The South Atlantic Conference men’s basketball season tips off with Lenoir-Rhyne leading the chase for the 2025–26 title. 

The Bears enter as the preseason favorite after a 29-6 campaign that included both a SAC Tournament and Southeast Region championship — the program’s first trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Under reigning SAC Coach of the Year Brent Owen, Lenoir-Rhyne’s experienced lineup returns All-Conference center Conrad Luczynski, who anchors one of the league’s deepest frontcourts.

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Anderson and Lincoln Memorial share second in the preseason coaches’ poll, setting the tone for a competitive year across the league. Anderson brings back seven of its top nine players and stands as the only program with two Preseason All-Conference selections: AJ Wright Jr., the SAC’s assists leader, and transfer Ian Blue. Lincoln Memorial, led by first-year head coach Tony Jasick, continues its remarkable consistency with guards Nate Mims and Yassin Hussein named SAC Players to Watch.

Star power stretches deep into the standings. Carson-Newman’s Jack Browder returns after averaging 19.7 points and nearly nine rebounds per game, while Catawba’s Nick Walker brings efficient scoring to a program coming off its third straight NCAA Regional appearance. UVA Wise features the SAC’s leading rebounder, Evan Ramsey, while Tusculum’s Bryce Jackson gives the Pioneers one of the top returning scorers in the league. New coaches, transfers and returning all-conference talent make this season one of the most unpredictable in recent SAC history.

The 2025–26 campaign runs from November through early March, culminating in the SAC Tournament in Rock Hill, South Carolina, March 4–7. Every Men’s SAC basketball game and each SAC team’s home contest will stream live on FloCollege and FloHoops, with full replays and highlights available on FloSports throughout the season.

Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s Basketball

• 2025–2026 Preseason Poll: 1st
• 2024–2025 Record: 29-6

Reigning SAC and Southeast Region champions under Brent Owen. All-Conference center Conrad Luczynski leads alongside Player to Watch Julian Dozier. Opens at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic.

Anderson Men’s Basketball

• 2025–2026 Preseason Poll: T-2nd
• 2024–2025 Record: 16-13

Returns seven of top nine players. All-Conference selections AJ Wright Jr. and Ian Blue lead the Trojans, the only team with two preseason honorees. Hosts the Conference Crossover in November.

Lincoln Memorial Men’s Basketball

• 2025–2026 Preseason Poll: T-2nd
• 2024–2025 Record: 25-6

New coach Tony Jasick inherits a powerhouse. Players to Watch Nate Mims and Yassin Hussein headline a roster that opens Nov. 14–15 against North Georgia and Georgia College.

Carson-Newman Men’s Basketball

• 2025–2026 Preseason Poll: 4th
• 2024–2025 Record: 21-12

All-Conference forward Jack Browder (19.7 ppg) returns; Braden Ilic is a Player to Watch. The Eagles open Nov. 15 vs. Lees-McRae in the SAC/Conference Carolinas Challenge.

Catawba Men’s Basketball

• 2025–2026 Preseason Poll: 5th
• 2024–2025 Record: 18-13

All-Conference pick Nick Walker (14.0 ppg, 61.8% FG) anchors the lineup; Ibra Athie is a Player to Watch. Catawba opens the regular season at Lander after an exhibition at George Mason.

UVA Wise Men’s Basketball

• 2025–2026 Preseason Poll: 6th
• 2024–2025 Record: 18-11

Evan Ramsey averaged 14.5 points and 10.0 rebounds to earn All-Conference honors. Patrick Shelley is a Player to Watch. Opens at the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic.

Wingate Men’s Basketball

• 2025–2026 Preseason Poll: 7th
• 2024–2025 Record: 12-15

Jordan Miller and Corbin Pack, both double-figure scorers, return as SAC Players to Watch. The Bulldogs aim to break into the league’s upper tier this season.

Newberry Men’s Basketball

• 2025–2026 Preseason Poll: 8th
• 2024–2025 Record: 13-15

Players to Watch Drake Downs and Malakhi Stremlow headline the Wolves’ backcourt. A returning core looks to improve on last year’s 10-14 conference finish.

Tusculum Men’s Basketball

• 2025–2026 Preseason Poll: 9th
• 2024–2025 Record: 6-22

All-Conference guard Bryce Jackson (18.6 ppg) leads the Pioneers. Player to Watch TJ Printup adds frontcourt balance. Opens Nov. 14 vs. Clayton State after an exhibition at Charleston.

