Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
HILBERT, Wisconsin – Following its first Midwest Conference title in 17 years, the Grinnell College men’s basketball program has been selected to defend its crown as the league’s preseason poll was announced on Wednesday morning.
The Pioneers – winners of back-to-back MWC Tournament titles – received 80 points and eight first-place votes. Grinnell will be led by Gabe Garcia and Tyler Copes in 2026-27, as the latter was named last year’s defensive player of the year and newcomer of the year in the league.
Monmouth College, who came up one game short of the NCAA Tournament last year, has been picked to finish second. The Fighting Scots received 74 points and the remaining two first-place votes.
Lawrence University (59 points) finished just ahead of Illinois College (57), while the top half of the poll was rounded out by Lake Forest College (50 points). Luther College (34 points), Cornell College (32 points), Knox College (28 points), Ripon College (21 points) and Beloit College (15 points) occupied the sixth through tenth spots in the results.
Four league teams will tip off the 2026-27 campaign on Friday, November 6. MWC play begins on Saturday, November 21 with eight of the 10 teams in action.
For the first time, the Midwest Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament features an expanded field of six teams who will compete for the tournament title and the automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament. Quarterfinal action kicks off on Tuesday, February 23 while the semifinals and finals are scheduled for Friday and Saturday (February 26-27).
Full preseason poll results and quick facts for all 10 league teams can be found below.
2026-27 MWC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Grinnell College (8 first-place votes) - 80 points
2. Monmouth College (2) - 74 points
3. Lawrence University - 59 points
4. Illinois College - 57 points
5. Lake Forest College - 50 points
6. Luther College - 34 points
7. Cornell College - 32 points
8. Knox College - 28 points
9. Ripon College - 21 points
10. Beloit College - 15 points
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Josh Hinz (8th Season)
2025-26: 5-20 (overall); 0-16 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Dave Schlabaugh (10th Season)
2025-26: 6-19 (overall); 5-11 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Kylen Bonner (Sophomore, Guard)
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: David Arseneault Jr. (9th Season)
2025-26: 22-4 (overall); 15-1 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Gabe Garcia (Senior, Guard); Tyler Copes (Sophomore, Forward,
2026 MWC Newcomer of the Year, 2026 MWC Defensive Player of the Year)
Illinois College Blueboys
Head Coach: Dylan Dudley (1st Season)
2025-26: 12-14 (overall); 9-7 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Corey Harvey (3rd Season)
2025-26: 10-15 (overall); 6-10 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Josh Stewart (Senior, Wing)
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Matt Griggs (3rd Season)
2025-26: 16-10 (overall); 11-5 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Casey Korn (6th Season)
2025-26: 14-11 (overall); 7-9 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Casey Schoenecker (Senior, Forward)
Luther College Norse
Head Coach: Mark Franzen (21st Season)
2025-26: 9-16 (overall); 4-12 (A-R-C)
All-Conference Returnees: Andre Palavra (Junior, Guard)
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Todd Skrivseth (16th Season)
2025-26: 20-7 (overall); 14-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Zay Brown (Junior, Guard,
2025 MWC Newcomer of the Year, 2025 MWC Player of the Year, 2026 MWC Player of the Year); Cameron Thomas (Junior, Guard)
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Kenny Finco (4th Season)
2025-26: 5-20 (overall); 5-11 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None