BOSTON – The Vermont men's basketball team has been selected as the league favorite in the 2026-27 America East Preseason Poll. The Catamounts received seven first-place votes and scored 62 points in the poll. America East also announced its Preseason All-Conference Team, which featured UVM forward Gus Yalden.
 
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Voting was conducted by the league's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own team. UMBC was picked second in the poll, receiving one first-place vote and 46 points, while Binghamton received the other first-place vote and finished with 45 points. NJIT (38 pts) and Bryant (36 pts) rounded out the league's top five.

The Catamounts enter the 2026-27 campaign as preseason favorite for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons. Vermont has been selected first in the preseason poll 12 times in 16 seasons under Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker.

Yalden earned a Preseason All-Conference honor after making the America East All-Conference First Team last season. The Appleton, Wisconsin native averaged 16.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and shot 50.7% from the field last season.
 

2026-27 Men's #AEHoops Preseason Poll
1. Vermont 62 (7)
2. UMBC 46 (1)
3. Binghamton 45 (1)
4. NJIT 38
5. Bryant 36
6. UAlbany 34
7. UMass Lowell 31
8. Maine 19
9. New Hampshire 13
 
2026-27 Preseason All-Conference Team
Name                         Pos.      Yr.        School
David Bolden              G          So.       NJIT
Keegan Harvey            F          Sr.        Bryant
Demetrius Lilley          C          Sr.        Binghamton
Victor Okojie                G         So.      UMass Lowell
Jeremiah Quigley        G          Sr.        Binghamton
Gus Yalden                  F          Jr.         Vermont
 
UVM opens the 2026-27 regular season on Nov. 2 when they face off against Iona on the road at 7 p.m. ET. Prior to the regular season, the Cats will host three exhibitions against Holy Cross, Stonehill, and Saint Michael's on Oct. 17, Oct. 24 and Oct. 28.
 
Vermont Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of 2025-26 Vermont Men's Basketball Season
 
For more news about the Vermont men's basketball program, follow @UVMmbb on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com.