10/23/2026 | Men’s Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS – Drury men’s basketball has been tabbed for the No. 8 spot in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) 2026-27 Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the conference office announced Friday (Oct. 23).
Drury received 121 points in the poll, finishing behind preseason favorite McKendree (190) — which received nine of 15 first-place votes — as well as William Jewell (186, six first-place votes), Upper Iowa (146), Illinois Springfield (144), Indianapolis (140), Missouri S&T (136) and Missouri-St. Louis (125). Rounding out the poll was Rockhurst (80) in ninth place, followed by Quincy (67), Lincoln (64), Truman State (64), Lewis (44), Southwest Baptist (44) and Maryville (24).
The complete poll and voting results can be found below.No. School – Points (first-place votes)
1. McKendree – 190 (9)
2. William Jewell – 186 (6)
3. Upper Iowa – 146
4. Illinois Springfield – 144
5. Indianapolis – 140
6. Missouri S&T – 136
7. Missouri-St. Louis – 125
8. Drury – 121
9. Rockhurst – 80
10. Quincy – 67
T11. Lincoln – 64
T11. Truman State – 64
T13. Lewis – 44
T13. Southwest Baptist – 44
15. Maryville – 24
The Panthers bring back seven letterwinners from last year’s 17-14 club that advanced to the title game of the GLVC Tournament. Sophomore KeShaun Thomas is the Panthers’ top returner following a breakout rookie year in which he led all GLVC freshmen in scoring (14.8 ppg.) while pulling down a team-best 7.6 boards per game. The DU men open their season Nov. 9 with a home non-conference tilt against Ecclesia College.
Drury men’s basketball 2026-27 season and single-game tickets are on sale now through DruryPanthers.com. Contact Ed Beach with any questions via email at ebeach@drury.edu or phone at (417) 873-4097. Full season packages will be available for $220 for adults and $115 for youth, ages 13-18 (children under the age of 12 are admitted for free during the regular season). Additionally, Drury University faculty and staff are eligible for a discounted season ticket rate of $115 through the O’Reilly Family Event Center box office.