MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The UT Southern men's basketball team has been picked eighth in the 2026-27 SSAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll, as announced by the conference office.
The Firehawks garnered 94 points in a preseason poll that showcased the depth and competitiveness of the Southern States Athletic Conference. Four different teams received first-place votes, highlighting what is expected to be one of the NAIA's most challenging basketball conferences.
UT Southern enters the season under the leadership of Andy Sharpe, the program's all-time winningest head coach. Sharpe owns a career record of 155-71 across seven seasons leading the Firehawks and has guided the program to a sustained tradition of success during his two tenures at the helm.
The Firehawks are positioned ahead of Mobile, Point, Thomas, Blue Mountain, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and Andrew College in the preseason rankings, while sitting just outside a tightly-packed group of teams expected to contend near the top of the conference standings.
Defending regular-season champion William Carey was selected second in the poll with 168 points and five first-place votes, while Loyola claimed the top spot with 181 points and six first-place votes. Faulkner and Dalton State rounded out the top four.
The Firehawks will face a demanding conference schedule featuring multiple matchups against teams ranked ahead of them in the preseason poll, including meetings with Loyola, William Carey, Faulkner, Dalton State, Life, Brewton-Parker, and Xavier. Those contests will provide UT Southern with numerous opportunities to climb the conference standings throughout the season.
The 2027 SSAC Men's Basketball Championship, presented by Chappy's Deli, is scheduled for Feb. 23-27 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
2026-27 SSAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
- Loyola (181 points, 6 first-place votes)
- William Carey (168, 5)
- Faulkner (165, 2)
- Dalton State (159, 1)
- Life (140)
- Brewton-Parker (130)
- Xavier (121)
- UT Southern (94)
- Mobile (90)
- Point (64)
- Thomas (62)
- Blue Mountain (46)
- Abraham Baldwin (33)
- Andrew (17)
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