2026-27 A-R-C Men's Basketball Preview

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The 2026 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) men's basketball season is slated to be an exciting season as it is up in the air who really could come out on top in February. The Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairie Wolves were selected as the preseason favorite to claim the regular season title this season.

Conference action will tip off on January 6, 2027 and run through February 20, 2027 as the programs will play a double round robin. The conference tournament will kick off on February 23 and the tournament champion will receive the league's automatic berth to the 2027 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament.
2026-27 American Rivers Conference
Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Place | Team (first-place votes) | Points
1. | Nebraska Wesleyan University (3) | 44
2. | University of Dubuque (2) | 41
3. | Loras College (1) | 37
4. | Coe College (1) | 34
5. | Central College (1) | 22
6. | Buena Vista University | 21
7. | Wartburg College | 16
8. | Simpson College | 9

*coaches cannot vote for their own institution*

Buena Vista University:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 14-12 overall, 7-9 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 5th

Buena Vista enters the 2026-27 season under second-year head coach Jeff Horner after finishing fifth in the conference with a 14-12 overall record and a 7-9 mark in conference play last season. The Beavers return a strong core of four starters, led by Carter Sievers and Jayden Brink. Adam Bryte and Kyle Sternberg also return to the starting lineup, while Jaden Jones, Shane Bierle, Eli Salas, and Landon Blatchford bring back valuable varsity experience. The Beavers will have 11 new faces on this court this year, so having a strong core will be beneficial as the team becomes fully integrated.

"We bring back a very good nucleus of Carter Sievers, Jayden Brink, Adam Bryte, and Kyle Sternberg. With us bringing in eleven new players, these four will be heavily relied on to help us accomplish our goal which will always be to win a conference championship! Jaden Jones, Shane Bierle, Eli Salas, and Landon Blatchford all return with varsity experience as well. We are excited about the season and cannot wait to get going!" ~ Jeff Horner

Central College:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 12-13 overall, 5-11 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 8th

Central enters the season under second-year head coach Conor Riordan looking to build on a 12-13 overall record and a 5-11 mark in conference action last season. The Dutch return all five starters, including Owen Schipper, Kyle Cason and Anthony Gott. Brad Curren and Carson Jones also return to the starting lineup, providing valuable continuity as Central looks to improve on its eighth-place conference finish. 

"We have a good nucleus of returners along with some talented newcomers and are excited to compete in our deep, well-balanced league." ~ Connor Riordan

Coe College:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 19-8 overall, 10-6 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 

Coe enters the season under third-year head coach John Payan looking to grow on a 19-8 overall record and a third-place finish in the A-R-C with a 10-6 league mark last season. The Kohawks return three starters, led by Jackson Bowman, Kanyon Bryte and Deuce Walters. While Coe will look for new faces to step up and replace starters Cooper Nailor and Ryan Dolphin, the returning core and incoming newcomers have continued to build chemistry throughout the preseason. 

“We are excited for another season competing against the talented teams and coaches in the American Rivers Conference. Our group has made good progress throughout the preseason as our returners and newcomers continue to learn how to compete and work together. We’re excited to see how we continue to develop throughout the season." ~ John Payan

University of Dubuque:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 18-10 overall, 9-7 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 4th

The University of Dubuque enters the season under 20th-year head coach Robbie Sieverding. The Spartans continuing to gain momentum on an 18-10 overall record and a fourth-place finish in the league with a 9-7 mark last season. The Spartans return four starters, led by Grady Thompson and Jacob Williams, along Ethan Henderson and Josh Senica. UD will look to replace starter Jalen Scott while relying on its experienced returning core to remain competitive in a balanced conference race. 

"Should be a very exciting conference season. I believe the balance of our conference will make for some great matchups and ultimately an interesting race to the finish." ~ Robbie Sieverding

Loras College:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 20-8 overall, 12-4 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 2nd

Loras enters the 2026-27 season under 11th-year head coach Chris Martin looking to build on a successful 2025-26 campaign, finishing 20-8 overall and 12-4 in league play to claim a runner-up finish. The Duhawks return three starters, led by Nolan Berendes, Kyle Kober and Johnny Semany. Loras will look to replace starters Gavin Sarvis and Jack Haynes while building on last season’s success with an experienced returning core.

"We are excited to compete against such great programs in the A-R-C.” ~ Chris Martin

Nebraska Wesleyan University:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 18-8 overall, 13-3 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: 1st

Nebraska Wesleyan enters the 2026-27 season under 13th-year head coach Dale Wellman looking to defend its A-R-C title after finishing 18-8 overall and 13-3 in conference action last season. The Prairie Wolves return two starters, Christian Winn and Jared Townsley. Neal Mosser also returns to the Nebraska Wesleyan squad after earning honorable mention honors last season. Winn, Townsley, and Mosser will provide returning experience as Nebraska Wesleyan works to replace starters Amun Collins, Nick Howard, and Seth Newton. 

“Lots of good coaches and teams with less conference games will make for an exciting A-R-C season.” ~ Dale Wellman

Simpson College:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 9-16 overall, 6-10 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: T-6th

Simpson enters the season under third-year head coach Kyle Jones looking to build on a 9-16 overall record and a tie for sixth place in the league with a 6-10 A-R-C mark last season. The Storm return three starters in Calix Cahill, Isaac Averill, and Spencer Holley, providing an experienced foundation as they prepare for the upcoming campaign. With no returning all-conference selections, Simpson will rely on a combination of returning players and newcomers to establish new roles and build chemistry.

“The American Rivers Conference is a battle on a night in, night out basis. We will have a mixture of returners and newcomers vying for new roles this season.  Our success will depend on how well we can play together as a connected group.” ~ Kyle Jones

Wartburg College:
2026-27 Schedule | 2026-27 Roster
2025-26 Record: 14-12 overall, 6-10 A-R-C
2025-26 Conference Finish: T-6th

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