PITMAN, NJ --- Montclair State has been predicted to win the 2026-27 NJAC Men's Basketball title, based on preseason polling of the conference's 10 head coaches.
The Red Hawks, who went 17-1 in league play to claim the regular-season crown a year ago, garnered four of the 10 possible first-place votes.
Stockton earned three first-place votes and is predicted to finish runner-up this season, while Rowan also picked up three first-place votes to finish third in the preseason polling.
TCNJ and Kean round out the top five, while New Paltz, set to play its first season of NJAC competition, was predicted sixth and voted as this year's dark horse team to watch.
Ramapo was predicted seventh, while Rutgers-Newark, William Paterson and Rutgers-Camden round out the predictions.
2026-27 NJAC MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
(first place votes in parentheses)
- Montclair State (4)
- Stockton (3)
- Rowan (3)
- TCNJ
- Kean
- New Paltz (dark horse)
- Ramapo
- Rutgers-Newark
- William Paterson
- Rutgers-Camden
Kean
The Cougars return a pair of Second Team All-Conference selections and add one of the league's largest newcomer classes. Malachi Jeffers-Viera is back after earning NJAC Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Dan Dextraze joins him after posting 14.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest, and Adam Silas returns to the lineup after being sidelined by injury last season. Defensively, Braelen Crump (1.5 steals per game) and Deaundre Clarke lead the way. With eight transfers and a talented freshman group joining the mix, head coach David Turco's squad has the pieces to make a strong playoff push.
Newcomers to Watch: Lawrence Mitchell (JR; G/F; New City, NY/Clarkstown South/Odessa College), Matt McSorley (JR; F/C; Colonia, NJ/Colonia/NJCU), Isaiah Green (SO; G/F; Orange, NJ/Hillside/NJCU), Nemo Johnson (JR; C; Bowie, MD/Bowie/Goucher), Jake Zawacki (JR; G; Kenilworth, NJ/David Brearley/Union CC), Jahmir Tyrell (SR; G; Paterson, NJ/John F. Kennedy/Penn State Schuylkill), Jordan Jones (SO; G; South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield/Rowan), Aidan Salazar (JR; F/C; San Antonio, TX/Claudia Taylor Johnson/Bridgewater State)
Head Coach David Turco: "We are returning two all-conference players and have eight transfers entering our program with some talented freshmen. Our season will be based on how quickly we can blend our returners with our newcomers. Our goal is to compete for a playoff spot and then look to advance as far as possible."
Montclair State
The Red Hawks captured four first-place votes and enter as the team to beat after going 25-3 overall in 2025-26. Cristian Nicholson returns after an outstanding rookie campaign in which he earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors, averaging 11.1 points, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game while leading the NJAC with a 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio. Myles Primas impacts both ends of the floor after averaging 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks per game, and Mason Thear adds a defensive presence. A deep newcomer class, including Stockton transfer Jahmir Payoute (5.3 rebounds per game), gives Montclair State a strong foundation to defend its crown.
Newcomers to Watch: Rowan Miller (FR; G; Philadelphia, PA/Conestoga HS), Matt Mikulka (FR; G; East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick HS), Keith Mency (SR; G; Edgewater, NJ/Hudson Catholic/Westfield State), Jahmir Payoute (JR; F; Irvington, NJ/Henry Snyder/Stockton), Keith Allen (JR; G; Ocean Township, NJ/Ocean Township/Brookdale CC)
Head Coach Justin Potts: "We have a young group that works hard and is learning how to play Montclair State basketball. They have a chance to grow and improve during the course of the season. We need to be committed to building the right habits during the journey and see how good we can be by the time it's over."