Coker Men’s Basketball

• 2025–2026 Preseason Poll: 10th
• 2024–2025 Record: 19-10

Transfers Isayah Owens and Aaron Hall, both SAC Players to Watch, join new head coach Nick Pasqua’s roster. Opens at home Nov. 14 vs. Ferrum.

Emory & Henry Men’s Basketball

• 2025–2026 Preseason Poll: 11th
• 2024–2025 Record: 6-22

Jackson Crawford and Korbin Dixon are SAC Players to Watch. The Wasps open Nov. 14 at USC Beaufort with nine newcomers joining seven returners.

Mars Hill Men’s Basketball

• 2025–2026 Preseason Poll: 12th
• 2024–2025 Record: 7-19

Players to Watch Aljaz Vidmar and Jaheim Taylor anchor the lineup. The Lions aim to climb after finishing 12th in last year’s SAC standings.

2025–26 SAC Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team

• Jack Browder, Carson-Newman
• Evan Ramsey, UVA Wise
• Conrad Luczynski, Lenoir-Rhyne
• Nick Walker, Catawba
• Bryce Jackson, Tusculum
• AJ Wright Jr., Anderson
• Ian Blue, Anderson

SAC Men’s Basketball Players to Watch

• Carson-Newman: Braden Ilic
• Catawba: Ibra Athie
• Coker: Isayah Owens, Aaron Hall
• Emory & Henry: Jackson Crawford, Korbin Dixon
• Lenoir-Rhyne: Julian Dozier
• Lincoln Memorial: Nate Mims, Yassin Hussein
• Mars Hill: Aljaz Vidmar, Jaheim Taylor
• Newberry: Drake Downs, Malakhi Stremlow
• Tusculum: TJ Printup
• UVA Wise: Patrick Shelley
• Wingate: Jordan Miller, Corbin Pack

How To Watch The South Atlantic Conference Men’s Basketball Season

Every South Atlantic Conference men’s basketball game is streaming live on FloCollege, FloHoops and the FloSports app. Every replay, highlight and more news will be available on the platforms. Every SAC home basketball game will also stream on all three platforms.

SAC Men's Basketball Schedule 2025-2026

November 1

• 2:00 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Lubbock Christian
• 8:00 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Daemen

November 2

• 3:30 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Michigan Tech
• 5:45 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Florida Southern

November 14

• TBA: Catawba vs. Lander
• TBA: Lincoln Memorial vs. North Georgia
• 12:00 PM ET: Ferrum vs. Coker
• 2:00 PM ET: North Greenville vs. Mars Hill
• 2:00 PM ET: Georgia Southwestern vs. Converse
• 2:30 PM ET: Erskine vs. Anderson
• 4:00 PM ET: USC Beaufort vs. Emory & Henry
• 5:00 PM ET: Tusculum vs. Clayton State
• 7:00 PM ET: Wingate vs. Barton
• 7:00 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Chowan

November 15

• TBA: Lincoln Memorial vs. Georgia College
• 11:00 AM ET: Wingate vs. Mount Olive
• 1:30 PM ET: Flagler vs. Emory & Henry
• 2:00 PM ET: Emmanuel (Ga.) vs. Anderson
• 2:00 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Clayton State
• 2:00 PM ET: Georgia Southwestern vs. Ferrum
• 3:00 PM ET: Tusculum vs. Chowan
• 3:00 PM ET: Southern Wesleyan vs. Mars Hill
• 4:30 PM ET: Converse vs. Coker
• 5:30 PM ET: Lees-McRae vs. UVA Wise
• 7:30 PM ET: King (Tenn.) vs. Carson-Newman

November 16

• 1:00 PM ET: King (Tenn.) vs. UVA Wise
• 3:00 PM ET: Lees-McRae vs. Carson-Newman
• 7:30 PM ET: USC Aiken vs. Catawba

November 17

• 7:30 PM ET: Clinton College vs. Mars Hill

November 18

• 7:00 PM ET: Tusculum vs. North Greenville
• 8:00 PM ET: Anderson vs. Eckerd

November 19

• TBA: Elizabeth City State vs. Lincoln Memorial
• 6:00 PM ET: Young Harris vs. UVA Wise
• 7:00 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. King (Tenn.)

