In a competitive landscape, UT Martin finds itself projected to finish 8th in the OVC preseason rankings, igniting discussions among basketball enthusiasts.
BRWENTWOOD, Tenn. – According to a recent poll conducted among the head coaches and communication directors of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), Little Rock has emerged as the favorite to dominate the 2025-26 men’s basketball season. This marks the second consecutive year that the Trojans have claimed this esteemed position.
In this year’s voting, they secured an impressive 12 of the 22 first-place votes, accumulating a total of 188 points on the board. Hot on their heels are the Southeast Missouri, last year's champions of the regular season, who received six first-place votes and a total of 177 points. Meanwhile, SIUE followed closely with 163 points and a single first-place vote, securing their spot in third place, while Tennessee State, also with a single first-place vote, landed in fourth with 135 points.
Tying for fifth place were Lindenwood and Morehead State, both finishing with 100 points each. Tennessee Tech took the seventh position, followed by UT Martin in eighth place with 79 points. Southern Indiana received two first-place votes but was ultimately ranked ninth with 67 points. The rankings were completed with Eastern Illinois in tenth, followed by Western Illinois in eleventh.
This season, the OVC will once again feature 11 teams engaging in a comprehensive 20-game conference schedule, ensuring plenty of thrilling matchups ahead.
Mark your calendars for the culmination of the season, as the 2026 OVC Basketball Championships, presented by United Fidelity Bank, are set to take place from March 4 to 7 at the Ford Center located in Evansville, Indiana. This will be the ninth consecutive year that the championships are hosted at this venue, with plans for it to continue through 2032, as announced just earlier this month.
2025-26 OVC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
- Little Rock (12 first-place votes) - 188 points
- Southeast Missouri (6) - 177 points
- SIUE (1) - 163 points
- Tennessee State (1) - 135 points
- Lindenwood - 100 points
- Morehead State - 100 points
- Tennessee Tech - 80 points
- UT Martin - 79 points
- Southern Indiana (2) - 67 points
- Eastern Illinois - 63 points
- Western Illinois - 57 points
But here's where it gets controversial... with UT Martin being placed 8th, fans are left to wonder: Do rankings really reflect the true potential of the teams or are they merely predictive guesses? How do you feel about UT Martin's ranking? Do you believe they can surprise everyone and defy expectations? Share your thoughts in the comments!
