ATHENS, Tenn. — The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) released its 2026 Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday afternoon, with Montreat College earning the No. 6 spot among the league's 13 programs.

The Cavaliers received 109 points in the voting process, finishing nine points behind Tennessee Wesleyan University and 18 points ahead of Truett McConnell University. The University of Pikeville topped the poll with 159 points and eight first-place votes.

Montreat finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 15-13 overall record (10-9 AAC), earning the No. 6 seed in the AAC Tournament. The Cavs' postseason journey ended in the quarterfinals with a loss to Johnson University, which went on to win the tournament title.

The 2026 AAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll was voted on by the head coaches of institutions in the league. Teams received 13 points for a first-place vote, 12 for second place, 11 for third place and so on until all 13 teams were ranked. Programs were then ordered by most points received to least points received.

Montreat is slated open its 2026-27 campaign on Saturday, Oct. 24, with a road matchup against Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Ky. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.

AAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
School (First-Place Votes) – Total Voting Points
1. Pikeville (8) – 159
2. Johnson (3) – 154
3. Columbia International (1) – 136
4. Union Commonwealth (1) – 122
5. Tennessee Wesleyan – 118
6. Montreat – 109
7. Truett McConnell – 91
8. Bryan – 76
9. Milligan – 59
10. Reinhardt – 51
11. Columbia – 49
12. Spartanburg Methodist – 39
13. Bluefield – 20