November 20

• 7:00 PM ET: Anderson vs. Tampa

November 21

• 5:00 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. Barton
• 5:00 PM ET: Lee vs. Wingate
• 7:00 PM ET: West Virginia State vs. Lenoir-Rhyne

November 22

• TBA: Lincoln Memorial vs. Cedarville
• 2:00 PM ET: Belmont Abbey vs. Mars Hill
• 2:00 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. Lander
• 2:00 PM ET: West Virginia State vs. Wingate
• 4:00 PM ET: Trevecca Nazarene vs. Tusculum
• 4:00 PM ET: Lee vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
• 7:00 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. Mount Olive

November 24

• 7:00 PM ET: Bob Jones vs. Anderson
• 7:30 PM ET: Bluefield State vs. UVA Wise

November 25

• 11:00 AM ET: Johnson C. Smith vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
• 2:00 PM ET: Tusculum vs. Newberry
• 6:00 PM ET: Coker vs. Fayetteville State

November 26

• 2:00 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. North Georgia

November 28

• 4:00 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Lincoln Memorial

November 29

• 2:00 PM ET: Virginia University of Lynchburg vs. UVA Wise
• 2:00 PM ET: Belmont Abbey vs. Wingate
• 4:00 PM ET: Anderson vs. Emory & Henry
• 4:00 PM ET: Coker vs. Tusculum
• 4:00 PM ET: Augusta vs. Carson-Newman
• 4:00 PM ET: Wingate vs. UVA Wise

November 30

• 7:00 PM ET: King (Tenn.) vs. Mars Hill

December 2

• 11:00 AM ET: The Crown College vs. Tusculum

December 3

• TBA: Johnson C. Smith vs. Lincoln Memorial
• 6:00 PM ET: Catawba vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
• 7:00 PM ET: Coker vs. Mount Olive
• 7:30 PM ET: Newberry vs. Mars Hill

December 6

• TBA: Lincoln Memorial vs. Catawba
• 4:00 PM ET: Mars Hill vs. Anderson
• 4:00 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
• 4:00 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. Coker
• 4:00 PM ET: Tusculum vs. Wingate
• 4:00 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Newberry

December 10

• 7:30 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. Tusculum
• 7:30 PM ET: Mars Hill vs. Lincoln Memorial
• 7:30 PM ET: Newberry vs. Coker
• 7:30 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. UVA Wise

December 13

• 4:00 PM ET: Anderson vs. Carson-Newman
• 4:00 PM ET: Coker vs. Mars Hill
• 4:00 PM ET: Newberry vs. Emory & Henry
• 4:00 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. UVA Wise
• 7:00 PM ET: Catawba vs. Tusculum

December 14

• TBA: Wingate vs. Lincoln Memorial

December 17

• TBA: Anderson vs. Newberry
• 7:30 PM ET: Coker vs. Catawba
• 7:30 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Carson-Newman
• 7:30 PM ET: Tusculum vs. Mars Hill
• 7:30 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. Lincoln Memorial
• 7:30 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Wingate

December 20

• TBA: Lincoln Memorial vs. Anderson
• 2:00 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. Wingate
• 3:00 PM ET: Coker vs. Emmanuel (Ga.)
• 4:00 PM ET: Mars Hill vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
• 4:00 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. Catawba

December 21

• TBA: Coker vs. TBA

December 31

• TBA: Lees-McRae vs. Lincoln Memorial
• TBA: Chowan vs. Catawba
• 2:00 PM ET: Tennessee Wesleyan vs. Carson-Newman
• 2:00 PM ET: Wingate vs. Francis Marion
• 2:00 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. UNC Pembroke
• 4:00 PM ET: Mars Hill vs. King (Tenn.)
• 7:00 PM ET: Anderson vs. Clayton State

January 2

• 2:00 PM ET: Johnson C. Smith vs. Emory & Henry

January 3

• 2:00 PM ET: Catawba vs. Carson-Newman
• 4:00 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Coker
• 4:00 PM ET: Wingate vs. Anderson
• 4:00 PM ET: Bluefield State vs. Tusculum

January 7

• 7:30 PM ET: Catawba vs. Wingate
• 7:30 PM ET: Coker vs. Anderson
• 7:30 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. Emory & Henry
• 7:30 PM ET: Tusculum vs. Lincoln Memorial
• 7:30 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Mars Hill
• 7:30 PM ET: Newberry vs. Lenoir-Rhyne

January 10

• TBA: Lincoln Memorial vs. Newberry
• 4:00 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Catawba
• 4:00 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. Coker
• 4:00 PM ET: Tusculum vs. Anderson
• 4:00 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
• 4:00 PM ET: Mars Hill vs. Wingate

January 14

• 7:30 PM ET: Catawba vs. Anderson
• 7:30 PM ET: Lincoln Memorial vs. Carson-Newman
• 7:30 PM ET: Mars Hill vs. Emory & Henry
• 7:30 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Coker
• 7:30 PM ET: Tusculum vs. UVA Wise
• 7:30 PM ET: Wingate vs. Newberry

