Pioneers Tabbed Third in SAC Preseason Poll Following Successful National Tournament Run

PLAINVIEW, Texas – The Sooner Athletic Conference has released its 2026-27 Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll, with the Wayland Baptist Pioneers selected to finish third in the 12-team conference after receiving 99 points from the league's head coaches.

The Pioneers enter the upcoming season under Head Coach Clint Galyean looking to build on a successful 2025-26 campaign that featured a 24-8 overall record, a 16-6 mark in Sooner Athletic Conference play, a trip to the SAC Tournament semifinals, and an appearance in the second round of the NAIA Men's Basketball National Tournament.

Wayland's postseason success highlighted one of the program's strongest recent campaigns, as the Pioneers earned the No. 3 seed in the SAC Tournament before advancing to the national stage.

The Pioneers opened conference tournament play with a dominant 89-46 victory over sixth-seeded Mid-America Christian. Wayland controlled the contest from start to finish, building a 45-20 halftime advantage and cruising to a 43-point victory. The Pioneers knocked down 13 three-pointers and collected 50 rebounds in the win before falling to second-seeded Langston, 75-53, in the conference semifinals.

Despite the loss, Wayland's body of work throughout the season earned the Pioneers an at-large berth in the 2026 NAIA Men's Basketball National Tournament, where they received the No. 7 seed in the Naismith Quadrant.

Making their return to the national tournament, the Pioneers delivered one of their most impressive performances of the season in the opening round against 10th-seeded Carroll College (Mont.).

Wayland erupted for 116 points in a 116-94 victory over the Fighting Saints in Chandler, Arizona, securing the program's first NAIA National Tournament victory since its Sweet 16 appearance during the 2017-18 season.

The Pioneers took a 53-45 lead into halftime before exploding for 63 second-half points to pull away for the 22-point victory. Wayland shot 54.3 percent from the field and connected on 14 three-pointers in the contest, showcasing the offensive firepower that helped fuel its successful season.

The victory advanced Wayland to the second round, where the Pioneers faced second-seeded Arizona Christian University. Despite a strong second-half comeback effort, Wayland fell 91-82 to the Firestorm, bringing its memorable postseason run to an end.

The Pioneers finished the season averaging 83.1 points per game while holding opponents to 71.9 points per contest.

With 24 victories, a conference semifinal appearance, and a national tournament win, the Pioneers enter the 2026-27 campaign looking to carry that momentum into another competitive season.

Returning Players

Wayland returns six players from last season's squad, providing the Pioneers with experienced leadership and familiarity with the program's expectations.

Junior guard Julian Perez returns after establishing himself as a key contributor in the Pioneers' backcourt. The Cayey, Puerto Rico, native appeared in 26 games, making 18 starts, while averaging 10.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Perez also contributed 86 assists and 27 steals while connecting on 36 three-pointers during the season. He played an important role in Wayland's postseason run, scoring 11 points in the second-round matchup against Arizona Christian.

Senior forward Chuks Ejiofor returns to help anchor Wayland's frontcourt. The 6-foot-6 Dallas, Texas, native provided valuable production on both ends of the floor last season and played a significant role in the Pioneers' postseason success. Ejiofor recorded five blocked shots and added 10 points in Wayland's SAC Tournament quarterfinal victory over Mid-America Christian.

Senior forward Jordan Logan also returns after appearing in all 32 games last season, making nine starts. The 6-foot-8 St. Louis, Missouri, native averaged 6.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 51.7 percent from the field. Logan also recorded 33 blocked shots during the season and contributed 11 points in Wayland's national tournament matchup against Arizona Christian.

Junior guard Niels Guinchard, a native of Annemasse, France, returns after appearing in 21 games for the Pioneers. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 2.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 54.3 percent from the field.

Junior forward Daryl Bod returns after seeing action in six games last season. The 6-foot-6 Ivry-sur-Seine, France, native averaged 5.2 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 63.2 percent from the field in limited action.

Junior guard Noah Johnson, a native of Des Moines, New Mexico, also returns to the Pioneers after seeing limited action last season and will look to provide additional depth in the backcourt.

With several players returning from a national tournament roster, Wayland will look to utilize that experience and leadership as it prepares for another challenging conference schedule.

Newcomers and Transfers

Along with its returning players, Wayland welcomes four transfers who bring experience from both NCAA and junior college programs.

Senior guard Isaiah Foster joins the Pioneers from NCAA Division I Prairie View A&M University. The 6-foot Frisco, Texas, native adds collegiate experience to Wayland's backcourt.

Senior forward Predrag Panisic comes to Plainview from NCAA Division II Coker University in South Carolina. The 6-foot-7 native of Kragujevac, Serbia, brings additional size and experience to the Pioneers' frontcourt.

Junior guard Isaiah McAdams joins Wayland after competing at Lakeland Community College in Ohio. The 6-foot-5 Toronto, Canada, native adds length and versatility to the guard position.

Senior guard Freddie Cooper transfers to Wayland from NCAA Division II St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas. The 6-foot-2 St. Louis, Missouri, native provides another experienced option in the Pioneers' backcourt.

In addition to the four transfers, Wayland welcomes five freshmen from across Texas.

The incoming backcourt includes Jonathan Williams, a 5-foot-11 guard from Mansfield Timberview High School in Fort Worth; Christian Kelley, a 6-foot-2 guard from San Antonio Reagan High School; and Jeron Lawrence, a 6-foot guard from Brownfield High School.

Wayland also adds Talmadge Taylor, a 6-foot-5 forward from San Angelo Central High School, and Moustafa Abualneel, a 6-foot-7 forward from Plano East High School.

With a combination of returning postseason experience, collegiate transfers, and young talent, the Pioneers will look to remain among the top contenders in the Sooner Athletic Conference while pursuing another opportunity to compete on the national stage.

SAC Preseason Poll

Nelson University enters the 2026-27 season as the conference favorite after receiving 115 points and six first-place votes. The Lions captured the 2025-26 SAC regular-season championship before advancing to the NAIA National Tournament.

Langston follows closely in second with 113 points and six first-place votes. The Lions advanced to the NAIA National Championship game last season after a successful postseason run.

Wayland sits in third with 99 points, followed by Mid-America Christian in fourth with 92 points. Texas Wesleyan rounds out the top five with 76 points.

The Pioneers will open the 2026-27 season on Monday, October 26, when they travel to Sarasota, Florida, to face New College of Florida. Wayland will then take on Ave Maria University on Tuesday, October 27, before returning to Plainview for its home opener against Northern New Mexico College on Thursday, November 5, at 6 p.m. inside the Hutcherson Center.

2026-27 SAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll

First-place votes are listed in parentheses.

SAC Men's Basketball Media Day

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