PORTLAND, Ore. - After reaching the GNAC Championships semifinals a season ago, the Central Washington University men's basketball team has been selected second in the 2026-27 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, released Thursday by the conference office.
 
The Wildcats received 84 points and one first-place vote, finishing just behind defending GNAC regular-season and tournament champion Saint Martin's, which earned 88 points and six first-place votes. Northwest Nazarene rounded out the top three with 80 points and three first-place votes.
 
Under ninth-year head coach Brandon Rinta, Central enters the season looking to build on a 16-15 campaign in 2025-26 that included a trip to the GNAC Championships semifinals. The Wildcats secured a first-round tournament victory over Seattle Pacific before falling to eventual conference champion Saint Martin's.
 
Although the Wildcats finished tied for fourth in the conference standings last season at 9-9, they return a strong core that helped close the year with eight wins over their final 13 games. The 'Cats will look to lean on experienced returners including junior guards Elijah Williams, Jamari Harris, and Jalen Childs, along with senior standout Bradley Swillie, who ranked second on the team in scoring last season at 14.6 points per game.
 
The Wildcats also bring back several key contributors in the frontcourt, highlighted by sophomore forward Garrett Marrs and senior forward Michael Ojo, while adding impactful newcomers to the roster. Fifth-year guards Chaydon Stone and King-Njhsanni Wilhite headline a talented transfer class expected to make an immediate impact.
 
CWU opens the 2026-27 season by hosting the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic at Nicholson Arena. The Wildcats begin the campaign against Chico State on Oct. 30 before facing Cal State San Bernardino on Oct. 31 and Lubbock Christian on Nov. 1.
 
GNAC play begins in early December, with the top six teams advancing to the 2027 GNAC Championships, scheduled for March 4-6 in Nampa, Idaho.
 
2026-27 GNAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rk.      Team (1st Place Votes)      Pts      25-26 Rec.    25-26 GNAC Rec. (Finish)
1          Saint Martin's (6)                  88        26-6                15-3 (1st)
2          Central Washington (1)       84        16-15              9-9 (T4th)
3          Northwest Nazarene (3)      80        18-11              12-6 (T2nd)
4          Alaska Anchorage                62        21-11              12-6 (T2nd)
5          Montana State Billings        61        20-11              9-9 (T4th)
6          Alaska Fairbanks                  56        15-14              9-9 (T4th)
7          Western Washington           47        13-16              7-11 (8th)
8          Seattle Pacific                       36        14-12              9-9 (T4th)
9          Western Oregon                   19        9-18                4-14 (T9th)
10        Simon Fraser                        17        7-21                4-14 (T9th)
 

The full 2026-27 CWU Men's Basketball schedule can be found HERE

The full GNAC release can be found HERE