Get ready for a basketball season that’s already sparking debates! UT Martin has been ranked 8th in the OVC preseason poll, but is that where they’ll stay? The Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) has spoken, and the 2025-26 season promises to be a rollercoaster of surprises and rivalries. In a vote by head coaches and communication directors, Little Rock has been crowned the preseason favorite for the second year in a row—but here’s where it gets controversial: do they really deserve the top spot again? The Trojans snagged 12 of 22 first-place votes, totaling 188 points, but Southeast Missouri, last year’s regular season champs, aren’t far behind with 177 points and six first-place votes. And this is the part most people miss: SIUE and Tennessee State, both with a single first-place vote, are lurking in third and fourth place, ready to shake things up.
Lindenwood and Morehead State tied for fifth with 100 points each, while Tennessee Tech secured seventh place. UT Martin’s 8th-place ranking has raised eyebrows—is this team underrated, or is the poll spot-on? Southern Indiana, despite snagging two first-place votes, landed in ninth, followed by Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois rounding out the poll.
The OVC’s 11 teams will battle through a 20-game conference schedule, culminating in the 2026 OVC Basketball Championships (March 4-7) at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana—a venue that’s locked in through 2032. But let’s dive deeper: with Little Rock favored again, are we overlooking the potential dark horses like SIUE or Tennessee State? And what does UT Martin’s 8th-place ranking really mean for their season?
Here’s the full preseason poll for your debate fuel:
1. Little Rock (12 first-place) - 188 points
2. Southeast Missouri (6) - 177 points
3. SIUE (1) - 163 points
4. Tennessee State (1) - 135 points
5. Lindenwood - 100 points
Morehead State - 100 points
7. Tennessee Tech - 80 points
8. UT Martin - 79 points
9. Southern Indiana (2) - 67 points
10. Eastern Illinois - 63 points
11. Western Illinois - 57 points
Now, here’s the burning question: Do you agree with these rankings, or is there a team that’s being slept on? Let’s hear your take in the comments—this season’s narrative is far from written!
