The University of Minnesota Men's Basketball Team has been selected to finish third in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll, and first in the North Division. Last Season, UMD finished fifth overall in the NSIC, and won the North Division title.

The Bulldogs received 195 points in the poll overall, including a first-place vote, and 49 points in the North Division, collecting seven of eight first place votes. Minnesota State, Mankato was picked as the preseason favorites with 216 points and eight first place votes, with St. Cloud State with 211 points and six first place votes picked ahead of them. 

Caleb Siwek was selected as the NSIC North Preseason Player of the Year for the 2026-27 season. The graduate guard from Rosemount, Minnesota had 35 starts and averaged 15.6 points per game last season for the Bulldogs and earned NSIC Tournament MVP.

The Bulldogs will face Carleton in an exhibition match on November 1st, before hosting Concordia-St. Paul in a non-conference matchup at home to start the season on November 9th.