FAYETTE, Iowa- Peacock men's basketball was tabbed third in Friday's Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) poll. UIU received 146 votes.

During Casey Kasperbauer's first season in 2025, the Peacocks amassed an overall record of 17-1. Kasperbauer also led the team to the conference tournament as the seventh seed with a 12-8 GLVC record. 

The Peacocks return 13 players from last season's team, including four of their top five scorers: Kyle Hrncir, Jack Miller, Tate Petersen and Cael Reichter. The group accounted for 47.4 points per game, or 57% of the team's scoring.

Hrncir returns as the team's leading rebounder and assister, averaging nine rebounds and four assists per game. Petersen shot 61-of-135 (45.2%) on 3-pointers, and Reichter shot 93-for-150 (62%) from the field last season.  

McKendree (Ill.) claimed first, receiving 190 votes with nine first-place votes. William Jewell (Mo.) took second, receiving 186 votes with six first-place votes. Illinois Springfield finished fourth with 144 votes, while UIndy finished fifth with 140 votes 

The preseason poll is selected by the league's head coaches, who, per GLVC Bylaws, are not permitted to vote for their own team.

Upper Iowa begins its season with an exhibition game on Thursday, Oct. 29, at Northern Iowa at 7 p.m. UIU starts the regular season vs. Sioux Falls (S.D.) on Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. The Peacocks begin GLVC play at Quincy (Ill.) on Monday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m.