After 11 weeks of exciting action on HBCU diamonds that featured exciting matchups and actress of stand out players and performances, we have reached the final poll rankings for 2026 and a champion will be crowned. 5. UAPB Golden Lions (24–34, 15–12) — 64 pts After being unranked the previous week , the Lions of Arkansas Pine Bluff clawed their way into the final poll rankings at No.5. The Lions did what many did not see coming, and that was take down no.1 seed Bethune-Cookman, who had been the best…
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Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Major Division Softball Top 5
Dr. Cavil’s Final HBCU Softball Poll: Breaking Down the Top 5 Teams in the Nation The final edition of Dr. Cavil’s 2025-26 HBCU Major Division Softball Poll is here, and after a season filled with dominant conference runs, statement victories, and postseason pushes, the nation’s top programs have officially been ranked. Here is how the final rankings shook out. No. 5 — Texas Southern Tigers (30-12 ,17-6) The Tigers end the season at No.5 in the poll rankings. Texas Southern’s season came to an end in the elimination round of the SWAC…
Read MoreDr. Cavil’s HBCU Mid-Major Baseball Poll: Week 9 Top 5 Rankings
Week 9 of Dr.Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Mid Major Division Baseball Top 5 saw no new teams enter the fray, as every team is a holdover from the previous week. Here’s this week’s countdown from No. 5 to No. 1. 5. Savannah State Tigers ( 27-20 , 23-10) The Tigers of Savannah State remain at no.5 in the weekly rankings. SSU’s time in the SIAC Tournament was short lived as they fell 9-4 to top-seeded Spring Hill in their opening round matchup . Savannah State was outslugged 13-10…
Read MoreDr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Week 12 Women’s Major Division Top 5 Rankings
Week 12 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Women’s Major Division Top 5 rankings featured one new addition, with minimal movement among the remaining four programs. As postseason play wraps up across multiple tournaments, each team’s final impression played a role in shaping this week’s poll. 5. Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (20–15, 11–3) The Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks enter the rankings at No. 5 after being unranked a week ago. UMES caps off a historic season despite a 61–42 loss to Youngstown State Penguins in the second round…
Read MoreDr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Week 12 Women’s Major Division Top 5
The Week 12 edition of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Women’s Major Division Top 5 mirrors the previous poll, as no teams entered or exited the rankings. Stability defines this week’s list, with each program maintaining its position heading into postseason play. No. 5 — Edward Waters Lady Tigers (23-6, 21-3 SIAC) Edward Waters holds firm at No. 5 after a historic campaign. The Lady Tigers wrapped up the regular season at 23-4 overall and 21-3 in SIAC play—both program benchmarks since transitioning to the NCAA level. Their…
Read MorePrairie View, Southern Crash the Party as Tennessee State Holds No. 1 in Week 11 HBCU Top 5
March basketball brought chaos—and opportunity—to the HBCU landscape. Conference tournament play reshaped Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Men’s Major Division Top 5 in Week 11, as Prairie View A&M and Southern surged into the rankings behind deep SWAC Tournament runs. While new contenders emerged, the top of the mountain remained unchanged, with Tennessee State continuing its reign as the nation’s top HBCU program heading into the NCAA Tournament. 5. Southern Jaguars (17–17, 11–7) The Jaguars re-enter the rankings after being unranked a week ago, thanks to a strong…
Read MoreHoward Rises to No. 1 as Shakeups Define Week 11 HBCU Women’s Major Division Rankings
Movement was the name of the game in Week 11 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Women’s Major Division Top 5, as a new team entered the rankings and nearly every returning program shifted positions from the previous week. 5. Alabama State Hornets (17-15, 12-6) The Hornets are the only team in the Top 5 that did not change position this week. Alabama State made an impressive run through the SWAC Tournament, advancing to the championship game before falling to defending champion Southern, 73-56. 4. Southern Jaguars (19-13,…
Read MoreMid-Major Shakeup: Week 11 Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Rankings See Major Movement Without New Additions
Though there were no new additions to the rankings, there was significant movement in Week 11 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Men’s Mid-Major Top 5, with four of the five teams shifting positions from the previous week. No. 5 – Tuskegee Golden Tigers (22-8, 19-5) The Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University fall one spot to No. 5 in this week’s rankings. Tuskegee advanced to the SIAC Tournament championship game but was defeated 66-56 by Morehouse, bringing their season to a close. No. 4 – Morehouse Maroon Tigers…
Read MoreDr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Week 11 Women’s Mid-Major Division Top 5 ranking
Week 11 of Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Women’s Mid-Major Top 5 rankings brought stability, as no new teams entered the poll and each program held firm in its previous position. Despite postseason setbacks across the board, all five squads maintained their standing to close out the rankings. ⸻ No. 5 – Edward Waters Lady Tigers (23-6, 21-3) The Lady Tigers of Edward Waters University remain at No. 5 after a dominant run through the SIAC, finishing 21-3 and atop the Eastern Division. However, their postseason took an…
Read MoreDr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU SPorts Lab Week 10 Women’s Major Division Top 5 rankings
Week 10 of Dr.Cavil’s Inside the HBCuU Sports Lab Women’s Major Division Top 5 saw a new team enter the mix , while two other teams changed positions in the rankings. 5.Alabama State Hornets ( 15-14, 12-6) The Hornets of Alabama State enters the pols at No.5 , after being unranked the previous week. Alabama State ended the regular season winning seven of their last ten games and finished tied for third, along with Southern, in the SWAC. 4. Norfolk State Spartans ( 16-13, 11-3) Norfolk State dropped a spot…
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