Statesmen Start 2026-2027 in Receiving Votes Group

Oskaloosa–The William Penn men’s basketball team begins the new campaign on the national radar as the NAIA released its preseason top-25 poll Wednesday, sponsored by Gared.

WPU, which was 25-7 last year (16-4 Heart), is one of 26 squads receiving votes. The section is listed in alphabetical order, so there is no way to determine where in the 26-51 range the navy and gold have been placed.

Fellow Heart of America Athletic Conference programs Graceland and Grand View join the Statesmen in the (RV) group.

Grace (Ind.) is first in the NAIA with 14 first-place votes. Defending national champion Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) is second (four top ballots), while Arizona Christian (one ballot), Rocky Mountain (Mont.), and Indiana Wesleyan round out the top five.

William Penn starts its year next Wednesday, October 28 by hosting Central in non-conference play at 7 p.m.