MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's basketball team has been picked to finish second in the 2026–27 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Coaches Preseason Poll, announced Thursday. Head Coach
Paul Grove enters his 25th season with the program.
Last season, the Cougars finished second in the conference with a record of 8-4 and an overall record of 14-13. The Cougars return two UMAC All-Conference First Team honorees in
Carvin Fish and
Kaden Pieper. Fish was also named to the Region IX All-Region Third Team.
Minnesota Morris opens the season on Nov. 7, as the Cougars travel to Dubuque, Iowa, for a 5 p.m. tipoff against Loras College. The Cougars' home opener is Nov. 16 against Trinity Bible College.
UMAC Preseason Coaches Poll
| Place |
School |
Points |
| 1 |
Bethany Lutheran (4) |
33 |
| 2 |
Minnesota Morris (2) |
31 |
| 3 |
Crown |
25 |
| 4 |
North Central (1) |
21 |
| 5 |
Martin Luther |
20 |
| 6 |
Northwestern |
9 |
| 7 |
UW-Superior |
8 |
