ORLANDO, Fla. - The Sunshine State Conference announced its 2025-26 Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll on Wednesday, with the Lynn University men's basketball team earning the No. 4 spot among 11 programs. The Fighting Knights collected 70 total votes, marking the program's highest preseason ranking since 2019.
 
Lynn enters the new campaign riding momentum from a standout 2024-25 season in which the Fighting Knights defied expectations, finishing in the top half of the SSC standings and earning a berth in the NCAA South Regional. The team advanced to the second round of the tournament, capping one of the program's most successful seasons in recent memory under second-year head coach Bill Morosco.
 
The Fighting Knights return a veteran core of JP Baron, Austin Vick, Sveinn Birgisson, Noah Kattan, Braydon Iuli, and John Roland among others, along with a talented group of newcomers who bring additional depth and versatility to an already experienced roster.
 
Defending national champion Nova Southeastern headlines the preseason poll with 100 points and 10 first-place votes after capturing both the SSC regular season and tournament titles last year. Florida Southern follows in second with 85 points, while Tampa (75) and Lynn (70) round out the top four. Palm Beach Atlantic received the remaining first-place vote to sit fifth with 58 points.
 
The Fighting Knights open their 2025-26 season on Saturday, November 15, taking on Union (Tenn.) at 3:00 p.m. in Winter Park, Fla., hosted by Rollins College.
 
2025-26 SSC MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Nova Southeastern – 100 (10)
2. Florida Southern – 85
3. Tampa – 75
4. Lynn – 70
5. Palm Beach Atlantic – 58 (1)
6. Rollins – 51
7. Embry-Riddle – 50
8. Barry – 49
9. Saint Leo – 35
10. Eckerd – 21
11. Florida Tech – 11