WALESKA, Ga.— The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) revealed its annual Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll on Tuesday, and this year's edition had the Cavaliers level on points with another program. According to the release, the Montreat College men's basketball squad landed in a tie for fourth with Milligan University.
 
Both Montreat and Milligan accumulated 96 points in the poll. The pair sits 20 points behind Columbia International University and 16 points ahead of Tennessee Wesleyan University. The University of Pikeville grabbed the top spot in the poll with eight first-place votes and 140 points.
 
Last year, the Cavs amassed a 19-11 (12-8 AAC) record across all countable contests. With their showing, the Cavaliers entered the AAC Tournament with the No. 6 seed. Montreat topped third-seeded CIU in the quarterfinals before ultimately dropping its semifinal clash against Milligan, the eventual postseason champion.
 
The AAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll was voted on by the head coaches of institutions in the league. Teams garnered 13 points for a first-place vote, 12 for second place, 11 for third place and so on until all 13 programs were ranked. The standings were then organized by most points received to least points received.
 
Montreat begins its 2025-26 season on Thursday, Oct. 23 when it welcomes Bob Jones University to town. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. inside McAlister Gymnasium.
 
2025-26 AAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
School (First-Place Votes) – Total Voting Points
1. Pikeville (8) – 140
2. Johnson (3) – 133
3. Columbia International – 116
T4. Montreat – 96
T4. Milligan – 96
6. Tennessee Wesleyan – 80
T7. Reinhardt – 62
T7. Columbia – 62
9. Union Commonwealth – 60
10. Truett McConnell – 57
11. Bryan – 48
12. Spartanburg Methodist – 36
13. Bluefield – 15