BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Augustana men's basketball team was tabbed to finish tied for fifth and received a first-place vote in the 2025-26 NSIC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced by the league office on Thursday. In the same release, Tanner Te Slaa was named the Vikings' Player to Watch while the Vikings were selected to tie for third in the South Division.
 
Southwest Minnesota State was selected as the preseason favorite with 11 first-place votes and 219 points. The top five selections all hail from the South Division while Minnesota Duluth was selected to finish first in the North Division and tied for fifth overall with the Vikings. 

"To be returning 4 of 5 starters from a year ago, along with 7 of our top 9, is something that we are extremely excited about," said second-year head coach, Cody Schilling. "We also had a few key pieces out with injuries last season. Experience and depth will be a strength of ours this season. Even our young guys got a lot of quality playing time last season that we are hoping will pay dividends down the road." 

"This has been a fun and exciting group to work with so far this preseason"
 
The aforementioned Te Slaa was an All-NSIC Second Team selection in his first season with the Vikings. He averaged 13.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 34.6 minutes per game while starting all 28 games. He shot 37.4 percent from 3-point range while leading AU with 68 made 3-pointers and an 86.6 percent free throw percentage.

"Tanner is a returning All-NSIC guard and someone whom we believe to be one of the best shooters at the NCAA DII level. He is a great leader for us on and off the floor, a tireless worker and big time competitor. With his length and size on the wing he is also a guy that we lean on to help us on the defensive end, as well as on the glass. Look for Tanner to have a special senior season."
 
In all, Augustana returns 12 student-athletes from last year's team and welcomes three freshmen and two transfers.
 
The Vikings tip-off 2025-26 at the Tip-Off Classic hosted by Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Missouri, Nov. 14-15. The NSIC debut of Augustana is slated for Nov. 25 as Augustana plays at Wayne State and opens at home against Randall University on Nov. 29.
  
Overall Preseason Poll
Southwest Minnesota State (11), 219
St. Cloud State (2), 194
Minnesota State (1), 189
Concordia-St. Paul (1), 176
Augustana (1), 174
Minnesota Duluth, 174
MSU Moorhead, 138
Sioux Falls, 120
Winona State, 115
Wayne State, 101
Minot State, 79
Bemidji State, 71
Northern State, 58
Jamestown, 54
Minnesota Crookston, 30
UMary, 28

South Division Preseason Poll
Southwest Minnesota State (6), 48
St. Cloud State (2), 44
Augustana, 31
Minnesota State, 31
Concordia-St. Paul, 30
Sioux Falls, 15
Winona State, 14
Wayne State, 11