The Great Midwest Athletic Conference has released its 2025-26 men's basketball preseason coaches poll, and Ashland University has been slotted at No. 2.
As announced on Wednesday (Oct. 22) afternoon, the Eagles received 117 voting points and two first-place votes – behind only preseason pacesetter Findlay (126 voting points, eight first-place votes). Thomas More was picked to finish third (112 voting points, two first-place votes).
Ashland returns both of its all-conference players from a season ago, led by senior forward
Maceo Williams, the reigning Great Midwest Player of the Year. Williams averaged 20.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game last winter, shooting 63.8 percent from the field and making 12-of-24 from 3-point range. His 577 points were sixth-most in a season in program history, his scoring average was the highest for an Eagle since newly-minted AU Hall of Famer
Evan Yates in 2011-12, and his 249 rebounds were the most for AU men's basketball since
Aaron Thompson's 283 in 2018-19.
Junior wing
Cooper Davis was a second-team pick a season ago, after averaging 12.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 assist, and making 41.6 percent from the floor, 37.6 percent from 3-point range and 79.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Ashland men's basketball has earned 210 victories and two conference championships, and made four NCAA Division II postseason appearances, over the last 11 seasons. In 2024-25, the Eagles went 15-13 overall and 11-9 in the Great Midwest, and qualified for a conference tournament for the 11
th straight season.
The new season will start on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. vs. Grand Valley State at Owens Community College.
2025-26 GREAT MIDWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Findlay – 126 points (eight first-place votes)
2. ASHLAND UNIVERSITY – 117 points (two first-place votes)
3. Thomas More – 112 points (two first-place votes)
4. Cedarville – 105 points
5. Hillsdale – 81 points
6. Kentucky Wesleyan – 80 points
7. Walsh – 73 points
T8. Lake Erie – 61 points
T8. Ohio Dominican – 61 points
10. Malone – 49 points
11. Northwood – 48 points
12. Tiffin – 22 points
