has been picked the preseason favorites for the 2025-26 season. It marks the second-straight year the Trojans have been tabbed the favorites.
The Trojans picked up 12 of 22 first-place votes to receive 188 points. Southeast Missouri, last year's regular season champions, picked up six first-place votes and 177 points, while SIUE (163 points) and Tennessee State (135 points) each picked up a first-place point and were tabbed third and fourth respectively.
Lindenwood and Morehead State (100 points) tied for fifth place, Tennessee Tech was seventh, UT Martin eighth and Southern Indiana received the other two first-place votes and were picked ninth. The poll was rounded out by Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois.
The League once again includes 11 teams. This year those teams will play a 20-game Conference schedule.
The season will conclude with the 2026 OVC Basketball Championships presented by United Fidelity Bank (March 4-7), which will be held at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana for the ninth-straight season. It was announced earlier this month that the Championship would be held at the venue through 2032.
2025-26 OVC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Little Rock (12 first-place) - 188 points
2. Southeast Missouri (6) - 177
3. SIUE (1) - 163
4. Tennessee State (1) - 135
5. Lindenwood - 100
Morehead State - 100
7. Tennessee Tech - 80
8. UT Martin - 79
9. Southern Indiana (2) - 67
10. Eastern Illinois - 63
11. Western Illinois - 57
Returning All-OVC Players
Jadis Jones, G, So. - Lindenwood
Johnathan Lawson, G, R-Sr. - Little Rock
Tuongthach Gatkek, F, Grad. - Little Rock
Brendan Terry, F, Sr. - Southeast Missouri
Aaron Nkrumah, G, Sr. - Tennessee State
Players to Watch
Each team was able to select two "Players to Watch" to represent its team.
Eastern Illinois
Kooper Jacobi, F, Graduate
Zion Fruster, G, Senior
Lindenwood
Anias Futrell, G, Senior
Mekhi Cooper, G, Junior
Little Rock
Kachi Nzeh, F, Junior
Braxton Bayless, G, Graduate
Morehead State
Davion Cunningham, G, R-Junior
Chase Dawson, G, Sophomore
Southeast Missouri
BJ Ward, G, Junior
Braxton Stacker, G, Senior
SIUE
Arnas Sakenis, C, Senior
Ring Malith, G/F, Senior
Southern Indiana
Trey Thomas, G, Senior
Ismail Habib, G, Junior
Tennessee State
Khalil London, G, R-Sophomore
Carlous Williams, F, Graduate
Tennessee Tech
JaJuan Nicholls, F, Junior
Mekhi Cameron, G, Graduate
UT Martin
Afan Trnka, G, Junior
Lamine Niang, F, R-Junior
Western Illinois
Lucas Lorenzen, G, Junior
Antwaun Massey, F, Senior