- SCORESOct 17
Illinois State University men's basketball will open the 2026-27 season with a home exhibition game against Northwestern. The matchup provides an early look at the Redbirds' readiness for the upcoming regular season. Exhibition games are crucial for evaluating player development and team chemistry before conference play begins. The home crowd will have an early chance to see the new roster in action. This game sets the tone for the team's goals and expectations for the year.
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Northwest Missouri State’s Bennett Stirtz, a rare Division II‑to‑NBA talent, has entered his first season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Oklahoman reports the rookie is eager to apply his high basketball IQ at the professional level. Stirtz’s transition highlights the growing pipeline from D‑II programs to the NBA, offering a benchmark for future D‑II players. His progress will be watched closely by scouts and coaches across the Division II landscape.
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The Great Northwest Athletic Conference released its 2026‑27 men’s basketball preseason coaches poll on October 16, placing Montana State Billings at the fifth spot. The Broncos, a perennial contender in the GNAC, will look to improve on last season’s performance as they aim for a higher finish. Being ranked fifth signals that conference coaches view the Billings roster as competitive but still a step behind the top‑four programs. The poll sets the stage for a tightly contested conference schedule, where every win could be pivotal for postseason aspirations. The ranking also provides a benchmark for the coaching staff as they evaluate offseason developments and set goals for the upcoming season.
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The Great Northwest Athletic Conference released its preseason coaches poll on Thursday, naming Saint Martin’s as the favorite to defend its title. The Hawks entered the 2025‑26 season as back‑to‑back GNAC champions and are expected to lead the conference again. The poll reflects confidence from GNAC coaches in Saint Martin’s returning core and coaching staff after capturing the league trophies last year. A top finish would secure the program’s continued dominance and set the stage for another deep run in the NCAA Division II tournament.
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Bennett Stirtz started his college career in Division II at Northwest Missouri State, where he was the MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2023 and a two-time second-team All-MIAA pick under Ben McCollum. He followed McCollum to Drake in 2024 and went on to Iowa in 2025, and the Memphis Grizzlies took him 16th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft before trading him to Oklahoma City for two second-round picks. Through four preseason games with the Thunder he is averaging 17.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists, shooting 54.8% from the field and 14 of 26 from three. He opened with 15 against New Orleans and 20 against Milwaukee, then dropped a game-high 26 with six threes at Atlanta on Oct. 12. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has praised his poise running the point. Three years ago he was playing in the MIAA. #WeHoopToo
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The Mid‑America Intercollegiate Athletics Association unveiled its 2026‑27 men’s basketball preseason coaches poll on October 7. Defending champion Washburn was voted the clear favorite, followed by strong contenders Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri State. The poll reflects expectations after several roster changes across the conference, including key transfers and coaching moves. Teams will use these rankings as a benchmark heading into a competitive season that could see new challengers emerge for the conference title.
