MVC Releases Men's Basketball Preseason Poll - Southern Illinois University Athletics

Southern Illinois basketball huddles during the Donuts with the Dawgs event Saturday, October 3, 2026, in Carbondale, Ill.

Photo by: Saluki Athletic Communications

10/13/2026 | 1:01:00 | Men's Basketball

By: Jordan Kruse, SIUSalukis.com

ST. LOUIS — The Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll was announced Tuesday. Murray State was selected as the preseason favorite, receiving 32 first-place votes.
Illinois State received seven first-place votes, while UIC collected six. Belmont, Valparaiso and Bradley each received one first-place vote to round out the top six.
Murray State (32 first-place votes) -- 517
Illinois State (7) -- 471
UIC (6) -- 466
Belmont (1) -- 353
Valparaiso (1) -- 343
Bradley (1) -- 313

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