Lancaster, Pa. – (11/5/2026) – Now, just a day before the start of the season, Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Commissioner Rebecca Mullen has officially released the results of the 2026-2027 AEC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll. Gwynedd Mercy University received 19 total points from the league's six head coaches to rank second in the field. Marymount University headlined the results as they claimed to top spot in the forecast with four first-place votes and 24 total points.
Despite receiving the remaining two first-places votes, Centenary University (N.J.) ranked third in the poll with 17 total points. The rest of the field included Immaculata University (15 total points), Saint Elizabeth University (8), and Pratt Institute (7).
In their first season under Coach Artis, the second-seeded Gwynedd Mercy University earned their spot in the 2025-2026 AEC Men's Basketball Championship with a commanding 96-77 semifinal victory over #3 Centenary University (N.J.) (Feb. 26). As a result, the Red and Gold hosted #4 Neumann University for the crown. From beginning to end the AEC title bout delivered in every way as the Voices of Gwynedd Mercy University provided a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem before the Griffins and Knights fiercely competed from tip-off until final buzzer. In the end, Neumann University benefited from some late calls and converted on their following chances at the free throw line to edge Gwynedd Mercy University in a 66-65 conclusion. The Red and Gold finished the campaign 19-8 overall and 11-3 in the AEC.
Senior guard
Mazen Sayed (Chichester, Pa.), senior
Zaiyin Keys (Chichester, Pa.), junior guard
Bruce Smith (Philadelphia, Pa.), and junior forward
Justin Savage (Philadelphia, Pa.) captain Gwynedd Mercy University's 2026-2027 roster; a rollcall that also includes a pair of experienced junior forwards in
Cam Lane (Philadelphia, Pa.) and
Kelvin Crawford (Darby, Pa.). Smith averaged 12.1 points per game (PPG) in his first season with the Griffins and was a major contributor to the Red and Gold defense with 4.6 rebounds per game (RPG), 30 steals, and 10 blocks. Sayed did a little of everything in his junior campaign with 9.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 69 assists, 25 steals, and three blocks. Keys is Gwynedd Mercy University top returning perimeter threat with 30 makes and a .411 (30-for-73) three-point percentage (3PT%) last year.
The complete results of the 2026-2027 AEC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll are available list below and available by using the provided links.
2026-2027 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank. Team |
Points |
First-Place Votes |
| 1. Marymount University |
24 |
4 |
| 2. Gwynedd Mercy University |
19 |
|
| 3. Centenary University (N.J.) |
17 |
2 |
| 4. Immaculata University |
15 |
|
| 5. Saint Elizabeth University |
8 |
|
| 6. Pratt Institute |
7 |
|
