CORBIN, Ky. – Truett McConnell men's basketball was picked seventh in the 2026-27 Appalachian Athletic Conference men's basketball preseason poll, the conference announced Tuesday.
The Bears finished the 2025-26 season in eighth place in the AAC standings with a 9-10 conference record and a 12-16 mark overall. They were eliminated in the first round of the AAC Tournament to No. 9 seeded Bryan 62-57.
Pikeville is the top ranked team after finishing the regular season with an 18-1 record last season. The Bears have eight first-place votes and 159 points. Defending tournament champion Johnson is second with three first place votes while third place Columbia International and fourth place Union Commonwealth also have a single first place vote.
TMU will start its season on Tuesday, Oct. 27 with a game vs. Talladega at Benjamin F. Brady Arena. It starts AAC play in the same venue on Nov. 11 vs. Bryan.
2026-27 AAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Pikeville (8) – 159 points
2. Johnson (3) – 154 points
3. Columbia International (1) – 136 points
4. Union Commonwealth (1) – 122 points
5. Tennessee Wesleyan – 118 points
6. Montreat – 109 points
7. Truett McConnell – 91 points
8. Bryan – 76 points
9. Milligan – 59 points
10. Reinhardt – 51 points
11. Columbia College – 49 points
12. Spartanburg Methodist – 39 points
13. Bluefield – 20 points
