PROVIDENCE, R.I. – WestConn has been selected as the favorite in the 2026-27 Little East Conference (LEC) Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll, collecting five first-place votes and 61 points. Keene State College finished just one point behind the Wolves with 60 points and the remaining four first-place votes, followed by UMass Dartmouth in third with 47 points.
The University of Southern Maine placed fourth with 43 points, followed by Rhode Island College with 35 points and Eastern Connecticut State University with 30 points. UMass Boston (20 points), Plymouth State University (17 points) and Vermont State University Castleton (11 points) rounded out the nine-team poll.
WestConn enters the season as the defending LEC tournament champion after defeating Keene State 84-68 in last season’s championship game, securing its first conference tournament title since 2020 and the league’s automatic NCAA tournament berth. The Wolves competed in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship, falling to Catholic University 71-69 at Tufts University to finish the season 21-7.
Reigning LEC Coach of the Year Guy Rancourt returns First Team All-LEC center Marcel Henry, along with guards Elijah Jena Guillaume, Avery Taitt-Christina, Jaeden Bull, Nick Moore, Armaan Sandhu and Jonathan Chery. That returning group will be joined by newcomers Ameer Smith, Makai Coleman, Marco Evans, Jadyn Wilson and Rollins Youte as WestConn prepares for a challenging nonconference schedule.
Keene State brings back an experienced group headlined by returning LEC Defensive Player of the Year and All-Defensive Team selection Denis Wainaina and First Team All-LEC guard Jordan Cooper. The Owls also return 2024 LEC Rookie of the Year Wesley Odiase, along with guard Allyn Wright, after posting a 20-11 overall record and an 11-5 conference mark under head coach Steven Enright. Transfers Kyle Benjamin from Millersville University and Kyren Smith from Bridgewater College (Va.) add to the Owls’ roster.
UMass Dartmouth looks to build on a 13-12 season that included a 7-9 conference record under head coach Brian Baptiste. Guards Danny Reyes and Cam DiChiara lead the returning group, while Josh Lopes returns from knee surgery. Center Elliot Black also joins the Corsairs’ lineup.
Southern Maine enters the season under head coach Mikey Coppersmith after finishing 16-10 overall and 11-5 in LEC play. Noah Dowling, Gabe Lash, Evans Sterling, Carter Galley and Cohen Galley return for the Huskies, who will look to replace leading scorer and First Team All-LEC selection Tommy Whelan while incorporating a large freshman class.
Rhode Island College welcomes back reigning LEC Rookie of the Year Noe Bom and Second Team All-LEC selection Xavier Mendez under head coach Sam Ferry. The Anchormen, who finished 11-15 overall and 7-9 in conference play, also add Francis Marion University transfer Troy Santos.
Eastern Connecticut welcomes back Second Team All-LEC forward Julian Sanchez and Drew Soltis after a 17-10 campaign that included an 8-8 conference record. Head coach Bill Geitner’s Warriors will feature a young roster with 10 freshmen following the departures of Second Team All-LEC guard Dom Dao and fellow contributors Jalen Hamblin, Mike Carothers and Raymond Carter.
UMass Boston returns Davon Sanders following a 16-10 season under head coach Jason Harris. The Beacons will look to replace LEC Player of the Year and NABC All-American Cameron Perkins, who transferred to Division II Southern Connecticut State University, and First Team All-LEC and All-Defensive Team selection Raphel Laurent, who transferred to Division I Central Connecticut State University. Newcomers Allen Brown, Trokon Harris and Max Depina will help shape a Beacons roster featuring numerous new faces.
Plymouth State brings back guard Eli Pockette and forwards Brady Hulland, Will Mollica and Keegan Martinez under head coach Andrew Novick. The Panthers look to improve on last season’s 7-18 overall record and 3-13 conference mark with a group of newcomers joining that returning core.
Vermont State Castleton is led by returning Second Team All-LEC selection Will Radcliff, who averaged 19 points and nine rebounds per game last season. Head coach Paul Culpo’s Spartans finished 6-19 overall and 1-15 in conference play and will add several transfers and freshmen to their returning roster.
2026-27 LEC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
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WestConn – 61 (5)
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Keene State – 60 (4)
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UMass Dartmouth – 47
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Southern Maine – 43
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Rhode Island College – 35
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Eastern Connecticut – 30
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UMass Boston – 20
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Plymouth State – 17
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Vermont State Castleton – 11