The Calvin University men's basketball team tied for third place in the MIAA Preseason Poll released by the conference on Tuesday.
 
The poll, which is voted on by coaches across the country, has the Knights tied with Hope College for third place with 37 total points, including one first-place vote. The University of Olivet was picked to win the conference with 46 points and six first-place votes. Trine University came in second with 40 points and one first-place vote.
 
Calvin finished the 2025-26 season with a 19-8 record overall and tied for third place in the league standings with a 10-4 MIAA record.

This season, under the direction of head coach Bill Sall, the Knights return starters Jordan Scott (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) and Parker Swartz (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview/Ohio Dominican) from that team. Swartz led the returning Calvin players with an average of 9.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game and 43 assists last season. Scott averaged 8.7 points per game and recorded 37 assists.
 
Justin McIllwain (Holland, Mich./Hamilton) played in all 27 games last season (starting four) and averaged 4.2 points in 15.3 minutes per game. A host of talented newcomers and returners will battle for the other starting spots and rotation minutes, as the Knights replace departed senior starters Jalen Overway, Trevin Winkle and Luka Ressler.
 
Calvin will open the season on Friday, November 6, when it travels to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for a game scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM (CT).