PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Rhode Island was picked to finish 12th in the 2025-26 Atlantic 10 Preseason Men's Basketball Poll, released Tuesday morning by the conference.

VCU and Saint Louis were separated by just one point at the top of the poll. Both teams received 11 first-place votes in voting among the league's head coaches and media members. VCU edged the Billikens for first place, getting 342 points compared to 341 for Saint Louis. Dayton - which received three first-place votes - finished third in the poll with 321 points.

Rounding out the top five were George Washington (296) and Loyola Chicago (286). The Ramblers recevied a pair of first-place votes.

Rhode Island has almost an entirely new roster for the 2025-26 season. The Rams brought in eight Division I transfers to a roster that returns one scholarship player who saw playing time last season. Redshirt senior forward Drissa Traore played in all 31 games while serving as a team captain a year ago.

URI will be looking to build on its 18-13 record from 2024-25, which included a 7-11 mark in Atlantic 10 play.

2025-26 Atlantic 10
Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. VCU (11) - 342
2. Saint Louis (11) - 341
3. Dayton (3) - 321
4. George Washington - 296
5. Loyola Chicago (2) - 286
6. George Mason - 254
7. Saint Joseph's - 195
8. St. Bonaventure - 185
9. Duquesne - 155
10. Richmond - 142
11. Davidson - 107
12. Rhode Island - 102
13. La Salle - 56
14. Fordham - 53
Number in parenthesis indicates number of first-place votes