Washburn Men's Basketball Earns No. 2 Preseason Ranking

The Ichabods receive national recognition in the latest preseason poll released by the NABC.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Basketball

Washburn Men's Basketball Earns No. 2 Preseason Ranking

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The National Association of Basketball Coaches has ranked the Washburn men's basketball team No. 2 in its latest preseason poll. The Ichabods head into the upcoming season with high expectations following the announcement.

Why it matters

This ranking signals high expectations for the Topeka-based team as they prepare for a competitive slate of early-season games. The national recognition highlights the program's strong standing heading into the 2026-27 campaign.

The NABC preseason poll places the Washburn Ichabods at No. 2 nationally, alongside upcoming opponents Point Loma at No. 11 and West Liberty at No. 4. These rankings reflect the consensus of the coaching association ahead of the season tip-off.

The players

Washburn Ichabods

This is the men's basketball team representing Washburn University located in Topeka, Kansas.

National Association of Basketball Coaches

This professional organization supports basketball coaches at all levels and publishes national rankings for collegiate programs.

Point Loma

This university's basketball program is entering the season ranked No. 11 in the NABC preseason poll.

West Liberty

This university's basketball program is entering the season ranked No. 4 in the NABC preseason poll.

The details

The Washburn squad, based in Topeka, is preparing for a challenging opening weekend in Lakeland, Florida. The team will face two highly-ranked opponents, Point Loma and West Liberty, to kick off their 2026-27 schedule.

October 27, 2026: The NABC released the official preseason poll.
November 7, 2026: Washburn opens the season against Point Loma.
November 8, 2026: Washburn competes in their second game against West Liberty.

Season Trajectory

This high ranking places Washburn as a central figure in the collegiate basketball landscape and sets the standard for their conference standing. The early-season test against other top-ranked opponents will serve as a crucial barometer for the team's ability to live up to these national expectations.

The Ichabods will immediately face ranked competition, with the game against No. 11 Point Loma on November 7 serving as a key test for the squad. Fans can track the team's performance across the two-day event in Lakeland to see if the No. 2 ranking holds up against fellow top-tier programs.

The takeaway

Early season rankings are often subject to change based on how teams perform in marquee non-conference matchups. Coaches and players typically use these preseason expectations as motivation while focusing on the grind of the regular season schedule.