Jackson, Mich. —- The Marian University Men's Basketball team was picked to finish fifth in the Crossroads League preseason coaches' poll, the league office announced Wednesday afternoon.
 
The Knights are under the direction of first-year head coach Steve Drabyn, who led Crossroads League member Bethel University to 148 wins across seven seasons, including five trips to the NAIA Tournament and a national quarterfinal appearance in 2020-21.
 
Marian brings in nine newcomers to the program in 2026-27, after the Knights finished in a tie for ninth in conference a season ago.
 
The Knights open up the 2026-27 season on the road against NAIA defending national champion Freed-Hardeman on Saturday, Oct. 24. They make their home debut on Tuesday, Nov. 3, hosting IU Southeast.