New Paltz
The Hawks make their NJAC debut this season after going 13-13 overall and 11-7 in league play during their final season in the SUNYAC, and the league's coaches have already taken notice by tabbing New Paltz as this year's dark horse. Isaiah Rivera headlines the returning group as both the top offensive and defensive returner, giving the Hawks a proven two-way leader to build around. Rivera is the Hawks’ leading returning scorer and rebounder, averaging 15.2 points and 7.1 boards last year. Trevor Amalfitano joins Rivera as a key scoring option as he also averaged double figures last year at 12.0 points per game. The Hawks also welcome a pair of transfers in George Patsalos and Chris Whyte-Luciano, who bring valuable experience to the rotation. Under head coach Keith Kenney, New Paltz is embracing the challenge of a new conference and has all the makings of a team that could make some noise in its first NJAC season.
Newcomers to Watch: George Patsalos (JR; F; Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy/Christian Brothers University), Chris Whyte-Luciano (JR; G; Yorktown Heights, NY/Lakeland/Oswego State)
Head Coach Keith Kenney: "New Paltz men's basketball has been about competing and we are excited to compete against a great group of programs this season and in this new conference."
Ramapo
The Roadrunners are one of the youngest teams in the conference, but they return a strong frontcourt foundation. Orion Mickens is back after ranking second in the NJAC with 8.3 rebounds per game while adding nearly a block per contest. Jalen Thomas, who ranked seventh in the league at 6.1 rebounds per game, gives Ramapo a second physical presence on the glass, and Jack O'Leary rounds out the team's top offensive returners. Ramapo also welcomes a freshman class that is expected to gain valuable experience from day one. As the newcomers adjust to the college game, the Roadrunners' young core has the opportunity to grow together and build momentum as the season unfolds.
Newcomers to Watch: Josh Swain (FR; F; Westampton, NJ/Holy Cross Prep), Markus Polite (FR; G; Galloway, NJ/Cedar Creek HS), Chidi Chukwurah (FR; F; Sayreville, NJ/Sayreville HS), Mike Sullivan (FR; F; Brick, NJ/College Achieve)
Head Coach Chuck McBreen: "We are extremely young and our guys will have to make the adjustment to college/NJAC. Depending on how long that takes, will determine how far this team goes."
Rowan
The Profs earned three first-place votes and enter a new era under first-year head coach Rob DePersia, a former all-conference player at Rowan. Khalil Baker leads the offense after earning Honorable Mention All-Conference honors with 12.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Defensively, Rowan boasts two of the league's top disruptors: Ife Okebiorun led the NJAC with 1.5 blocks per game, while Khamai Orange ranked fourth with 1.9 steals per contest. An experienced group of transfers adds depth and positional size, giving the Profs the toughness on the defensive end and on the glass that DePersia expects to define this team.
Newcomers to Watch: James Johns Jr. (SR; G; Claymont, DE/Long Island Lutheran/West Chester/Fairfield), CJ Mundell (JR; Wing; Somerdale, NJ/Sterling/Holy Family), Liech Kong (JR; F; Arlington, VA/Rock Creek Christian/Goucher), Wisler Sanon (SR; G; Sicklerville, NJ/Paul VI/Saint Francis (PA))
Head Coach Rob DePersia: "Rowan will be an extremely talented team that plays with great toughness and competes at a high level defensively and on the glass. We have excellent depth and positional size, and we expect to excel in ball movement and decision-making. We believe this team has a very high ceiling and are excited about the opportunity to have a special season."
Rutgers-Camden
The Scarlet Raptors are reloading after a 14-win campaign and return a steady veteran presence to guide the way. Ryan Senft leads the offense after averaging 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game last season, giving Rutgers-Camden a versatile playmaker who impacts the game in multiple ways. CJ Edwards anchors the defensive effort, bringing toughness and leadership to a squad eager to establish its identity. Drew transfer Jalen Holmes adds frontcourt depth and experience to the rotation. With returners and newcomers coming together to fill the void, Rutgers-Camden is motivated to outperform its preseason projection and make a run at a playoff spot.
Newcomers to Watch: Jalen Holmes (JR; F; Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East/Drew)
Head Coach Stuart Pradia: "I hope that we can finally reach our goal of achieving our best as a group. We lost a lot from last year but I'm hoping that our returners and newcomers can come together to try and fill the void."
