Burnsville, MN (NSUWolves.com) – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the 2026-27 Preseason Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Poll today with the Northern State University Wolves picked tenth in the league overall and third in the NSIC North Division. Northern earned 98 points in the overall poll and 35 in the divisional poll. In addition, Josh Book was selected as the team’s player to watch heading into the 2026-27 season.
“We have a great group of people to work with daily that want to win and get better. They have good energy on the court and we are hopeful that we have a group that will work to improve throughout the season to give us a chance. Again this year, we have a lot of new faces that will be competing for minutes but return a handful from last year that need to lead the way for the newcomers.”
Matt Wilber
2025-26 RECAP
The 2025-26 season saw the Wolves go 12-17 overall, a 438% increase from the previous season, and 12-10 in the Northern Sun, qualifying for the NSIC Tournament. Joshua Book was named to the NSIC All-Conference second team and CSC Academic All-District® Team.
NORTHERN STATE PLAYER TO WATCH | JOSH BOOK
Book averaged 33.9 minutes, 14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game last season, shooting 40.4% from the floor and 91.7% from the free throw line. He dished out a team leading 131 assists. Book scored in double figures in 24 contests, knocking down his career high of 23 points on three different occasions. Book was named to the NSIC All-Conference second team and CSC Academic All-District team.
“Josh returns as a second team all-conference player from last season. He is our leader on the floor and in the locker room and we are hopeful that he continues to improve in both areas for us.” – Matt Wilber
2026-27 OUTLOOK
Northern State opens the season at home on November 9 at 6 p.m. versus Chadron State. The Wolves welcome 11 incoming freshman and transfers to the 2026-27 roster, in addition to the seven returners. Single game tickets are currently on sale, as well as season ticket packages heading into 2026-27 at nsuwolves.com/tickets. Visit the Wolves game day page at nsuwolves.com/gameday for promotions and giveaways, as well as helpful links heading into the fall. Fans are encouraged to join the Wolves and Northern State Athletics at the Meet the Wolves event next Tuesday, October 20 at Allevity Entertainment in Aberdeen. Hear from the players and student-athletes, receive a free hour of play from Allevity, and enter in to win a variety of raffle prizes.
NSIC coaches rank each team in the NSIC in the overall poll and team from their division in the divisional poll. In the overall poll coaches rank from 1 to 15 with a first place vote receiving 15 points, second place 14, third place 13, etc. Coaches do not rank their own team or vote for their own players.
The regular season champion will be based on the 22-game NSIC schedule. Each team will play teams in their division twice (14 divisional games) and teams in the other division once (8 out-of-division games). An NSIC North and South Division Champion will also be awarded. Divisional standings will also be based on all 22 NSIC contests played. In the event of a tie, co-champions will be awarded. The 2026-27 men’s basketball season gets underway at the end of October with non-conference action, while NSIC play begins on Tuesday, November 24.
The 12-team NSIC Men’s Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Championship are set to take place February 27-March 2 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The tournament will be seeded using the NSIC 22-game schedule, with the top four seeds receiving a first-round bye. First round games will be played on campus on Wednesday, February 24.
2026-27 NSIC PRESEASON POLL
| RK. | OVERALL POLL | POINTS | RK. | SOUTH DIVISION | POINTS | |
| 1 | Minnesota State (8) | 216 | 1 | St. Cloud State (4) | 45 | |
| 2 | St. Cloud State (6) | 211 | Minnesota State (3) | 45 | ||
| 3 | Minnesota Duluth (1) | 195 | 3 | Southwest Minn. St. | 33 | |
| 4 | Southwest Minn. St. | 170 | 4 | Winona State | 28 | |
| 5 | Concordia-St. Paul | 153 | 5 | Concordia-St. Paul | 25 | |
| 6 | Augustana (1) | 144 | 6 | Augustana (1) | 22 | |
| Winona State | 144 | 7 | Sioux Falls | 16 | ||
| 8 | MSU Moorhead | 140 | 8 | Wayne State | 10 | |
| 9 | Bemidji State | 106 | ||||
| 10 | Northern State | 98 | RK. | NORTH DIVISION | POINTS | |
| 11 | Sioux Falls | 95 | 1 | Minnesota Duluth (7) | 49 | |
| 12 | Wayne State | 77 | 2 | MSU Moorhead (1) | 42 | |
| 13 | Jamestown | 68 | 3 | Northern State | 35 | |
| 14 | Minnesota Crookston | 42 | 4 | Bemidji State | 33 | |
| Minot State | 42 | 5 | Jamestown | 24 | ||
| 16 | University of Mary | 19 | 6 | Minnesota Crookston | 17 | |
| Minot State | 17 | |||||
| 8 | University of Mary | 7 |