CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa --- Men's basketball was voted seventh in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) preseason coaches' poll ahead of the 2026-27 season the league announced on Thursday, Oct. 29.
 
The Knights finished with 16 points in the poll and four different teams received a first-place vote.
 
Head Coach Sam Leal enters year three at the helm of Wartburg men's basketball with his staff of Kade Terell and Clayton Vette.
 
The Knights return three out of last year's main starting five as well as six players with eight or more minutes averaged per game a season ago. The Orange & Black's returners are highlighted by the reigning conference Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-Conference honoree, Austin Bienemann, as well as another Second Team All-Conference honoree in Ethan Yungtum.
 
Wartburg finished last season with an overall record of 16-11 (6-10 A-R-C) and was able to clinch a spot in the A-R-C Tournament for a second-straight season after missing the conference tournament in 2023-24.

Full Poll
1. Nebraska Wesleyan University - 44 (3)
2. University of Dubuque - 41 (2)
3. Loras College - 37 (1)
4. Coe College - 34 (1)
5. Central College - 22
6. Buena Vista University - 21
7. Wartburg College - 16
8. Simpson College - 9

From the A-R-C
Under third-year head coach Sam Leal, the Knights are looking to build on a 14-12 overall record and a sixth-place finish in the A-R-C with a 6-10 league mark last season. The Knights return three starters, Austin Bienemann, Ethan Yungtum and Cael Schramm. Wartburg will look to replace starters Luke Ladwig and Gabe Trujillo while leaning on its experienced returning group to compete in a deep A-R-C field. 

"We have a terrific group of young men returning to compete with all of the talented teams in the American Rivers Conference." ~ Sam Leal