FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The West Liberty University men's basketball team has been selected as the Mountain East Conference preseason favorite for the 2026-27 season, earning 11 of the 12 possible first-place votes in the league's preseason coaches poll announced Tuesday at MEC Basketball Media Day at WesBanco Arena.
The Hilltoppers received 121 points to finish atop the poll, which was determined by a vote of the conference's 12 head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
West Liberty enters the new campaign following another championship season in 2025-26. The Hilltoppers finished 27-5 overall and 18-2 in conference play, capturing the MEC championship and extending the program's NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament appearance streak to 17 consecutive seasons.
West Liberty advanced to the NCAA Atlantic Regional as the No. 2 seed but saw its season end with a 52-46 loss to Virginia Union in the opening round in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Glenville State received the remaining first-place vote and finished tied with Fairmont State for second in the preseason poll, with both programs earning 101 points. Charleston followed in fourth place with 98 points, while Wheeling rounded out the top five with 84 points.
The remainder of the poll featured Concord in sixth with 61 points, followed by Frostburg State (56), West Virginia State (47), Shawnee State (46), Davis & Elkins (43), Point Park (23) and West Virginia Wesleyan (11).
The preseason recognition sets the stage for another highly competitive campaign in the MEC, with West Liberty looking to defend its conference crown under head coach Mike Lamberti.
The 2026-27 MEC men's basketball season gets underway Nov. 4, when West Virginia Wesleyan hosts Penn State Greater Allegheny. West Liberty will open its season Nov. 7 at the Small College Basketball Tip-Off in Lakeland, Florida.
2026-27 MEC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
| 1 |
West Liberty |
121 (11 first-place votes) |
| T-2 |
Glenville State |
101 (1 first-place vote) |
| T-2 |
Fairmont State |
101 |
| 4 |
Charleston |
98 |
| 5 |
Wheeling |
84 |
| 6 |
Concord |
61 |
| 7 |
Frostburg State |
56 |
| 8 |
West Virginia State |
47 |
| 9 |
Shawnee State |
46 |
| 10 |
Davis & Elkins |
43 |
| 11 |
Point Park |
23 |
| 12 |
West Virginia Wesleyan |
11 |
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at
westliberty.edu.
