BRIGHTON, Mich. -- The University of Olivet has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026-27 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll, earning 46 points and six first-place votes.
The Comets captured the outright regular-season title last season for the first time since 1972 and will look to build on that success with several key contributors returning. Trine University follows in second with 40 points and one first-place vote, while Calvin University and Hope College are tied-for-third with 37 points each.
1. The University of Olivet – 46 points (6 first-place votes)
Olivet claimed the MIAA regular-season championship in 2025-26, finishing with a 12-2 conference record. The title marked the seventh in program history and the first outright regular-season crown for the Comets since 1972.
Senior guard Nathan Richardson headlines Olivet’s returning roster after a historic season. Richardson became the first player in program history to earn MIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors and secured a place on the All-MIAA First Team. He was also named to the D3hoops.com All-Region 7 Second Team and the NABC All-District 7 Second Team in 2026. Senior center Conner Schipper returns as a three-time All-MIAA honoree after earning First Team recognition last season. Junior forward Porter Kretschman also returns following a selection to the 2026 All-MIAA Second Team.
Head coach Sam Hargraves was named the 2026 MIAA Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year and NABC District 7 Co-Coach of the Year. Hargraves enters his eighth season leading the Comets and his first academic year as Olivet’s athletic director.
2. Trine University – 40 points (1 first-place vote)
Trine tied-for-third in the 2025-26 regular-season standings with a 10-4 conference record. Although the Thunder graduated both of their All-MIAA honorees, several returning players will look to help the team remain in contention.
Junior guard Cade Brenner returns after totaling 135 points, 74 rebounds, 26 assists, and 23 steals during the regular season. Sophomore forward Elias Lewis contributed 128 points and led the Thunder with a 41.5 percent three-point field-goal percentage, making 27-of-65 attempts. He also recorded 56 rebounds, 20 assists, 16 steals, and seven blocks. Senior forward Drew Panning rounds out Trine’s returning group after totaling nine blocks last season.
T-3. Calvin University – 37 points (1 first-place vote)
Calvin also tied-for-third in the 2025-26 regular season with a 10-4 conference record. With both of last season’s All-MIAA honorees having graduated, the Knights will rely on returning experience to make another push in the league standings.
Senior forward Parker Swartz returns after contributing 121 points, 62 rebounds, 22 assists, and 12 blocks during the regular season. Junior forward Justin McIllwain is also back after recording 80 points, 27 defensive rebounds, 16 steals, and 13 assists. Junior guard Jordan Scott returns after averaging 9.6 points per game and totaling 16 assists last season.
T-3. Hope College – 37 points
Hope finished second in the 2025-26 regular season with an 11-3 conference record before capturing the MIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament championship for the 16th time in program history. The Flying Dutch return key contributors as they look to defend their tournament crown and challenge for the regular-season title.
Sophomore guard Brendan Cargill returns after earning Second Team All-MIAA honors last season. Junior forward Orion Yant also returns after an efficient campaign, totaling 162 points while shooting 63.7 percent from the field. Yant added 83 rebounds, 20 blocks, 13 assists, and 13 steals. Sophomore guard Avery Sanchez rounds out Hope’s returning group after contributing 92 points, 19 assists, and 19 defensive rebounds last season.
5. Albion College – 24 points
Albion finished fifth in the 2025-26 regular season with a 7-7 conference record. The Britons return several experienced guards and forwards who will look to help the team climb the standings.
Senior guard Dwayne Ray Jr. returns after recording 127 points, 21 assists, 20 rebounds, and 16 steals last season. Junior guard Mason Brodi also returns after totaling 113 points, 48 rebounds, 13 assists, and 15 steals. Senior forward Kurtis Rhodes adds further experience to the Britons’ lineup after contributing 97 points, 49 rebounds, 22 assists, seven blocks, and six steals.
6. Alma College – 18 points
Alma tied-for-sixth in the 2025-26 regular season with a 3-11 conference record. The Scots bring back a mix of all-conference experience and returning statistical leaders for the 2026-27 campaign.
Senior forward Korbin Heitzman returns after earning a spot on the 2026 All-MIAA Second Team. Junior guard Joss Bradley also returns after leading Alma with 51 assists and 24 steals last season. Senior forward/center Logan St. Martin contributed seven blocks, 70 points, 37 rebounds, and 18 assists. Sophomore guard Elijah Sykes returns after totaling 160 points, 43 rebounds, and 21 assists, while senior Donovan Collins adds experience after recording 106 points, 29 defensive rebounds, 16 steals, and 11 assists.
7. Kalamazoo College – 12 points
Kalamazoo finished eighth in the 2025-26 regular season with a 0-14 conference record. The Hornets return several experienced players who will look to help the program take a step forward in league competition.
Senior forward Patrick Perez led Kalamazoo with 66 rebounds last season while contributing 137 points, 13 steals, and 10 assists. Junior guard Nelson Sompa paced the Hornets with 41 assists and also added 70 points, 36 rebounds, and 12 steals. Senior forward Connor Kouki returns after recording 84 points, 34 rebounds, 19 assists, and seven steals last season.
8. Adrian College – 10 points
Adrian tied-for-sixth in the 2025-26 regular season with a 3-11 conference record. The Bulldogs return several contributors while welcoming a new head coach for the upcoming campaign.
Senior guard Luke Rager led Adrian with 42 assists last season and also contributed 102 points, 21 defensive rebounds, and seven steals. Sophomore guard Carson Lutz returns after totaling 183 points, 27 defensive rebounds, 25 assists, and 18 steals. Senior guard Jeremiah Dallas adds further experience after recording 85 points, 48 rebounds, 28 assists, and 18 steals.
Adrian alumnus Jamison Webster ('16) takes over as head coach. Webster previously led the Tecumseh High School boys basketball team, serving in that role since 2019.
Up Ahead
Conference play begins Wednesday, January 6, with Alma hosting Calvin, Albion hosting Olivet, Kalamazoo hosting Adrian, and Trine hosting Hope.
The MIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Presented by Collegiate Credit Union is scheduled for February 23 (first round), February 25 (semifinals), and February 27 (championship). The NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Tournament begins March 5, with the NCAA Championships scheduled for March 18 and 20 at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.