CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi Christian University men's basketball was picked to finish tied for seventh in the 2026-27 Gulf South Conference preseason coaches poll, while three Choctaws earned recognition on the league's Newcomers to Watch list, the conference announced Monday.
Mississippi Christian received 37 points in the preseason poll, tying Delta State for seventh among the league's 11 programs. West Alabama was selected as the preseason favorite with 99 points and nine first-place votes, followed by UAH with 92 points and two first-place votes. Trevecca Nazarene, Valdosta State and Lee rounded out the top five.
The Choctaws placed three players on the GSC Newcomers to Watch list, including senior guard London Fields, junior guard Sawyer Griffin and fifth-year forward Jaden Webb.
The trio joins Mississippi Christian ahead of the 2026-27 campaign and represents a group of newcomers expected to contribute as the Choctaws prepare for conference competition. The GSC recognized 29 student-athletes across its 11 member institutions on this year's Newcomers to Watch list.
Mississippi Christian enters its second season under head coach Josh Brooks, looking to continue building the program and establish momentum in Gulf South Conference play. With a new season approaching, the Choctaws will look to their returning players and incoming additions as they compete for a spot in the conference postseason tournament.
The Choctaws begin their 2026-27 campaign Thursday, Oct. 29, with an exhibition contest at NCAA Division I South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
MC officially opens the regular season Tuesday, Nov. 10, when it hosts Southern Arkansas at A.E. Wood Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
Gulf South Conference play begins Thursday, Dec. 3, as Mississippi Christian welcomes Union to Clinton for a 7:30 p.m. matchup. The Choctaws will play 18 conference contests before concluding the regular season Feb. 26 at home against Montevallo.
The 2027 GSC Men's Basketball Championship begins March 1, with semifinal contests scheduled for March 4 and the championship game set for March 7.
For the complete 2026-27 Mississippi Christian men's basketball schedule, visit GoChoctaws.com.
