NASHVILLE — The Ohio Valley Conference released its 2025–26 Men's Basketball Preseason Poll and "Players to Watch" list on Tuesday, with Tennessee State University selected fourth overall under first-year head coach Nolan Smith. Senior guard Aaron Nkrumah was named one of the OVC's returning All-Conference players, while Khalil London and Carlous Williams were chosen as the Tigers' Players to Watch for the upcoming season.
Smith, who takes over the program after serving as assistant coach at Memphis, inherits a TSU squad that blends proven experience with rising young talent. The Tigers' fourth-place projection marks their third straight season ranked inside the top four of the preseason poll.
Nkrumah, a 6'5" senior guard, returns after earning All-OVC honors last season, averaging 10.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. His versatility and leadership have made him one of the most dynamic players in the league.
London, a redshirt sophomore guard who sat out last season due to injury, is poised to lead the TSU backcourt, while Williams, a graduate forward, finished third on the team in scoring with 10.8 points per game and shot an impressive 54.9 percent from the field.
Little Rock topped the preseason poll, receiving 12 first-place votes, followed by Southeast Missouri (six) and SIUE (one). TSU also earned one first-place vote, signaling conference-wide respect for Smith's early impact and the Tigers' roster depth.
Tennessee State opens its season in early November, with non-conference play leading into a 20-game OVC schedule.
The league once again includes 11 teams, with conference action culminating at the 2026 OVC Basketball Championships presented by United Fidelity Bank (March 4–7) at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana — the ninth-straight year the event will be held at the venue. The OVC recently announced that the championship will remain in Evansville through 2032.
2025-26 OVC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Little Rock (12 first-place) - 188 points
2. Southeast Missouri (6) - 177
3. SIUE (1) - 163
4. Tennessee State (1) - 135
5. Lindenwood - 100
Morehead State - 100
7. Tennessee Tech - 80
8. UT Martin - 79
9. Southern Indiana (2) - 67
10. Eastern Illinois - 63
11. Western Illinois - 57
Returning All-OVC Players
Jadis Jones, G, So. - Lindenwood
Johnathan Lawson, G, R-Sr. - Little Rock
Tuongthach Gatkek, F, Grad. - Little Rock
Brendan Terry, F, Sr. - Southeast Missouri
Aaron Nkrumah, G, Sr. - Tennessee State
Players to Watch
Each team was able to select two "Players to Watch" to represent its team.
Eastern Illinois
Kooper Jacobi, F, Graduate
Zion Fruster, G, Senior
Lindenwood
Anias Futrell, G, Senior
Mekhi Cooper, G, Junior
Little Rock
Kachi Nzeh, F, Junior
Braxton Bayless, G, Graduate
Morehead State
Davion Cunningham, G, R-Junior
Chase Dawson, G, Sophomore
Southeast Missouri
BJ Ward, G, Junior
Braxton Stacker, G, Senior
SIUE
Arnas Sakenis, C, Senior
Ring Malith, G/F, Senior
Southern Indiana
Trey Thomas, G, Senior
Ismail Habib, G, Junior
Tennessee State
Khalil London, G, R-Sophomore
Carlous Williams, F, Graduate
Tennessee Tech
JaJuan Nicholls, F, Junior
Mekhi Cameron, G, Graduate
UT Martin
Afan Trnka, G, Junior
Lamine Niang, F, R-Junior
Western Illinois
Lucas Lorenzen, G, Junior
Antwaun Massey, F, Senior
