Loyola has the preseason target in the SSAC, but the first-place votes tell us the coaches see several contenders.
The Wolf Pack leads the 2026–27 men’s basketball preseason coaches poll with 181 points and six first-place votes. William Carey follows at 168 with five first-place votes. Faulkner is third with 165 and two, while Dalton State is fourth with 159 and one.
Life is fifth with 140 points, followed by Brewton-Parker with 130 and Xavier with 121.
2026–27 preseason coaches poll
- Loyola
- William Carey
- Faulkner
- Dalton State
- Life
- Brewton-Parker
- Xavier
- UT Southern
- Mobile
- Point
- Thomas
- Blue Mountain
- Abraham Baldwin
- Andrew
UT Southern received 94 points, Mobile 90, Point 64, Thomas 62, Blue Mountain 46, Abraham Baldwin 33 and Andrew 17.
William Carey is the defending regular-season champion, while Dalton State won last season’s conference tournament. Both sit in a top four separated by 22 points, with only three points between William Carey and Faulkner.
Loyola begins at No. 1, but the distribution of first-place votes gives this race more than one credible challenger. The question now is which team can turn those expectations into consistent conference wins.
The 2027 SSAC championship is scheduled for February 23–27 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
