MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Loyola sits atop a tightly-contested 2026-27 SSAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll, with four different teams receiving first-place votes.

William Carey won last season's regular season title, while Dalton State claimed the tournament crown.

The 2027 SSAC Men's Basketball Championship, presented by Chappy's Deli, will take place Feb. 23-27 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. 

Trey Lindsey, Loyola Head Coach: "We're honored to be picked first in the SSAC by the coaches in this league. It means a lot coming from people we respect and compete against every year. The SSAC is one of the best basketball conferences in the NAIA, and there are no easy nights. We're excited about where we're starting, but preseason rankings don't win games. What we want to accomplish this year is still a long way off, and we'll have to earn it in this league."

2026-27 SSAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll

1. Loyola - 181 (6)

2. William Carey - 168 (5)

3. Faulkner - 165 (2)

4. Dalton State - 159 (1)

5. Life - 140

6. Brewton-Parker - 130

7. Xavier - 121

8. UT Southern - 94

9. Mobile - 90

10. Point - 64

11. Thomas - 62

12. Blue Mountain - 46

13. Abraham Baldwin - 33

14. Andrew - 17