Utah Valley University men’s basketball has been picked to finish fifth in the 2026-27 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Poll, according to a report published October 16. The Wolverines received 85 points in a vote by the league’s 12 head coaches as the program prepares for its inaugural season in the Big West.
The men's team enters the 2026-27 campaign following a final season in the Western Athletic Conference where they finished 25-9 overall. The Wolverines captured their second consecutive outright WAC regular-season championship with a 14-4 conference record.
In the preseason poll, Utah Valley was picked just one point behind fourth-place CSUN, which received 86 points. UC Irvine was selected as the preseason favorite with 114 points and seven first-place votes, followed by UC San Diego with 105 points and three first-place votes. UC Santa Barbara finished third with 103 points and earned two first-place votes.
Other teams in the poll included Cal Poly in sixth with 75 points and Sacramento State in seventh with 65 points. Cal State Fullerton, California Baptist, Cal State Bakersfield, UC Riverside, and Long Beach State rounded out the 12-team poll.
The Utah Valley women’s basketball team was selected to finish sixth in the preseason poll after receiving 70 total votes. Defending conference champion UC San Diego was named the preseason favorite with 120 points and 10 of the 12 first-place votes. UC Irvine was picked second with 108 points and one first-place vote.
UC Santa Barbara and California Baptist were selected third and fourth, respectively, while Sacramento State was ranked fifth with 88 points and one first-place vote. Following Utah Valley were UC Riverside in seventh, CSUN in eighth, and Cal Poly in ninth. Cal State Bakersfield and Long Beach State tied for 10th with 25 points each, while Cal State Fullerton was selected 12th.
The men's program is entering its fourth season under head coach Todd Phillips, who recently signed a contract extension through the 2029-30 season. Phillips was named the 2025 WAC Coach of the Year.
In recent volleyball action, Long Beach State defeated Utah Valley 3-2 on Thursday night at Lockhart Arena. Despite Utah Valley winning the first two sets, the 494ers secured the match with a fifth-set win.
Utah Valley men's basketball travels to St. George, Utah, this weekend to play former WAC rival Utah Tech in an Old Hammer Rivalry exhibition game on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Burns Arena.
The women's basketball team will open the 2026-27 season on Tuesday, Nov. 3, against Park University at the UCCU Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT.
