UW-Stevens Point Leads WIAC Preseason Basketball Poll
The Pointers top the conference rankings following a vote by league coaches and sports information directors.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Basketball
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The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has released its 2026-27 men's basketball preseason predictions. UW-Stevens Point earned the top spot in the poll after a vote conducted by head coaches and sports information directors.
Why it matters
The poll sets the tone for a competitive season within the conference. The tournament winner will ultimately earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, raising the stakes for every game.
UW-Stevens Point enters the season with 29 regular-season championships to its name. The team currently holds the No. 8 spot in the D3hoops.com Top 25 Preseason Poll, while UW-La Crosse holds the No. 18 ranking.
The players
UW-Stevens Point
This university is a member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and holds a program record of 29 regular-season titles.
UW-La Crosse
This athletic program is a member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and currently ranks 18th in the national preseason poll.
Steve Schweer
He is the newly appointed head coach for the men's basketball team at UW-Oshkosh and previously led Illinois College for eight years.
The details
The season structure features a 14-game conference schedule with tournament games hosted by the higher-seeded team. Leadership changes also mark the season, as Steve Schweer steps in as the new head coach at UW-Oshkosh following eight years at Illinois College.
Timeline
Nonconference basketball schedules begin on Nov. 6.
The 14-game conference basketball schedule starts on Jan. 2.
WIAC Tournament dates are scheduled for Feb. 23, 25 and 27.
Season Trajectory
These preseason rankings establish the initial hierarchy for the WIAC as teams compete for the conference title and an automatic NCAA bid. The poll success influences the perceived path toward the postseason for top-ranked programs like UW-Stevens Point.
The preseason rankings provide the baseline expectations for teams competing for the automatic NCAA bid. Fans should track early nonconference results to see if the poll's favorites maintain their projected dominance.
The takeaway
The upcoming season represents a fresh start for conference programs as they build toward the February tournament. Teams aiming for the NCAA bid will need to leverage their nonconference schedules to prepare for the rigorous 14-game conference grind.
What happens next
Nonconference play begins on Nov. 6, followed by the start of the conference schedule on Jan. 2 and the tournament rounds on Feb. 23, 25, and 27.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming season, visit the Wisconsin Basketball page.
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