WHEELING, W.Va. — The West Liberty University men's basketball team has been picked to finish second in the 2025-26 Mountain East Conference Preseason Poll, the league announced Tuesday during its annual Basketball Media Day at WesBanco Arena.

The Hilltoppers received one first-place vote and 88 points in the coaches' poll, trailing only defending MEC champion Fairmont State, which earned 10 first-place votes after last season's 27-5 campaign. The Falcons edged West Liberty in a memorable triple-overtime MEC Tournament championship game before falling in the NCAA Atlantic Regional.

Despite the narrow runner-up finish, the Hilltoppers once again proved themselves among the nation's elite in 2024-25, posting a 30-5 record, capturing their eighth straight MEC regular-season title, and making their eighth NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance. The program's streak of 16 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances remains an active national record.

This season marks the start of a new chapter on the Hilltop, as Michael Lamberti takes over as head coach following an impressive tenure as both a Hilltopper assistant and a head coach at Coker University.

A former standout player and longtime assistant under Ben Howlett, Lamberti helped guide West Liberty to a 135–21 record during his previous time on staff, highlighted by multiple MEC championships and a national championship appearance in 2023.

Lamberti returns to lead the program he helped shape, bringing head coaching experience and a high-octane offensive system that produced 100.1 points per game at Coker—ranking third nationally.

"I'm honored and excited to lead a program that has meant so much to me personally and professionally," Lamberti said. "West Liberty basketball is built on tradition, culture, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. I can't wait to get started with our players, staff, and the Topper Nation community as we build on that legacy."

Behind Lamberti's leadership, the Hilltoppers look to once again be a force in one of the deepest conferences in Division II. Charleston, Glenville State, and Concord rounded out the top five in the MEC preseason poll, followed by West Virginia State, Frostburg State, and a tie between Wheeling and Davis & Elkins for eighth.

The 2025-26 MEC Basketball Championships will return to WesBanco Arena in Wheeling from March 4–8, concluding with the men's and women's championship games on Sunday, March 8.

2025-26 MEC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll