HADDONFIELD, N.J. – Neumann University was picked first by the coaches in the 2025-26 Atlantic East Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll. The Knights received 46 total points and four first place votes.

Last year’s champions, Neumann, will feature five transfers, four returners, and four first-years. Most notably, the 2024 Atlantic East Conference Player of the Year and Tournament MVP, Donte Dupriest returns for his senior year. The Philadelphia, Pa., native was also named to the D3hoops.com Region 5 Second Team. In his 2024 campaign, Dupriest finished tied for 16th in Division III with 13 double-doubles, while setting the program record of 14.4 rebounds per game.  DJ Earl, a 2024 second team All-Conference guard returns alongside Dupriest. Earl led the conference with 17.4 points per game last season.

Landing in second, just behind the Knights, was Marymount who received three first place votes and a total of 44 points. The 2024 AEC Tournament runners up return Reuben McEachern, who received Defensive Player of the Year honors last season. The Saints roster will be composed of 10 underclassmen and seven upperclassmen. Chris Rogers enters his 17th season and will look to continue his postseason dominance, having made it into the Atlantic East Championship match for three consecutive years.

Taking third in the poll is Gwynedd Mercy with 30 points. The Griffins will be under the guidance of Darnell “Speedy” Artis, a 2016 graduate of Gwynedd Mercy. Artis is a 2023 Gwynedd Mercy University Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and enjoyed a strong career with the Harlem Globetrotters.  DJ Johnson, the 2023 Rookie of the Year, will look to guide the Griffins to postseason play.

Marywood landed in fourth place with 27 points. The Pacers return two starters from the 24-25 lineup as they hope to lean on new talent to step up. They bowed out to eventual champions, Neumann, in the semifinals of the Atlantic East tournament a season ago.

In fifth place, and receiving the final first place vote, was Centenary. Last year’s Coaching Staff of the Year was able to generate a strong push, making it into the first round of playoffs and recording nine more wins than the year prior. The Cyclones return first team All-Conference honoree Kenneth Rankin, alongside a handful of impact players.

Immaculata and Saint Elizabeth landed in fifth and sixth place after receiving 22 and 19 votes, respectively. The Mighty Macs will be under the tutelage of first year Head Coach Kyle Stramara, who comes to Immaculata from Eastern University. Saint Elizabeth, in its inaugural Atlantic East campaign, will hope to make postseason play.

Pratt rounds out the field, having received 10 votes. The Cannoneers return 2024 Rookie of the Year Thomas Graetz.

Marymount, Marywood and Neumann all begin non-conference play on Friday, November 7. Centenary, Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, and Pratt hit the court the following day, Saturday, November 8, before Saint Elizabeth begins its season on Tuesday, November 11. 

Conference play will commence on Wednesday, January 7 with Gwynedd Mercy traveling to Pratt, Immaculata playing at Neumann, Marywood heading to Centenary, and Saint Elizabeth hosting Marymount.

The 2025-26 Atlantic East Tournament is set to begin with the first round contests on Monday, February 23, followed by the semifinals on Wednesday, February 25, and the championship match on Saturday, February 28.

Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Neumann - 46 (4)
2. Marymount - 44 (3) 
3. Gwynedd Mercy - 30 
4. Marywood - 27 
5. Centenary - 26 (1)
6. Immaculata - 22
7. Saint Elizabeth - 19
8. Pratt - 10

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