MONTGOMERY, Ala. – After finishing the 2025-26 season ranked No. 24 in the final NAIA Coaches' Poll and advancing to the Second Round of the NAIA National Championship, the UT Southern women's basketball team has been selected fourth in the 2026-27 Southern States Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll.
The Firehawks earned 141 points in the voting, placing behind preseason favorite Loyola, William Carey, and Faulkner. UT Southern is one of six programs projected to finish among the conference's top contenders entering the upcoming season.
The fourth-place preseason selection reflects the continued rise of the Firehawks' program, which enjoyed one of its most successful campaigns last season. Now under first-year head coach Greg Tipps, UT Southern enters the new season with expectations of once again competing near the top of the SSAC standings and earning another postseason berth.
Loyola topped the poll with 191 points and nine first-place votes after capturing last year's SSAC regular-season championship. William Carey was second with 179 points and four first-place votes, while Faulkner claimed the remaining first-place vote and checked in third with 169 points.
UT Southern was followed by Life and Xavier, which tied for fifth with 135 points apiece. Blue Mountain, Brewton-Parker, Mobile, Thomas, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Point, Andrew, and Wesleyan rounded out the poll.
The Firehawks will begin their 2026-27 campaign later this month as they look to build on last season's national ranking and deep postseason run.
2026-27 SSAC Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll
- Loyola – 191 (9)
- William Carey – 179 (4)
- Faulkner – 169 (1)
- UT Southern – 141
- Life – 135
- Xavier – 135
- Blue Mountain – 106
- Brewton-Parker – 97
- Mobile – 86
- Thomas – 82
- Abraham Baldwin – 52
- Point – 42
- Andrew – 32
- Wesleyan – 23
The 2027 SSAC Women's Basketball Championship, presented by Chappy's Deli, is scheduled for Feb. 23-27 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
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