OTTAWA, Kan. – The 2025-26 KCAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches and Media Polls were released by the conference office, and Ottawa University was picked 10th by the league's coaches and seventh by the media. The Braves earned 69 points in the coaches' poll and 88 points from media voters.

In the Coaches' Poll, Oklahoma Wesleyan University was tabbed as the preseason favorite with 162 points and seven first-place votes. Friends University followed closely in second with 156 points and six first-place votes, while Bethel College and the University of Saint Mary tied for third with 139 points apiece. Bethel received the final first-place vote.

The remainder of the coaches' poll featured Southwestern College (128) in fifth, Evangel University (105) in sixth, McPherson College (81) in seventh, Avila University (78) in eighth, Kansas Wesleyan University (73) in ninth, and Ottawa University (69) in 10th. Sterling College (57), York University (34), Bethany College (33), and Tabor College (20) rounded out the standings.

In the Media Poll, Oklahoma Wesleyan also claimed the top spot with 159 points and six first-place votes, followed by Friends University with 158 points and five first-place votes. The University of Saint Mary earned 137 points and the final first-place vote to take third. Southwestern College (126) and Bethel College (122) completed the top five.

Evangel University (100) was sixth, Ottawa University (88) seventh, Kansas Wesleyan University (86) eighth, McPherson College (73) ninth, and Avila University (63) 10th. The rest of the field included Sterling College (56), Bethany College (43), York University (26), and Tabor College (23).

Ottawa opens the 2025-26 season on Thursday, Oct. 23, in Hesston, Kan., against Hesston College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.