NEW HAVEN, Conn. (October 21, 2026) – Thomas Jefferson University has been selected for first place in the 2026-27 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll. The voting was conducted by the conference’s 11 head coaches, and the results were announced today by CACC Commissioner Dan Mara.

Jefferson (16-12, 12-8 CACC in 2025-26) tied for third place in the CACC a year ago. The Rams received four first-place votes and 90 total points in the poll. Four schools garnered at least one first-place vote.

Felician University, last year’s conference regular-season and tournament champion, was selected for second place with 85 points. The Golden Falcons also earned four first-place votes. Caldwell University, which secured two first-place votes, and Goldey-Beacom College, a 2026 conference finalist, tied for third place with 72 points each.

The final first-place vote went to Post University, which was chosen for fifth place with 64 points. The No. 6 spot in the poll was taken by Dominican University New York (62 points), followed by Holy Family University in seventh (51) and the University of Bridgeport in eighth (35). Rounding out the balloting were Wilmington University (30 points), Chestnut Hill College (25), and Georgian Court University (19).

The 2026-27 regular season begins on Monday, November 9, with conference action slated to start on Tuesday, November 24. The top eight teams in the standings at season’s end will qualify for the conference playoffs. The CACC Tournament quarterfinals will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2027, at campus sites, and Holy Family will host the semifinals and finals on March 6-7, 2027, at the Campus Center Gymnasium. The CACC champion will automatically qualify for the 2027 NCAA Division II East Region Championship.

 

2026-27 CACC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
(First place votes in parentheses)

Pl.	Team	Pts.
1.	Thomas Jefferson University (4)	90
2.	Felician  University(4)	85
3t.	Caldwell University (2)	72
3t.	Goldey-Beacom College	72
5.	Post University (1)	64
6.	Dominican University New York	62
7.	Holy Family University	51
8.	University of Bridgeport	35
9.	Wilmington University	30
10.	Chestnut Hill College	25
11.	Georgian Court University	19

 

 

Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 21 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 18 sports – seven for men, 10 for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.