GAC Basketball 2026-2027

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Another year of basketball in the gac!

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Preseason GAC Coaches Poll had

Rank	Team
1	Ouachita Baptist
2	Oklahoma Baptist
3	Harding
4	Southern Nazarene
5	Henderson State
6	East Central
7	Southeastern Oklahoma State
8	Arkansas Tech
9	Southwestern Oklahoma State
9	Southern Arkansas
11	Northwestern Oklahoma State
12	Arkansas-Monticello

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Ouachita Baptist Tigers

GAC Preseason Ranking: No. 1

Ouachita Baptist enters 2026-27 looking to build on a 23-7 season and an 18-4 conference record. Despite falling in the GAC Tournament semifinals, the Tigers return with championship expectations under head coach Dennis Nutt.

The Tigers return key contributors, including junior guard Crew Flowers (11.0 PPG) and forward Christian Parks (9.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG), who earned GAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. The biggest addition is graduate forward Hobert Grayson, the 2024-25 GAC Player of the Year, who returns after spending a season at Ole Miss.

With an experienced frontcourt and proven scoring options, Ouachita has the pieces to compete for a conference championship. How quickly its newcomers fit into the rotation could determine just how high the Tigers can climb.

2026-27 Outlook: GAC Championship Contender
Player to Watch: Hobert Grayson
Biggest Strength: Frontcourt experience and talent.

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Oklahoma Baptist Bison

GAC Preseason Ranking: No. 2

Oklahoma Baptist enters the 2026-27 season looking to build on an outstanding year that ended with a Division II Final Four appearance. The Bison will look to remain among the nation’s top programs under head coach Jason Eaker while navigating significant roster turnover.

The Bison bring in a mix of transfers and young talent, including senior guard Seth Grandberry, Junior guard Austin Coner, and 7-foot-2, junior center BIG E MADRID also gives Oklahoma Baptist an intriguing interior presence that teams have to account for.

With a challenging nonconference schedule featuring nationally ranked opponents Cal State East Bay and Lander, the Bison will have opportunities to prepare for another postseason run. Replacing last year’s production will be a challenge, but the combination of size and young talent gives Oklahoma Baptist plenty of potential.

2026-27 Outlook: GAC Championship Contender
Player to Watch: Austin Coner
Biggest Strength: Erik Madrid and Dynamic Guard play.

OKBU looked great in their first two games with a close loss to CS East Bay and a good win over Lander both top 10 ranked teams.

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Harding Bisons

GAC Preseason Ranking: No. 3

Harding enters the 2026-27 season looking to defend its status as a conference power after winning back-to-back GAC Tournament championships and earning consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament appearances. The Bisons have opened the year 2-2 against a challenging nonconference schedule, giving them an early test against several quality opponents.

Harding showed its potential at the Midwest Region Tip-Off Challenge. After opening with a competitive 75-69 loss to No. 17 Grand Valley State, the Bisons responded with a convincing 75-59 win over Northern Michigan. Reggie Webster led the way with 24 points, while Marko Rangan added 17. Harding followed that performance with a narrow 66-65 victory over Central Oklahoma. The Bisons then fell 96-78 to No. 25 Alabama-Huntsville. Despite the final margin, Harding was within one point midway through the second half before UAH pulled away.

Webster looks ready to take another step after earning GAC Freshman of the Year honors last season. Rangan and the rest of the returning group will be important as Harding works to replace key pieces from its championship teams. The Bisons’ early schedule has already exposed them to high-level competition, which should help prepare them for another run at the top of the GAC.

2026-27 Outlook: GAC Championship Contender
Player to Watch: Reggie Webster
Biggest Strength: Proven winning culture and competitive experience.

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Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm

GAC Preseason Ranking: No. 4

Southern Nazarene enters the 2026-27 season looking to finally get over the championship hump after finishing as the GAC Tournament runner-up for the third consecutive year. The Crimson Storm went 23-8 last season before falling to Harding 73-68 in the championship game. With several key contributors graduating, head coach BJ Foster faces the challenge of rebuilding a roster that has consistently competed near the top of the conference.

The roster features significant turnover, with nine newcomers joining the program. Redshirt senior Joe Mpoyo and senior Brady Cook provide valuable experience, while newcomers Caleb Asante, Travis Hightower, and Mehki Thomas will be important pieces as the team develops its identity. Mpoyo returns after averaging 9.7 points per game last season, giving the Storm an experienced scoring option.

Southern Nazarene has the talent to remain competitive in the GAC, but replacing the production of Baron Bracey and Tracy Godfrey Jr. will not be easy. The biggest question will be how quickly the new roster comes together. If the newcomers adjust quickly and the returning players provide leadership, the Crimson Storm could once again find themselves competing for a conference championship.

2026-27 Outlook: GAC Tournament Contender
Player to Watch: Joe Mpoyo
Biggest Strength: Experience in the backcourt and potential of the new roster.

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Team	Massey National Rank	GAC Preseason Rank	NABC National Rank
Oklahoma Baptist	18	2	12
Southern Nazarene	32	4	Receiving Votes
Harding	33	3	NR
Southern Arkansas	69	9 (T)	NR
Ouachita Baptist	72	1	NR
East Central	121	6	NR
Henderson State	136	5	NR
Southwestern Oklahoma State	138	9 (T)	NR
Arkansas Tech	144	8	NR
Southeastern Oklahoma State	148	7	NR
Northwestern Oklahoma State	200	11	NR
Arkansas-Monticello	216	12	NR

Rankings as of 11-13-26