JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 7, 2026) - The ETSU men's basketball team was picked to finish second in the SoCin preseason poll released by the conference office on Wednesday. Guard B.J. Ward was named to the Preseason All-SoCon team.

The poll and all-conference team were voted on by the SoCon's 11 coaches. ETSU won the regular season title in 2025-26 and reached the SoCon tournament championship game for the second time in three seasons under Brooks Savage.

Ward averaged 10.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.1 rebounds last season in 33 starts at Southeast Missouri State in 2025-26. He finished fifth in the OVC in total assists and sixth in assists per game. Ward is one of 10 additions to the ETSU roster for 2026-27.

Furman, who bested ETSU in the SoCon tournament championship in March, was picked to win the league with 10 first place votes. VMI's Rickey Bradley, Jr. was named Preseason Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Men's basketball season tickets are on sale now at ETSUTickets.com or by calling the ETSU ticket office at 423-439-3878. The Bucs open the 2026-27 season with a charity exhibition against High Point, presented by Johnson City Honda.

For more information on ETSU men's basketball, go to ETSUBucs.com.