Arizona Christian starts as the favorite, but five different programs received first-place votes in the 2026–27 GSAC men’s basketball preseason coaches poll.
The Firestorm earned 61 points and five first-place votes. The Master’s is second with 50 points and one first-place vote. Embry-Riddle and Hope International share third with 48 points apiece, each receiving one first-place vote.
Benedictine Mesa is fifth at 41 points and also picked up a first-place vote. That is quite a starting point for a program coming off a national semifinal appearance.
2026–27 preseason coaches poll
- Arizona Christian
- The Master’s
- Embry-Riddle / Hope International
- Benedictine Mesa
- OUAZ
- Life Pacific
- La Sierra
- Park Gilbert
Embry-Riddle and Hope International are tied for third. OUAZ received 28 points, followed by Life Pacific with 23, La Sierra with 13 and Park Gilbert with 12.
Arizona Christian and Hope International shared last season’s regular-season title. The Master’s won the conference tournament, and Benedictine Mesa reached the NAIA Fab Four. Three GSAC teams advanced to the national quarterfinals.
The postseason race has another layer this year: the GSAC returns to a six-team conference tournament, with the higher seeds hosting each round. First-round games are February 24, followed by the semifinals February 27 and championship March 2.
Five teams have championship votes. Six will have a place in the conference tournament. There should be plenty to follow between the first tip and March.
