FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The University of Olivet men’s basketball team has reached the summit of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) once again, capturing the 2026 regular-season championship with a 12-2 conference record and a 15-10 overall mark entering postseason play.
The title is the Comets’ first outright regular-season championship since 1972 and the seventh in program history. Olivet previously shared the crown in 1973 and 2018, but this year’s squad stands alone atop the standings. The 12 conference victories also tied a program record originally set by the undefeated 1971-72 team that went 12-0 in league play.
Olivet’s rise to the top was fueled by a balanced attack on both ends of the floor. The Comets concluded the regular season as the MIAA leader in points allowed (964), field-goal percentage (.495), three-point field-goal percentage (.365), and total blocks (62), averaging 4.43 per game. Their efficiency offensively and discipline defensively proved to be a winning combination throughout conference play.
Individually, Olivet featured standout performances across the roster. Sophomore forward Porter Kretschman dominated the glass, leading the MIAA with 140 rebounds and 10.0 boards per game while pacing the team with a .744 free-throw percentage. Freshman forward Sean Shenker emerged as one of the league’s top perimeter threats, leading the conference with a .395 three-point percentage (30-of-76).
Junior guard Nathan Richardson delivered a dynamic all-around season, leading the conference with 33 steals (2.4 per game) while topping the Comets in field goals made (81), total points (209), and assists (61). Sophomore guard Sam Howard added consistency at the line with a team-best 40 free throws made, and junior center Conner Schipper anchored the defense with 25 blocks.
With the regular-season championship secured, Olivet now sets its sights on the MIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Presented by Collegiate Credit Union. The top-seeded Comets receive a first-round bye and will host both the semifinals on February 27 and the championship game on February 28.
Olivet will face the winner of No. 4 Trine University and No. 5 Albion College in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.