BETHLEHEM, Pa. – American University men's basketball was selected to finish first in the Patriot League preseason poll, while senior Greg Jones was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and joined sophomore Madden Collins on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team, the league office announced Thursday.
The Eagles received nine of the 10 available first-place votes and 81 points to take the top spot in the poll. Head coaches voted on the preseason poll and awards and were not permitted to vote for their own teams or student-athletes.
Jones enters his senior season as a two-time Patriot League All-Defensive Team selection. The Alexandria, Va., native earned Third Team All-Patriot League honors last season after averaging 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He helped the Eagles rank second in the Patriot League in scoring defense at 71.3 points per game.
Collins also earned Third Team All-Patriot League honors following his freshman season, when he averaged a team-high 13.4 points along with 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He shot 50.8 percent from the field and was also selected to the Patriot League All-Rookie Team.
Jones and Collins make American the only program with two players on the five-member Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
Defending Patriot League champion Lehigh was picked second with 72 points and the remaining first-place vote. Colgate and Boston University tied for third with 61 points apiece, followed by Navy in fifth.
Simpkins will join Field of 68 moderators Jeff Goodman and Rob Dauster on the Patriot League Basketball Media Day call on Monday, October 5. Simpkins will be on at 9:05 a.m., as the first coach to go following an introduction at 9 a.m. The entire event can be seen on the Field of 68 YouTube and X accounts.
AU Men's Basketball Season Memberships are on sale now!
- Memberships start at just $125 and include an exciting slate of home games, exclusive member benefits, and significant savings over single-game tickets.
- Season members receive priority access to postseason tickets, a flexible ticket exchange policy, season member gift and invitations to exclusive events with AU coaches and players.
- Single game tickets will go on sale in October.
- Call 202-885-2617 or click HERE to secure your seats today.
2026-27 Patriot League Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
- American – 81 (9)
- Lehigh – 72 (1)
T3. Colgate – 61
T3. Boston University – 61
- Navy – 42
- Bucknell – 39
- Lafayette – 29
- Holy Cross – 28
- Loyola Maryland – 26
- Army West Point – 11
Preseason Player of the Year
Hank Alvey, Lehigh, Jr., F/C
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Greg Jones, American, Sr., F
Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Madden Collins, American, So., G
Greg Jones, American, Sr., F
Kyrone Alexander, Boston University, Sr., G
Andrew Alekseyenko, Colgate, So., F
Hank Alvey, Lehigh, Jr., F/C
For the latest on American University Men's Basketball, stay tuned to
AUEagles.com and follow the team on X (
@AU_MBasketball), Facebook (
/AU.MBasketball) and Instagram (
@au_mbasketball).
