Oklahoma City – Texas Wesleyan is poised for a strong season in the 2025-26 Sooner Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Poll, securing the sixth spot with 74 points as voted on by the league's coaches, while Nelson and Langston share the top position.
Nelson and Langston tied for No. 1 with 113 points each, Nelson earning six first-place votes and Langston five. Nelson, coming off a 24-9 overall record and a 19-5 league mark, claimed the SAC regular season title last year. The Lions reached the conference championship game, falling to Langston, and advanced to the second round of the NAIA Tournament before losing to LSU Alexandria.
Langston, with a 26-7 overall record and a 17-7 league mark, tied for second in the regular season. The Lions won the conference tournament and reached the NAIA Tournament quarterfinals, where they fell to College of Idaho.
Wayland Baptist took third in the poll with 96 points, following a 17-13 overall record and a 16-8 league mark, tying for fourth last season. The Pioneers reached the conference semifinals, losing to Nelson.
Mid-America Christian landed fourth with 90 points, having tied Langston for second in the regular season with a 22-9 overall record and 17-7 in league play. The Evangels fell to Langston in the conference tournament semifinals and lost in the first round of the NAIA Tournament to Oklahoma Wesleyan.
2025 SAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Nelson 113 (6)
Langston 113 (5)
3. Wayland Baptist 96
4. Mid-America Christian 90
5. John Brown 85 (1)
6. Texas Wesleyan 74
7. Central Christian 66
8. Science & Arts 38
9. Oklahoma City 36
Panhandle State 36
11. College of the Ozarks 33
12. Southwestern Christian 12
