FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Calvin University has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2025-26 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, earning all seven possible first-place votes after sweeping both the regular-season and tournament titles last year.
The Knights headline a competitive field that features several returning All-MIAA standouts and a mix of veteran leadership and new coaching faces across the conference. Trine University and Hope College follow closely behind, while The University of Olivet, Albion College, Adrian College, Kalamazoo College, and Alma College look to challenge in what promises to be another tightly contested MIAA season.
1. Calvin University – 7 points (7 first-place votes)
The Knights completed the 2024-25 conference season with a perfect 14-0 record and finished 21-7 overall, advancing to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Calvin will be boosted by the return of preseason All-American and two-time MIAA Most Valuable Player Jalen Overway, who missed last season due to injury. Overway’s return adds a dominant inside presence to a lineup already rich with experience and balance.
Senior forward Trevin Winkle, a 2025 All-MIAA Second Team honoree, returns after totaling 135 points with a .531 field-goal percentage, a .771 mark from the free-throw line, 66 rebounds, and 20 assists. Other key returners include senior guard Luka Ressler, who led Calvin with 51 assists during league play, and Parker Swartz, who tallied 128 points. Also back in the mix is junior guard Jordan Scott, who returns after missing last season. As a freshman, Scott averaged 5.0 points and 1.4 assists per game, providing steady guard play.
Head coach Bill Sall, the 2025 MIAA Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year, enters his seventh season at the helm of his alma mater.
2. Trine University – 16 points
Trine University was picked second in the poll after finishing 11-3 in conference play and 21-5 overall last season.
Senior guard Nate Tucker headlines the Thunder lineup after earning All-MIAA Second Team honors. Tucker led Trine in minutes played (405), field goals made (89), free throws made (54), and total points (244). Senior forward Logan McKenzie also returns after recording 22 rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and 37 points.
The Thunder welcome new head coach Jon VanderWal, who joins the program after 18 seasons at Marietta College, where he compiled a 341-150 record and nine NCAA Tournament appearances.
3. Hope College – 18 points (1 first-place vote)
Hope College was selected third, earning one first-place vote. The Flying Dutchmen went 9-5 in league play and 16-12 overall last season.
Hope returns two All-MIAA Second Team players in junior forward Parker Hovey and senior guard Marcus Wourman. Hovey led Hope with 189 points, 50 made free throws, and 28 steals while adding 30 assists. Wourman paced the team with 23 triples, 33 assists, and contributed 187 points. Senior guard Justice Mims will also play a key role after totaling 111 points, 43 rebounds, 15 steals, and 13 assists.
4. The University of Olivet – 23 points
Olivet placed fourth in the preseason rankings after finishing 8-6 in the MIAA and 11-16 overall.
Junior center Conner Schipper, a two-time All-MIAA selection, leads the Comets after recording 202 points, 95 rebounds, and 21 blocks last year. Junior guard Nathan Richardson, an All-MIAA Second Team pick, returns after leading Olivet in nearly every statistical category with 243 points, 35 assists, and 34 steals. Sophomore forward Porter Kretschman adds depth with 88 rebounds, 33 assists, and 144 points.
5. Albion College – 31 points
Albion ranked fifth in the poll following a 5-9 MIAA record and 10-16 overall finish.
The Brits return fifth-year senior guard BJ Hunter, who led the team with 25 assists, along with junior guard Dwayne Ray, who posted a team-high 16 steals. Senior center Michael Umeh also returns after leading Albion with 16 blocks and 93 rebounds while adding 124 points.
T6. Adrian College – 40 points
Adrian finished 7-19 overall and 5-9 in league play.
Senior guard Seth Logan, who hit a team-best 30 triples last year, returns after totaling 153 points, 29 rebounds, and 14 assists. Junior guard Luke Rager contributed 24 assists, 39 rebounds, and 76 points.
T6. Kalamazoo College – 40 points
Kalamazoo finished 7-19 overall and 3-11 in the MIAA last year.
Sophomore guard Nelson Sompa returns after leading the Hornets with 29 assists and contributing 76 points, 60 rebounds, and 11 steals. Senior guard Carter Bandemer returns after leading Kalamazoo with 17 steals, along with senior guard Lucas Hanifan, who led the team with 25 triples and 112 points.
8. Alma College – 49 points
Alma rounds out the poll in eighth place after a 1-13 MIAA record and 1-24 overall mark.
Junior guard Donovan Collins returns after leading the team with 141 points, 38 triples, and 27 steals. Senior guard Josh Elliott led Alma with seven blocks, adding 107 points and 11 assists, while junior forward/center Logan St. Martin totaled 78 points and 57 rebounds.
Up Ahead
Conference play begins Wednesday, January 7, with Hope hosting Trine, Adrian hosting Kalamazoo, Olivet hosting Albion, and Calvin hosting Alma. The MIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament opens with first-round games on February 24, followed by semifinals on February 27 and the championship on February 28. The NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Tournament tips off on March 6.