Men’s Basketball Tabbed Sixth in GAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — The Great American Conference has released its 2026-27 Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll on Thursday, with East Central University selected to finish sixth in the league standings as voted on by the conference's 12 head coaches.
Ouachita Baptist University claimed the top spot in the poll with seven first-place votes, while Oklahoma Baptist University received the remaining five first-place votes to finish second. Harding University, the reigning GAC Championship Tournament champion, landed in third, followed by Southern Nazarene University in fourth and Henderson State University in fifth, just ahead of the Tigers.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Arkansas Tech University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Southern Arkansas University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University and the University of Arkansas at Monticello rounded out the poll.
The Tigers enter the 2026-27 campaign looking to build on a 15-14 overall record and a 10-12 mark in conference play from last season. ECU secured the No. 5 seed in its return to the GAC Championship Tournament in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where the Tigers faced No. 4 seed Southern Nazarene in the quarterfinals, falling by a final score of 89-65.
Head coach Daniel Wheeler enters his fifth season at the helm of the ECU men's basketball program, looking to lead a veteran group into the new season. The Tigers return 13 players from last year's squad, providing a strong foundation of experience as ECU prepares for another competitive campaign in the Great American Conference.
Among the key returners are senior forwards
Rustin Coffey and
Brandon Mann, along with senior guards
Jordan England and
Kyler Mann. Coffey returns following an impressive season in which he earned All-GAC Honorable Mention recognition and was named a GAC Elite Scholar Athlete. He led the Tigers in scoring with 380 points, averaging 13.1 points per game, while also pacing the team in rebounding with 113 boards.
Brandon Mann provides a strong presence in the frontcourt after leading ECU in field-goal percentage last season, connecting on 62.3 percent of his attempts. He also led the Tigers in steals with 33, highlighting his impact on both ends of the floor.
England returns as another experienced contributor for the Tigers after ranking second on the team in made three-pointers and free-throw percentage.
Kyler Mann is also set to return to the lineup after missing last season due to injury, adding another veteran presence to ECU's backcourt.
The Tigers will also welcome two transfers to the program in
Christian Payawal from Lamar Community College and
Christian Andrews from Lamar State College–Port Arthur. The additions bring further depth to a roster that features a blend of returning experience and new talent.
Sophomore
Javaun Henderson and junior
Race Herr are among the other key returners for ECU. Both were two of just four Tigers to appear in all 29 games during the 2025-26 season, gaining valuable experience that will help bolster the team's depth heading into the upcoming campaign.
The Tigers will officially tip off the 2026-27 season at home on Monday, Nov. 9, welcoming Sterling College to the Kerr Activities Center for a nonconference matchup scheduled for noon. The contest will serve as ECU's Kids Game, giving local students and young Tiger fans an opportunity to experience college basketball and cheer on the Tigers as they begin the new season.
