MVC Releases Men's Basketball Preseason Poll

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 — Southern Illinois men's basketball was picked to finish ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll, the league 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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