New Braunfels, Texas - Hardin-Simmons has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026-27 American Southwest Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Poll, announced Thursday. Voting was conducted by the head men's basketball coaches and sports  information directors from each ASC institution. Cowboys Chris Bryant and Asher Fleming, both All-Conference selections last season, were named Players to Watch along with Silas Davis, the 2025-26 Men's Basketball Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year.
 
Mary Hardin-Baylor finished just three points behind Hardin-Simmons in the poll. The Cru captured the 2026 ASC Championship Tournament title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after sharing the ASC regular-season title with Hardin-Simmons.
 
Howard Payne was picked to finish third, just two points ahead of fourth-place McMurry. The War Hawks return guard Koye Rondeno, who averaged 11.0 points per game last season. Carter May and Jordan McClendon were named Players to Watch for the Yellow Jackets.
 
Schreiner tallied 28 points to finish fifth, while East Texas Baptist rounded out the poll with 25 points. Schreiner will open its 2026-27 season against Catholic University of America at Ursinus, while East Texas Baptist begins its campaign at home against Southwestern University (Texas).
 
2026-27 Preseason Poll
1. Hardin-Simmons, 65 (6)
2. Mary Hardin-Baylor, 62 (6)
3. Howard Payne, 37
4. McMurry, 35
5. Schreiner, 28
6. East Texas Baptist, 25
 
2026-27 Players to Watch
Name                     Position    Class   School
Chris Bryant*         F                 Sr.        Hardin-Simmons
Chris Carpenter     PG              Sr.        East Texas Baptist
Silas Davis            PG              Sr.        Hardin-Simmons
Greg Dumas         G                 Jr.         East Texas Baptist
Asher Fleming*     F                 Sr.         Hardin-Simmons
Josh Goings         G                 Gr.         Mary Hardin-Baylor
Justin Gooden      G                 Sr.         Schreiner
Grant Jessen        W                Sr.         Mary Hardin-Baylor
Shad Levy             G                Sr.         East Texas Baptist
Sebastian Mackey G                Jr.         McMurry
Carter May             F                Sr.         Howard Payne
Jordan McClendon G               Gr.        Howard Payne
Jack Pease*          G                Gr.         Mary Hardin-Baylor
Mikhali Roberts     W                Sr.         McMurry
Koye Rondeno      G                So.        McMurry
Keegan Rowell      G                Jr.         Howard Payne
Dylan Snow*         G                 Jr.         Schreiner
 
*2025-26 All-Conference Selection