Can Southern run it back? The Jaguars are preseason SWAC favorites

Southern had a magical run to a SWAC championship and an NCAA tournament run a year ago.

The Jaguars are expected to play deep into March again, following the team’s selection as preseason favorites.

Southern, which won 21 games and became the first SWAC program to win a women’s NCAA tournament game, earned 265 total points and 14 first-place votes to secure the top spot in the poll.

Alabama A&M followed closely behind in second with 224 points and five first-place votes, while perennial power Jackson State finished third with 213 points and one first-place nod.

“I don’t know how everyone came up with that conclusion, but we are going to give it our best shot,” said coach Carlos Funchess at SWAC basketball media day about the team’s preseason ranking. “I don’t put a lot of stock in preseason rankings. You have to go out and win on the court.”

The Jaguars will feature a new-look roster that includes seven players from the transfer portal, who will be infused with veteran guard D’Shante Edwards and Jocelyn Tate, who were pivotal to the team’s success a year ago.

“They are going to be the cornerstones of what we do, Funchess said. “They set the tone, especially defensively.”

Southern will open its regular season on Nov. 3 in Iowa City, Iowa, against the University of Iowa before returning home for its home opener on Nov. 18 against Tougaloo College.

2025-26 SWAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll

1. Southern – 265 (14)

2. Alabama A&M – 224 (5)

3. Jackson State – 213 (1)

4. Texas Southern – 202 (1)

5. Grambling State – 186 (2)

6. Alcorn State – 164

7. Bethune-Cookman – 119

8. Florida A&M – 111

9. Alabama State – 98

10. Prairie View A&M – 93

11. Arkansas-Pine Bluff – 63

12. Mississippi Valley State – 56