BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Defending regular-season champion Bethune-Cookman was picked to finish first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s basketball preseason poll released Wednesday at the league’s media day.
The Wildcats collected 181 points and 10 first-place votes in balloting by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors, finishing 33 points ahead of second-place Southern.
Southern received 148 points and three first-place votes. Alabama A&M was picked third with 143 points, just five behind the Jaguars.
The middle of the projected standings was even tighter. Florida A&M edged Prairie View A&M by a single point for fourth place, 125 to 124. Jackson State was picked sixth with 105 points.
Alabama State was projected seventh with 102 points, followed by Grambling State (95), Texas Southern (75), Alcorn State (61), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (57), and Mississippi Valley State (32).
Five teams received at least one first-place vote. In addition to Bethune-Cookman and Southern, Jackson State, Alabama State, and Texas Southern each drew one, though none of the three was projected to finish higher than sixth.
2026-27 SWAC Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
(First-place votes in parentheses)
- Bethune-Cookman, 181 (10)
- Southern, 148 (3)
- Alabama A&M, 143
- Florida A&M, 125
- Prairie View A&M, 124
- Jackson State, 105 (1)
- Alabama State, 102 (1)
- Grambling State, 95
- Texas Southern, 75 (1)
- Alcorn State, 61
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 57
- Mississippi Valley State, 32
