Haddonfield. N.J. – Marymount University was tabbed as the front runner for this year's AEC Men's Basketball Championship, as voted on by the league's Head Coaches, in the preseason poll.
The Saints, who were the top seed in last year's conference championship, bowed out in the semifinals after a loss to eventual champions Neumann. Head Coach Chris Rogers is in his 18th season at the helm, and will return a Second Team All-Conference selection in the now Senior CJ Highsmith Jr.. Highsmith Jr., posted an average of 11 points and 5.8 rebounds last season. Jayden Wiggins, who sppeared in 22 games and recorded 72 points, 31 rebounds, and 18 assists, returns for his sophomore year.
Last year's runners-up, Gwynedd Mercy will look to make its way back to the Championship game this season, following an impressive first year under Head Coach Darnell "Speedy" Artis. Bruce Smith, who started 26 games last year as a sophomore, averaged 12.2 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, and 1.2 steals per game, while making a team-high 128 field goals (128-of-276; .464). The Griffins also return Mazen Sayed, a critical player off the bench who posted 265 points on the season.
The Cyclone of Centenary received the final two first place votes while totaling 17 points. Highlighted by senior Kenneth Rankin, a 2025-26 First Team All-Conference selection who averaged 16.3 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game, Centenary will keep their eyes on a championship appearance, bowing out in the semifinals last year.
Immaculata received 15 points to land fourth, with Saint Elizabeth receiving eight points to finish fifth. Rounding out the group was Pratt, with seven points.
Teams tip off regular season play on Friday, November 6th, with Pratt taking on John Jay, Marymount hosting Johns Hopkins, and Centenary facing off against The College of New Jersey. Saint Elizabeth travels to St. Joseph's Long Island on Saturday, November 7th, along with Immaculata taking on Penn State Harrisburg. Gwynedd Mercy begins play on November 11, hosting Arcadia.
Conference play begins on Saturday, January 16th, with Centenary hosting Pratt, Immaculata hosting Gwynedd Mercy, and Marymount heading to Saint Elizabeth.
The 2026-27 Atlantic East Tournament is set to begin with semifinals on Wednesday, February 24th, with the first seed hosting the fourth seed, and the second seed hosting the third seed. Both winning teams will advance to the championship, located on campus of the highest remaining seed, on Saturday, February 27th.
Men's Basketball Coaches’ Poll
1. Marymount - 24 (4)
2. Gwynedd Mercy - 19
3. Centenary - 17 (2)
4. Immaculata - 15
5. Saint Elizabeth - 8
6. Pratt - 7
ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising six institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy and Immaculata Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary and Saint Elizabeth Universities in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.
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