Get ready for a thrilling basketball season ahead! The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks are making waves, securing a historic second-place ranking in the 2025-26 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Men's Basketball Preseason Poll. This marks only the third time in the program’s history that the Redhawks have climbed so high in the preseason predictions, a testament to their growing dominance on the court. But here’s where it gets even more exciting: SEMO is hot on the heels of Little Rock, the preseason favorite, who narrowly edged them out with 188 points and 12 first-place votes. The Redhawks aren’t far behind, tallying 177 points and six first-place nods of their own. And this is the part most people miss—SEMO’s stellar 21-12 overall record and 15-5 OVC performance last season earned them their first-ever outright regular-season title and a double bye in the postseason tournament. Can they build on that momentum this year? Only time will tell.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While Little Rock sits atop the poll, some fans argue that SEMO’s returning talent and last season’s success make them a stronger contender than the rankings suggest. Among the Redhawks’ key players is forward Brendan Terry, a Second-Team All-OVC selection who averaged 11.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season. Terry’s consistency—scoring in double figures in 18 of his 33 starts—makes him a force to be reckoned with. Guards Braxton Stacker and BJ Ward are also turning heads. Stacker, despite coming off the bench in most games, averaged 8.9 points and 3.1 rebounds, while Ward’s sharp-shooting (51 three-pointers) and playmaking (74 assists, 30 steals) make him a dual threat.
The rest of the OVC poll is no less competitive, with SIU Edwardsville, Tennessee State, Lindenwood, and Morehead State rounding out the top six. Teams like Tennessee Tech, UT Martin, and Southern Indiana are also poised to make their mark. Here’s a bold question for you: With SEMO’s rising star and Little Rock’s slim lead, is the OVC poll underestimating the Redhawks’ potential? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
As the season tips off on November 3 with SEMO facing Saint Louis, fans are buzzing with anticipation. Will the Redhawks soar to new heights, or will Little Rock maintain its grip on the top spot? One thing’s for sure—this season promises edge-of-your-seat action from start to finish. Don’t miss it!
