MONTGOMERY, ALA. – Loyola claimed the majority of the first-place votes to earn the top spot in the 2025-26 SSAC Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll.
UT Southern was picked to finish third in the conference under second-year head coach Ross James, following an impressive 2024-25 campaign that saw the program go 13-9 and advance to the SSAC Tournament Semifinals in James' debut season.
The 2025-26 season begins with two NCAA exhibition games against Union University and UT-Martin. The Firehawks will officially open the season in the Kentucky Bluegrass Classic hosted by Brescia beginning on October 31. UT Southern will face Midway and Brescia in the two-day event.
William Carey captured the SSAC Regular Season Championship a year ago, while Blue Mountain Christian claimed the tournament title as the No. 8 seed. The 2026 SSAC Women's Basketball Championship is scheduled for February 25–28 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., with the top 10 teams in the standings qualifying for the tournament.
2025-26 SSAC Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
First-Place Votes |
| 1 |
Loyola |
115 |
(6) |
| 2 |
William Carey |
100 |
(3) |
| 3 |
UT Southern |
92 |
(1) |
| 4 |
Mobile |
80 |
|
| 5 |
Brewton-Parker Christian |
79 |
(1) |
| 6 |
Faulkner |
76 |
|
| 7 |
Life |
57 |
|
| 8 |
Blue Mountain Christian |
55 |
|
| 9 |
Point |
31 |
|
| 10 |
Thomas |
29 |
|
| 11 |
Abraham Baldwin |
12 |
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