NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State men's basketball team earned the top spot in the 2025-26 MEAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll, announced Wednesday afternoon at MEAC Basketball Media Day.

Voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors, the Spartans collected 12 first-place votes. Howard followed in second with four first-place votes, while South Carolina State finished third and Morgan State fourth. Delaware State and North Carolina Central tied for fifth, with Maryland Eastern Shore and Coppin State rounding out the poll.

Keyontae Lewis and Anthony McComb III both earned selection to the Preseason All-MEAC Third Team.

Lewis, a 6-9 forward from Richmond, Va., started 26 games for Wagner last season, averaging 5.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 52.8 percent from the field and 69.8 percent from the free-throw line.

McComb, a 6-3 guard from Dayton, Ohio, appeared in 32 games at New Hampshire, averaging 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. He scored in double figures 22 times, including a season-high 22 points against both Sacred Heart and Bryant.

The Spartans are coming off their fourth consecutive 20-win season, highlighted by a MEAC regular-season co-championship and a MEAC Tournament title that earned the program a trip to face top-seeded Florida in the NCAA Tournament.

Norfolk State opens the 2025-26 season at home in Echols Hall against Washington Adventist on Monday, Nov. 3, with tipoff set for 7 p.m.