Mid-American Conference Announces Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll and Award Winners
10/20/2026 9:55:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CLEVELAND – The Kent State Men's Basketball team was picked fourth in the Mid-American Conference 2026-2027 Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced earlier today.
Kent State senior guard Chansey Willis Jr. was named to the to the preseason All-MAC First Team.
Kent State will open its 2026-27 campaign on Monday, Nov. 2 at Louisiana Tech University as part of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
2026-27 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
First Place Votes (x)
1. Miami – 130 (9)
2. Toledo – 117 (2)
3. Akron -- 110
4. Kent State – 108 (1)
5. Ohio – 82
6. UMass – 79
7. Bowling Green – 63
8. Western Michigan – 58
9. Eastern Michigan – 56
10. Buffalo – 47
11. Ball State – 40
12. Central Michigan – 25
Tournament Champions: Miami (5), Toledo (4), UMass (2), Kent State (1)
Preseason All-MAC First Team
Mohammad Habhab, Eastern Michigan, Forward, R-So.
Evan Isparo, Miami, Guard, Sr.
Javan Simmons, Ohio, Forward, R-Sr.
Luke Skaljac, Miami, Guard, Jr.,
Chansey Willis Jr., Kent State, Guard, Sr.
Preseason All-MAC Second Team
Sean Jones, Toledo, Guard, R-Sr.
Evan Mahaffey, Akron, Wing, 5th-Sr.
Austin Parks, Toledo, Center, Sr.
Jackson Paveletzke, Ohio, Guard, 5th-Sr.
Tahj Staveskie, Akron, Guard, R-Sr.
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