New York, NY| The St. Joseph's University (L.I.) women's and men's basketball teams were selected to finish fourth and sixth, respectively, according to the Skyline Conference's 2026-27 preseason coaches polls released by the conference on Tuesday afternoon.
Head coach
Kerry Connolly will be entering his sixth season wit the Golden Eagles after a strong season. The women's basketball team ended the 2025-26 season with a 15-11 overall record, 11-9 conference games, made it to the first round of the Skyline Conference Tournament and lost to Farmingdale State. This year the Golden Eagles welcomes eight freshman and one transfer. Senior
Megan Spina makes her comeback to the squad after not playing in the 2025-26 season due to injury. The team placed fourth with 68 points, topping Farmingdale State by one point. Merchant Marine topped the pre-season poll with 100 points and ten first place votes. Mount Saint Mary landed for second place earning 91 points an done first place vote, and Manhattanville placed third with 84 points.
AJ Uhl enters his fifth season as the head coach for the men's basketball team. The Golden Eagles ended the 2025-26 season with a 12-14 overall record, 8-8 conference record, and made it to the first round of the Skyline Conference tournament, which they fell to Farmingdale State. This year the squad welcomes nine new members to the team and welcomes back key returners
Kenny Rodriguez,
AJ Esposito, and
TayShaun Hawkins. The Golden Eagles placed sixth overall in the poll with 71 points, and tied second in the black division. Farmingdale State tops the preseason poll with 118 and eight first place votes. Following behind is defending champions Yeshiva with 112 points and three first place votes. Sarah Lawrence takes third place with 91 points.
2026-27 Skyline Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll (Black Division)
Rank, Team, Pts. (first-place votes)
1. Farmingdale State, 25 (5)
T2. St. Joseph's-Long Island, 18 (1)
T2. Maritime, 18
4. Merchant Marine, 15
T5. Old Westbury, 7
T5. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn, 7
2026-27 Skyline Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll (Gold Division)
Rank, Team, Pts. (first-place votes)
1. Yeshiva, 25 (5)
2. Sarah Lawrence, 20
3. Purchase, 15 (1)
4. Manhattanville, 13
5. Mount Saint Vincent, 12
6. Mount Saint Mary, 5
2026-27 Skyline Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll (Full Poll)
Rank, Team, Pts. (first-place votes)
1. Farmingdale State, 118 (8)
2. Yeshiva, 112 (3)
3. Sarah Lawrence, 91
4. Maritime, 89
5. Purchase, 76
6. St. Joseph's-Long Island, 71
7. Manhattanville, 60
8. Merchant Marine, 47
9. Mount Saint Vincent, 42
10. Old Westbury, 36
11. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn, 35
12. Mount Saint Mary, 15
2026-27 Skyline Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
Rank, Team, Pts. (first-place votes)
1. Merchant Marine, 100 (10)
2. Mount Saint Mary, 91 (1)
3. Manhattanville, 84
4. St. Joseph's-Long Island, 68
5. Farmingdale State, 67
6. Sarah Lawrence, 47
7. Mount Saint Vincent, 41
T8. Purchase, 40
T8. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn, 40
10. Yeshiva, 18
11. Old Westbury, 9
