HILBERT, Wisconsin – Following its first Midwest Conference title in 17 years, the Grinnell College men’s basketball program has been selected to defend its crown as the league’s preseason poll was announced on Wednesday morning.
The Pioneers – winners of back-to-back MWC Tournament titles – received 80 points and eight first-place votes. Grinnell will be led by Gabe Garcia and Tyler Copes in 2026-27, as the latter was named last year’s defensive player of the year and newcomer of the year in the league.
Monmouth College, who came up one game short of the NCAA Tournament last year, has been picked to finish second. The Fighting Scots received 74 points and the remaining two first-place votes.
Lawrence University (59 points) finished just ahead of Illinois College (57), while the top half of the poll was rounded out by Lake Forest College (50 points). Luther College (34 points), Cornell College (32 points), Knox College (28 points), Ripon College (21 points) and Beloit College (15 points) occupied the sixth through tenth spots in the results.
Four league teams will tip off the 2026-27 campaign on Friday, November 6. MWC play begins on Saturday, November 21 with eight of the 10 teams in action.
For the first time, the Midwest Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament features an expanded field of six teams who will compete for the tournament title and the automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament. Quarterfinal action kicks off on Tuesday, February 23 while the semifinals and finals are scheduled for Friday and Saturday (February 26-27).
Full preseason poll results and quick facts for all 10 league teams can be found below.
2026-27 MWC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Grinnell College (8 first-place votes) – 80 points
2. Monmouth College (2) – 74 points
3. Lawrence University – 59 points
4. Illinois College – 57 points
5. Lake Forest College – 50 points
6. Luther College – 34 points
7. Cornell College – 32 points
8. Knox College – 28 points
9. Ripon College – 21 points
10. Beloit College – 15 points
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
***Story courtesy of MidwestConference.org***
