NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' Cowboy basketball team was selected as the favorite to win the American Southwest Conference championship in the 2026-27 ASC Preseason Poll, as voted on by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.
The Cowboys received 65 points and six first-place votes in the poll after another successful season under head coach
Matt Brackett. Hardin-Simmons edged Mary Hardin-Baylor for the top spot.
Three Cowboys were named ASC Players to Watch in
Chris Bryant,
Asher Fleming and
Silas Davis. Bryant and Fleming each earned All-ASC honors a season ago, while Davis was recognized as the ASC Men's Basketball Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year.
Hardin-Simmons was one of two teams to receive six first-place votes in the preseason poll, finishing with a narrow three-point advantage over Mary Hardin-Baylor. Howard Payne was selected third, followed by McMurry, Schreiner and East Texas Baptist.
2026-27 ASC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Hardin-Simmons, 65 (6)
2. Mary Hardin-Baylor, 62 (6)
3. Howard Payne, 37
4. McMurry, 35
5. Schreiner, 28
6. East Texas Baptist, 25
The Cowboys will open the 2026-27 season on Nov. 6 against California Lutheran in the Mabee Athletic Complex. All HSU home games will be on FloCollege this season. You can get your Flo Subscription
here.
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