Pikeville Expected to Win 2025-26 Men's Basketball Championship

WALESKA, Ga. - Pikeville is the team to beat in the hunt for the 2025-26 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Basketball Championship, according to the AAC Coaches' Preseason Poll released Tuesday.

The men's basketball coaches of the AAC voted.

Pikeville collected eight first-place votes and amassed 140 points to land atop the poll. The Bears won the regular season last year with 16-4 conference record and advanced to the NAIA National Championship Tournament.

Johnson earned three first-place votes and sits second with 133 points, while Columbia International is third with 116 points. Milligan (96 points) and Montreat (96 points) round out the top five as they are tied for fourth. 

Milligan won the 2025 AAC Tournament championship, edging Johnson by three points. Both teams joined Pikeville in the NAIA National Championship Tournament.

The top 10 teams in the conference will advance to the 2024 AAC Tournament, which is set for Feb. 25-28 in Kingsport, Tenn.

The 2025-26 AAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
Team - Total Points (1st-Place Votes)