Florida Southern is picked third in the Sunshine State Conference preseason poll after reaching last season’s conference semifinals and the NCAA regional. The Moccasins return 10 players and add seven newcomers as they aim to contend for a championship.

By the Numbers
  • Florida Southern finished 22-11 overall and 13-7 in conference play in 2025-26.
  • The Mocs received 28 poll points; top-ranked Nova Southeastern received 11 first-place votes, and second-ranked Palm Beach Atlantic received two.
  • Florida Southern retained 10 players and added four transfers and three freshmen.
State of Play
  • Nova Southeastern is the preseason favorite after winning its sixth straight SSC tournament title.
  • Florida Southern opens the season Nov. 7 against West Liberty, then faces Black Hills State on Nov. 8.
  • Both games are part of the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, hosted by the Mocs in Lakeland.
Bottom Line

Florida Southern enters the season with a strong returning core and a retooled roster, but the preseason poll places it behind the conference’s top two teams. Its opening-weekend matchups will offer an early test against nationally competitive Division II programs.