• Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - In a vote of Ohio Valley Conference head men’s basketball coaches and communication directors, Tennessee State has been picked the preseason favorites for the 2026-27 season.
The Tigers, the defending OVC Tournament Champions, picked up 13 of 18 first-place votes to receive 125 total points. Southeast Missouri received two first-place votes and was tabbed second (107 points).
There was a three-way tie for third, with Morehead State (two first-place votes), SIUE and UT Martin each receiving 86 points. The poll was rounded out by Lindenwood (61), Southern Indiana (44), Eastern Illinois (37) and Western Illinois (17).
The League includes nine teams this year playing a 16-game Conference schedule.
The season will conclude with the 2027 OVC Basketball Championships presented by United Fidelity Bank (March 3-6), which will be held at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana for the 10th-straight season. The Championship will be held at the venue through at least 2032.
| 2026-27 OVC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll |
| Rk - School (first-place votes) |
Points |
| 1 - Tennessee State (13) |
125 |
| 2 - Southeast Missouri (2) |
107 |
| 3t - Morehead State (3) |
86 |
| 3t - SIUE |
86 |
| 3t - UT Martin |
86 |
| 6 - Lindenwood |
61 |
| 7 - Southern Indiana |
44 |
| 8 - Eastern Illinois |
37 |
| 9 - Western Illinois |
17 |