Rutgers-Newark
The Scarlet Raiders return one of the league's most promising young scorers in Raheem Murray, who earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors as a freshman after averaging 15.0 points per game and shooting 78.4% from the free-throw line. Elisha Brown leads the defensive effort after ranking second in the NJAC with 1.4 blocks per game, while also contributing 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest. A trio of newcomers adds fresh energy to a youthful roster. With a dynamic scorer and an established rim protector leading the way, Rutgers-Newark has a solid core in place as it looks to take a step forward this season.
Newcomers to Watch: Nesta Rice (FR; G; Mount Laurel, NJ/Medford Tech), Johnny Chaname (FR; G; Lyndhurst, NJ/Lyndhurst HS), Matt Slaby (JR; F; Lyndhurst, NJ/Lyndhurst/Brookdale CC)
Head Coach Joe Loughran: "We will be a young team that is hoping to make improvement from last season."
Stockton
The Ospreys earned three first-place votes and return what head coach Scott Bittner calls his deepest team to date. Justin Harper is back after earning Second Team All-Conference honors, averaging 15.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 79.1% from the line. Eriq Campbell (10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds per game), an Honorable Mention selection, and Charlie Bell (10.4 points per game) give Stockton additional scoring punch. Andrew Crawford ranked fourth in the NJAC with 3.4 assists per game and second with a 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio, while Devon Johnson and Alex Fessel add depth. Coming off a third-place finish, the Ospreys have the experience and talent to contend for the title.
Newcomers to Watch: Christopher Clark (JR; F; Irvington, NJ/Elizabeth), Tyshaun Boyd (FR; G; Orange, NJ/Newark Arts), Chris Delgado (FR; G; Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East), Clinton Suggs (FR; G; Glassboro, NJ/Williamstown), JaQuis Davis (JR; G; Newark, NJ/Newark Collegiate Academy)
Head Coach Scott Bittner: "Very excited about my group. This is the deepest team we have had to date and I am very pleased with their work ethic and preparation as we are about to start this season. Our question mark is do we take care of the ball!"
TCNJ
The Lions are coming off a 22-win season and a second-place finish in the NJAC standings, and they enter the new campaign with a young, hungry roster ready to make its mark. Lucas Dipasupil and Mason Mangione lead the offensive attack after gaining valuable experience in their rookie seasons. Khalid Bakare, who averaged 5.1 rebounds per game last season, and Jordan Robinson anchor the defensive effort. Newcomers Jamari Smith and Aiden Griffiths add depth to the backcourt and the rotation. In his second season at the helm, head coach Evan Elberg has the Lions focused on daily improvement and upholding the TCNJ Men's Basketball standard.
Newcomers to Watch: Jamari Smith (JR; G; Barnegat, NJ/Barnegat/Ocean CC), Aiden Griffiths (FR; F; Clifton, NJ/DePaul Catholic)
Head Coach Evan Elberg: "We have a young and hungry team who is looking forward to competing. We are focused on daily improvement and staying connected as a group."
William Paterson
The Pioneers return a young but experienced core led by Jack Gobel, who averaged 14.1 points per game last season while knocking down 2.1 three-pointers per contest and shooting 79.5% from the free-throw line, third-best in the NJAC. Jianni Moran joins Gobel as a top offensive returner. Defensively, Nahsir Merrick (0.9 blocks, 1.5 steals per game) and Delani Hyde (0.9 blocks per game) give William Paterson a pair of shot-blocking forwards to protect the rim. A trio of talented freshmen adds energy and depth to the rotation. With a blend of returning experience and promising newcomers, the Pioneers are poised to take a step forward in the NJAC.
Newcomers to Watch: Justin Graves (Wayne Hills HS), Jayden Ayala (Weehawken HS), Justin Hanson (Morris Knolls HS)
Head Coach Brian Chapman: "William Paterson is led by a core of young but experienced returning players along with several talented additions. The hope is to take a step forward in the NJAC for the 26-27 season."