January 17

• 4:00 PM ET: Anderson vs. UVA Wise
• 4:00 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Tusculum
• 4:00 PM ET: Coker vs. Lincoln Memorial
• 4:00 PM ET: Newberry vs. Carson-Newman
• 4:00 PM ET: Wingate vs. Emory & Henry
• 4:00 PM ET: Catawba vs. Mars Hill

January 21

• TBA: Newberry vs. Catawba
• 7:30 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Lincoln Memorial
• 7:30 PM ET: Anderson vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
• 7:30 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. Tusculum
• 7:30 PM ET: Coker vs. Wingate
• 7:30 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. Mars Hill

January 24

• TBA: Lincoln Memorial vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
• 4:00 PM ET: Tusculum vs. Coker
• 4:00 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. Anderson
• 4:00 PM ET: Mars Hill vs. Newberry
• 4:00 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. Catawba
• 4:00 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Wingate

January 28

• TBA: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Catawba
• 7:30 PM ET: Mars Hill vs. UVA Wise
• 7:30 PM ET: Coker vs. Newberry
• 7:30 PM ET: Lincoln Memorial vs. Emory & Henry
• 7:30 PM ET: Tusculum vs. Carson-Newman
• 7:30 PM ET: Anderson vs. Wingate

January 31

• TBA: Catawba vs. Lincoln Memorial
• 4:00 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Emory & Henry
• 4:00 PM ET: Wingate vs. Tusculum
• 4:00 PM ET: Coker vs. Carson-Newman
• 4:00 PM ET: Anderson vs. Mars Hill
• 4:00 PM ET: Newberry vs. UVA Wise

February 4

• 7:30 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. Mars Hill
• 7:30 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. UVA Wise
• 7:30 PM ET: Catawba vs. Coker
• 7:30 PM ET: Lincoln Memorial vs. Tusculum
• 7:30 PM ET: Newberry vs. Anderson
• 7:30 PM ET: Wingate vs. Lenoir-Rhyne

February 7

• TBA: Lincoln Memorial vs. Wingate
• 4:00 PM ET: Mars Hill vs. Coker
• 4:00 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. Newberry
• 4:00 PM ET: Tusculum vs. Catawba
• 4:00 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. Anderson
• 4:00 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Lenoir-Rhyne

February 11

• TBA: Wingate vs. Catawba
• 7:30 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. Lincoln Memorial
• 7:30 PM ET: Mars Hill vs. Tusculum
• 7:30 PM ET: Anderson vs. Coker
• 7:30 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Emory & Henry
• 7:30 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Newberry

February 14

• TBA: Anderson vs. Lincoln Memorial
• 4:00 PM ET: Coker vs. UVA Wise
• 4:00 PM ET: Catawba vs. Emory & Henry
• 4:00 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Mars Hill
• 4:00 PM ET: Newberry vs. Tusculum
• 4:00 PM ET: Wingate vs. Carson-Newman

February 18

• TBA: Anderson vs. Catawba
• 7:30 PM ET: Coker vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
• 7:30 PM ET: Lincoln Memorial vs. Mars Hill
• 7:30 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. Carson-Newman
• 7:30 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Tusculum
• 7:30 PM ET: Newberry vs. Wingate

February 21

• TBA: Mars Hill vs. Catawba
• 4:00 PM ET: Carson-Newman vs. Newberry
• 4:00 PM ET: Tusculum vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
• 4:00 PM ET: Lincoln Memorial vs. Coker
• 4:00 PM ET: Emory & Henry vs. Wingate
• 4:00 PM ET: UVA Wise vs. Anderson

February 25

• TBA: Catawba vs. Newberry
• 7:30 PM ET: Lincoln Memorial vs. UVA Wise
• 7:30 PM ET: Mars Hill vs. Carson-Newman
• 7:30 PM ET: Tusculum vs. Emory & Henry
• 7:30 PM ET: Wingate vs. Coker
• 7:30 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Anderson

February 28

• TBA: Newberry vs. Lincoln Memorial
• 4:00 PM ET: Catawba vs. UVA Wise
• 4:00 PM ET: Wingate vs. Mars Hill
• 4:00 PM ET: Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Carson-Newman
• 4:00 PM ET: Anderson vs. Tusculum
• 4:00 PM ET: Coker vs. Emory & Henry

March 4–7

South Atlantic Conference Men’s Basketball Championship, Rock Hill Sports and Events Center, Rock Hill, SC.

Top eight teams from the SAC regular-season standings compete for the conference title.

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