Cal State San Bernardino is the coaches’ pick to win the 2026-27 CCAA men’s basketball title, narrowly topping Cal Poly Humboldt in a poll that underscores a crowded race. The Coyotes are aiming to rebound after missing last season’s conference tournament.

By the Numbers
  • Cal State San Bernardino: 178 points and 6 first-place votes.
  • Cal Poly Humboldt: 176 points and 2 first-place votes.
  • Just 15 points separated the top 4 teams; all 4 received multiple first-place votes.
Yes, But

The preseason favorite finished 14-15 overall and 11-11 in conference play last season, narrowly missing the six-team CCAA Tournament. Defending regular-season and tournament champion Cal State East Bay ranked third, while Cal State Dominguez Hills placed fourth.

State of Play
  • CSUSB closed last season by winning 5 of its final 8 games, including victories over Humboldt and Chico State.
  • The Coyotes won the 2023 CCAA Tournament and reached the NCAA national semifinals in 2023 and 2024.
  • The CCAA Tournament will expand to 7 teams and return to Coussoulis Arena in San Bernardino.
What's Next

CSUSB opens its season Oct. 30 against Western Washington at the Central Washington D2 Tip-Off Classic. CCAA play starts Dec. 3, and the conference tournament runs March 3-6.

Bottom Line

The poll puts CSUSB narrowly on top, but the tight vote—and last season’s results—suggest the Coyotes will need to earn their way back into the conference’s postseason mix.