HOUSTON – The University of St. Thomas men's basketball team will open the 2026-27 season right where it finished the last one: on top of the SCAC. The defending conference tournament champion Celts were picked to win the league in the SCAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, released Wednesday, collecting nine of 10 first-place votes and 81 total points.
The nod comes on the heels of the most successful season in program history. St. Thomas went 29-2 in 2025-26, ran the table in league play at 16-0, captured the SCAC Tournament title, and advanced to the NCAA Division III National Quarterfinals for the first time ever.
The Celts return two of the biggest names from that run. Senior Corey Thompson, a First Team All-SCAC selection, led the team at 15.4 points per game last season. Nicholas Buffalo, the reigning SCAC Tournament Most Valuable Player, is also back after saving his best for the biggest stage, pouring in a career-high 21 points in a 92-74 win over Concordia (Tex.) in the championship game.
Head coach Anthony Medina enters his 12th season at the helm after earning SCAC Coaching Staff of the Year honors for the fourth time in his career. Under Medina, St. Thomas has claimed four SCAC Tournament titles in seven years in the conference and posted two unbeaten league campaigns in the last four seasons. The Celts enter 2026-27 riding a 19-game SCAC win streak, and Medina owns a 96-12 record in league play. His .889 winning percentage is the best of any men's coach in SCAC history among those with at least five years in the conference.
Concordia (Tex.) was picked second with 72 points and the remaining first-place vote, followed by LeTourneau (65), Colorado College (56) and Centenary (45). Dallas (35), Texas Lutheran (34), Austin College (31), Ozarks (22) and Hendrix (9) round out the poll.
This season's SCAC Championships will be played at a neutral site for the first time in league history, as Brookshire Grocery Arena in Shreveport-Bossier hosts the tournament's 25th anniversary edition. The top six teams will compete for the conference crown and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship.
SCAC Basketball Media Days begin Monday, Oct. 26, and the Celts open the 2026-27 season on Friday, Nov. 6.
2026-27 SCAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses)
- St. Thomas (Tex.) (9) – 81
- Concordia (Tex.) (1) – 72
- LeTourneau – 65
- Colorado College – 56
- Centenary – 45
- Dallas – 35
- Texas Lutheran – 34
- Austin College – 31
- Ozarks (Ark.) – 22
- Hendrix – 9
