St. Cloud State Ranked 22nd in Preseason Poll
The Huskies open their basketball season ranked among the top 25 teams in the national Division II standings.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Basketball
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St. Cloud State University begins its basketball season ranked 22nd in the NCAA Division II national preseason poll. Additionally, standout player Wyatt Hawks earned the South Division preseason Player of the Year honor.
Why it matters
The ranking recognizes St. Cloud State's status as the defending regular-season conference champion. This national acknowledgment sets high expectations for the team as they prepare to defend their title against regional rivals.
St. Cloud State enters the season ranked 22nd nationally, while Minnesota State-Mankato holds the 9th spot. Within the conference, Minnesota State-Mankato is ranked 1st, St. Cloud State 2nd, and Minnesota-Duluth 3rd.
The players
St. Cloud State University
This public university located in St. Cloud is known for its competitive athletic programs within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Wyatt Hawks
He is an elite basketball player who was named the 2025-26 NSIC Defensive Player of the Year and the current South Division preseason Player of the Year.
The details
Defending regular-season conference champion St. Cloud State enters the year with significant momentum, bolstered by the recognition of Wyatt Hawks. Hawks previously earned the 2025-26 NSIC Defensive Player of the Year award before securing his current preseason accolade.
Timeline
The NSIC preseason poll was released in October 2026.
St. Cloud State plays St. John's University on October 29, 2026.
The season opener at Minnesota-Crookston occurs on November 9, 2026.
The home opener at Halenbeck Hall is scheduled for November 24, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This national ranking validates St. Cloud State's position as a primary contender within the conference race. Their performance relative to top-ranked Minnesota State-Mankato will define their standing for a potential postseason run.
Huskies fans can anticipate high-stakes matchups early, starting with the exhibition against St. John's University. The team must navigate a challenging conference schedule that features two other nationally recognized or receiving-vote programs in Minnesota State-Mankato and Minnesota-Duluth.
The takeaway
St. Cloud State enters the new campaign with significant expectations as a reigning conference champion. Fans should look for the team to utilize its defensive leadership to maintain its high national ranking throughout the upcoming season.
Further reading
For more on the team's upcoming schedule and roster updates, visit the Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 1390 Granite City Sports.
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