image via Alexis Blue/SWAC
The votes are officially in.
The Southwestern Athletic Conference has released its 2026-27 Women’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish, and the preseason race already has plenty of intrigue.
Southern has been picked to finish first, but the reigning SWAC regular-season champion Alabama A&M is right on its heels.
The Lady Jaguars received 234 points and 10 first-place votes, while Alabama A&M collected 229 points and eight first-place votes — just a five-point difference between the top two teams.
That sets up an intriguing season between the team that won the 2026 SWAC Tournament and the team that captured the regular-season crown.
2026-27 SWAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank | Team | Points | 1st-Place Votes |
| 1 | Southern | 234 | 10 |
| 2 | Alabama A&M | 229 | 8 |
| 3 | Alabama State | 195 | — |
| 4 | Alcorn State | 183 | — |
| 5 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 169 | 3 |
| 6 | Grambling State | 162 | 1 |
| 7 | Florida A&M | 128 | — |
| 8 | Jackson State | 128 | — |
| 9 | Bethune-Cookman | 97 | — |
| 10 | Texas Southern | 94 | — |
| 11 | Mississippi Valley State | 65 | — |
| 12 | Prairie View A&M | 31 | — |
The poll was voted on by the SWAC’s head coaches and sports information directors. (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Keep an eye on UAPB
Arkansas-Pine Bluff may be one of the most interesting teams outside the top four.
The Golden Lions were picked fifth but received three first-place votes, more than any team outside Southern and Alabama A&M.
UAPB also produced the conference’s Preseason Player of the Year, as senior guard Indiya Bowen earned the honor after averaging 14.9 points per game last season.
Southern’s Jocelyn Tate was selected as the SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference with 66 steals last season.
The Top of the SWAC Is LOADED
Southern enters the season with the target on its back after winning the SWAC Tournament.
Alabama A&M, meanwhile, has plenty of reason to believe it can make a championship run after winning the regular-season title and coming within five points of Southern in the preseason voting.
Alabama State was picked third after reaching the SWAC championship game last season, while Alcorn State and UAPB round out the preseason top five.
WHO’S RIGHT?
The preseason voters have spoken.
But preseason polls don’t win championships.
Is Southern really the team to beat?
Or is Alabama A&M being slept on after winning the regular-season title?
And don’t forget about Alabama State, Alcorn State and UAPB.
WHO IS YOUR SWAC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FAVORITE FOR 2026-27? 👇🏾
1️⃣ Southern
2️⃣ Alabama A&M
3️⃣ Alabama State
4️⃣ Alcorn State
5️⃣ Arkansas-Pine Bluff
🔥 Somebody else
