ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The Ohio Valley Conference released the preseason poll for the 2025-26 season Tuesday morning with Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and Lindenwood University highly ranked.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
The SIUE Cougars are placed third in the conference with 163 total points. They are coming off of a successful season with a 22-12 record, and obtaining the 2025 OVC Conference Championship. SIUE also turned heads by making it to the NCAA National Championship tournament for the first time in school history.
Although the Cougars lost in the first round to the University of Houston, they still proved that they were able to go toe-to-toe with a nationally ranked team. They have 10 seniors returning for the 2025-26 season, including guard Ring Malith.
Malith scored 378 points during the 2025 season, with 46 assists and 27 steals. Senior forward Myles Thompson is another upperclassman who looks to step up for the Cougars in 2026. Last year, the six-foot-seven forward contributed with 192 points and 28 assists.
The Cougars will play St. Ambrose University to start off the 2025-26 season on Sunday, Oct. 26th at 1 p.m. They will also drop their 2025 OVC Championship banner prior to tip off.
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Lindenwood University
The Lions are tied for fifth in the conference, with 100 points. During the 2024-25 season, Lindenwood finished with a 16-17 record. They lost in the second round of the OVC playoffs to Tennessee State University.
Senior guard Anias Futrell and junior guard Mekhi Cooper are the OVC players to watch. Futrell finished the 2024-25 season with 324 points and 30 assists. He also led the team in blocks with 32.
Cooper is a transfer from the University of Miami in Ohio. During his two years there, he scored 392 points, 74 steals, and 172 assists.
The Lions will start their season off, facing Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.
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