CORVALLIS, Ore – Eastern Oregon University Men's Basketball was picked to finish second in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Preseason Poll, earning 105 points and four first-place votes.

The Mountaineers enter the 2026-27 season looking to build on a successful 2025-26 campaign that saw Eastern Oregon earn a share of the CCC regular-season title. The Mountaineers finished conference play at 16-4, tying with Lewis-Clark State, before earning the No. 2 seed in the CCC Tournament through the conference's tiebreaker process.

Eastern Oregon carried that momentum into the NAIA National Tournament, earning an 87-78 overtime victory over (RV) LSU-Alexandria in the First Round to advance to the Second Round. The Mountaineers' season ended with an 86-59 loss to No. 9-ranked Langston. Under fifth-year Head Coach Chris Kemp, Eastern Oregon also received votes in the final NAIA poll of the season.

With just one starter departing from last year's squad, the Mountaineers return a strong core of experienced talent. Leading the way are All-Conference honoree and CCC Newcomer of the Year Eamon Monahan, All-Conference selection Keilan Torkornoo, and Honorable Mention recipient Logan Orchard.

Eastern Oregon also welcomes several newcomers, including freshman Tye Cornwall, a two-time 5A Southern Idaho Conference Player of the Year, and junior transfer Gabe Britton. Britton was a starter at Treasure Valley Community College, helping lead the Chukars to an East Region championship and an appearance in the NWAC Elite 8.

The Mountaineers will open the 2026-27 season at home against Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) before taking on a challenging non-conference schedule featuring (RV) Montana Tech and No. 25 Benedictine-Mesa. Eastern Oregon will also face NCAA Division I Gonzaga University in an exhibition matchup before beginning CCC play.

With a veteran core returning and new talent joining the program, Eastern Oregon will look to build on last season's championship success and compete for another strong finish in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.


2026-27 CCC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll

Team (First-Place Votes) Points 1. College of Idaho (3) 111 2. Eastern Oregon University (4) 105 3. Lewis-Clark State College (2) 103 4. Oregon Tech (1) 88 5. Corban University (1) 75 6. Southern Oregon University 69 7. Bushnell University 58 8. Northwest University 46 9. Warner Pacific University 31 10. The Evergreen State College 24 11. Walla Walla University                         16