Men's Basketball 10/6/2026 9:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Picked Ninth In Hoops Poll

Central Oklahoma Men's Basketball Begins Season Oct. 30 In Wisconsin

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Central Oklahoma was picked ninth in both the MIAA Preseason Basketball Coaches' Poll and the Media Poll, the league announced Tuesday.

Central Oklahoma is in Kansas City for MIAA Basketball Media Day presented by Seigfried Bingham ahead of the 2026-27 season.

"We're just ready get started again," UCO head men's basketball coach Bob Hoffman said. "We're excited, it's a new season. We've got some new players to figure out how they can help us but we like the bunch that came back. To have 10 players return is incredible.

"We have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time," Hoffman continued. "We are grateful to be able to tipoff in October and we're looking forward to it."

Defending MIAA champion Washburn was picked first and received 12 of 14 first-place votes in the poll of league head coaches. Central Missouri was picked second and received one first-place vote. Missouri Western was picked third and Missouri Southern fourth, with MSSU receiving the final first-place vote.

Arkansas Fort Smith, Rogers State, Pittsburg State, and Fort Hays State were picked 5-8 in front of the Bronchos. Northwest Missouri, Nebraska Kearney, Emporia State, Northeastern State, and Newman were picked below UCO 10-14.

In the media poll, it's Washburn, Rogers State, Central Missouri, then Missouri Western, Fort Hays State, and Arkansas Fort Smith. Missouri Southern is seventh followed by Pitt State and UCO. Northwest, Kearney, NSU, Emporia, and Newman are 10-14.

Central Oklahoma went 17-16 last season with a 9-10 record in the MIAA. The Bronchos finished tied for eighth in the final standings.

UCO opens the new season later this month. Monday was the first day of practice and the Bronchos tipoff October 30 in Wisconsin. Central Oklahoma will play Northern Michigan, West Texas, and Harding as part of the D2CCA Tipoff Classic.

The Bronchos' home opener is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9 against Texas A&M Texarkana.

This season's roster has 10 players back from 2025-26.

Jacobi Sebock earned All-MIAA honors in 2024-25 and was limited to just seven games last season due to injury. He averaged 15.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game before being sidelined in November.

Sophomore Brady Hancuff played in all 33 games as a true freshman a year ago and third-year sophomore Trey Tuck played in 32 of 33 games during his redshirt freshman season last year. Jack Robinson was a key player that made 29 appearances and 12 starts.

Senior Jayden Garces made 18 appearances for the Bronchos in reserve duty last season. Youngsters Carter Roman Nose (seven games), Noah Eckels (five), and Levi Kelly (one) all gained experience during a redshirt year. UCO also returns Jarreth Ingram and Sebastian Perry, who did not play last season. Ingram played in 54 games over his first two seasons.

Hoffman begins his eighth season leading Central Oklahoma. He took over the program in 2019-20 when the team was picked last in the MIAA preseason polls. UCO won the league title in 2021-22. Hoffman is 130-82 in seven seasons at Central.

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Players Mentioned

#22 Noah Eckels: F; 6' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

#14 Jayden Garces: F; 6' 6"; Senior

#23 Brady Hancuff: F; 6' 7"; Sophomore

#33 Jarreth Ingram: F; 6' 8"; Junior

#13 Levi Kelly: G; 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

#3 Sebastian Perry: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#15 Jack Robinson: G; 6' 1"; Junior

#0 Carter Roman Nose: G; 6' 3"; Redshirt Freshman

#4 Jacobi Sebock: F; 6' 7"; Graduate Student

#2 Trey Tuck: G; 6' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#22 Noah Eckels
: 6' 11"; Redshirt Freshman
: F

#14 Jayden Garces
: 6' 6"; Senior
: F

#23 Brady Hancuff
: 6' 7"; Sophomore
: F

#33 Jarreth Ingram
: 6' 8"; Junior
: F

#13 Levi Kelly
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman
: G

#3 Sebastian Perry
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

#15 Jack Robinson
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G

#0 Carter Roman Nose
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Freshman
: G

#4 Jacobi Sebock
: 6' 7"; Graduate Student
: F

#2 Trey Tuck
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: G