Following a national runner-up campaign, the Emory University men's basketball team will enter the 2026-27 season once again thought of as one of the top teams in the country as D3hoops.com released its national preseason poll Thursday afternoon.
The Eagles are stationed at No. 4 to begin the season following a program record 27 wins last year, marking the third consecutive season Emory will begin a campaign inside the top-10 nationally and the second straight year the team is ranked inside the top five nationally in the preseason.
The D3hoops.com national poll is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, Sports Information Directors and media members from across the country. It is published weekly throughout the season.
"Always an exciting time of year when the preseason polls are released because another basketball season is starting soon," said Head Coach Jason Zimmerman. "We have been fortunate to be included in these polls because of the work and potential of so many current and former Eagles who take great pride in representing Emory University and Emory Basketball."
This year's team will return 12 players from last year's history-defining squad which posted an overall record of 27-4, including a 12-2 mark in the vaunted University Athletic Association to capture the conference title.
Back in the fold will be the returning starting trio of seniors Ethan Fauss, AJ Harris and junior Mario Awasum. Fauss, a Second Team All-UAA selection, averaged 15.0 points per game and a UAA-leading 8.6 rebounds per game, while Harris checked in with 10.0 PPG and Awasum with 9.1 PPG to go along with 70 blocks and 7.9 RPG.
Joining them will be senior Spencer Hall, juniors Will Otto, Harris Jackson, Liam Mullins, Harry Kitey and sophomores Eli Fauss and Giacomo Kaplan. The Eagles will also welcome a strong newcomer group featuring junior Ved Desai and rookies Nico Searl, Luke Schorr and Harry Miles.
"We have a great group of young men who are looking forward to this year's journey and all the joy and challenges that come with a competitive season," continued Zimmerman.
This season will represent Zimmerman's 19th season on the Emory bench and will enter the year with an overall record of 338-143 with his team's making the NCAA postseason in 12 of the last 13 seasons. He will be joined once again on the bench by Mak Krause, Chad Hixon and Charlie Copp.
Emory hosts Division II's Augusta University on Friday, October 23rd in a home exhibition showcase before starting the season in earnest at home on Monday, November 9th against Piedmont University. The non-conference slate continues with matchups against Berry, Rhodes, Guilford, Oglethorpe and Huntingdon before the team ventures west to Las Vegas for the newly-formed NABC Classic to face Elmhurst on December 21st before either taking on Redlands or Trine the following day. The 2026 calendar concludes with the Emory Holiday Classic on December 29th and 30th with the Eagles taking on UC-Santa Cruz before an Elite Eight rematch against Illinois Wesleyan.
When 2027 begins, the team closes out the non-conference schedule with Maryville on January 4th prior to UAA competition starting on January 9th with Rochester as the Eagles will be home for five of the first seven conference dates. Emory is one of four UAA programs inside the D3hoops.com national preseason poll as the team is joined by WashU (No. 10), New York (No. 23) and UChicago (No. 24).
"Our schedule will once again be very challenging," stated Zimmerman. "The additions of the NABC Challenge in Las Vegas adds a great experience for our student-athletes. The Emory Holiday Classic has always had some great matchups before we start the conference run. The UAA continues to be the best conference in the country top to bottom."
Tip off for the home exhibition against Augusta is set for 5:30pm before the official home opener against the Lions at 7:30pm on November 9th.
