CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announces that Buffalo is predicted to defend its title, as voted on in the 2026 Men’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll on Wednesday. The Bulls received 25 team points, including five first-place votes from the league’s six head coaches. 

Western Michigan trails the defending champions in second place with 21 team points and one first-place vote. Toledo was predicted to be third with 15 points, followed by UIC in fourth with 12 points, and Northern Illinois with 11 points. Ball State rounds out the preseason poll in the No.6 spot with 6 collected points.

Additionally, the Bulls were predicted to take home the tournament trophy with five votes, while the Broncos received the one final vote for tournament champion.

The 2026 men’s tennis regular season kicks off this Saturday, Jan. 10, with Ball State as the first team to take the court at Indiana. Western Michigan, Toledo, UIC, and Buffalo will open their respective season the following week. Northern Illinois will welcome IU Indy to DeKalb, Ill., on Friday, Jan. 23, as its first opponent of the new season.

The 2026 MAC Men’s Tennis Championship will be played on April 18-19 at the UB Tennis Courts/ Miller Tennis Center in Buffalo, NY.

2026 Men’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll
(First-place votes)
1. Buffalo, 25 pts. (5)
2. Western Michigan, 21 pts. (1)
3. Toledo, 15 pts.
4. UIC, 12 pts.
5. Northern Illinois, 11 pts.
6. Ball State, 6 pts.
 
MAC Tournament Champion: Buffalo (5), Western Michigan (1)