The Ohio Valley Conference released the preseason poll for the 2025-26 OVC Men's Basketball season on Tuesday morning with the Lions coming in tied for fifth with 100 total points.

Little Rock is projected to finish first in the preseason poll, receiving 12 first place votes and 188 overall points, followed by SEMO (177), SIUE (163), and Tennessee State (135). The top four schools in the poll all received at least one first place vote.

The Lions come in tied with Morehead State at five with 100 points and rounding out the poll is Tennessee Tech (80), UT Martin (79), Southern Indiana (67, 2 first place votes), Eastern Illinois (63), and Western Illinois (57). 

The Black and Gold also had two players who were named to the OVC preseason players to watch list in Senior Guard Anias Futrell and Junior Guard Mekhi Cooper. Futrell is coming off a great Junior campaign where he averaged 12.8 ppg in 29 appearances and led the team in blocks with 32. The native of St. Louis, Missouri scored in double figures in 19 games a season ago and will look to continue that trend during his Senior year. 

Cooper, a transfer from Miami (OH), started 63 games for the Redhawks over the last two seasons and has a career three point percentage of 35.9%. He started in all 34 games in 2024-2025 where he averaged 5.8 ppg, 2.7 apg, and 2.5 rpg over 802 minutes played. The native of Bolingbrook, Illinois also has 74 career steals and will look to be an all-around player for the Lions in 2025-2026. 

Lindenwood will tip off their season in 15 days as they host Southern Illinois on Wednesday, October 29 at 7 p.m. in Hyland arena. Tickets for that game can be purchased here.

OVC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll 
1. Little Rock (12 first-place) 188
2. Southeast Missouri (6) 177
3. SIUE (1) 163
4. Tennessee State (1) 135
5. Lindenwood 100
    Morehead State 100
7. Tennessee Tech 80
8. UT Martin 79
9. Southern Indiana (2) 67
10. Eastern Illinois 63
11. Western Illinois 57