IU Kokomo begins the River States race with the strongest backing from the conference coaches.
The Cougars lead the 2026–27 men’s basketball preseason coaches poll with 79 points and seven first-place votes. IU Southeast is second with 71 points and two first-place votes. Rio Grande takes third with 66 and the remaining first-place vote.
Midway is fourth with 53 points, followed by Saint Mary-of-the-Woods at 45.
2026–27 preseason coaches poll
- IU Kokomo
- IU Southeast
- Rio Grande
- Midway
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
- WVU Tech
- IU East
- Brescia
- Kentucky Christian
- IU Columbus
WVU Tech received 40 points, IU East 36, Brescia 25, Kentucky Christian 20 and IU Columbus 15.
IU Kokomo won last season’s West Division and earned an at-large national tournament berth. The Cougars return Joseph Annan Jr., a first-team all-conference selection.
IU Southeast brings its own championship credentials. The Grenadiers won the RSC tournament last season and are looking for a third consecutive trip to both the conference tournament championship game and the NAIA tournament. Rio Grande starts third under new head coach Ron Miller.
The first scheduled conference game is November 17, when Saint Mary-of-the-Woods hosts IU East. The conference tournament is scheduled for February 24, February 27 and March 2, with the higher seeds hosting.
