Grand Valley State is the coaches’ preseason pick to win the GLIAC, tied with Lake Superior State on points but leading the poll with five first-place votes. The Lakers enter 2026-27 after a 26-win season, a GLIAC tournament title and their first NCAA tournament win since 2014.

By the Numbers
  • GVSU and Lake Superior State each received 89 points; GVSU had five first-place votes to Lake Superior State’s three.
  • GVSU went 26-7 in 2025-26 and beat Ashland 59-45 in the NCAA tournament.
  • Shamus Thompson averaged 6.5 rebounds and recorded 36 blocks last season.
  • Seven transfers and two freshmen join the Lakers for 2026-27.
Yes, But

The poll is a preseason forecast, not a result: Lake Superior State matched GVSU’s point total, while Michigan Tech finished just six points behind the co-leaders.

State of Play
  • GVSU returns defensive standout Shamus Thompson and senior Antaune Allen.
  • The roster also adds seven transfers, including Dylan Smith, who averaged 10 points and 6.4 rebounds at Davenport, and two freshmen.
  • Freshman Myles Sidney arrives as the program’s highest-ranked recruit; Marshawn Cocroft scored more than 2,200 points in high school.
Bottom Line

GVSU has the league’s preseason vote of confidence and a championship foundation, but a heavily refreshed roster will need to turn that promise into another title run.