BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced the 2026-27 Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish during the Men’s Basketball Media Day event on Wednesday, October 7
th. The Predicted Order of Finish was voted by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.
The Reigning Regular Season Champions, Bethune-Cookman was tabbed as the favorite with the No. 1 spot. Following the Wildcats, Southern was picked at the No. 2 spot. Alabama A&M (3
rd), Florida A&M (4
th), Prairie View A&M (5
th) and Jackson State (6
th) round out the top six spots in the Preseason Poll.
Alabama State (7
th), Grambling State (8
th), Texas Southern (9
th), Alcorn State (10
th), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (11
th), and Mississippi Valley State were tabbed to finish 7-12 respectively. Bethune-Cookman led the poll selections with 10 first place votes followed by Southern adding three. Jackson State, Alabama State and Texas Southern each added one first place vote.
The complete list of the 2026 SWAC Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish is listed below.
2026 SWAC Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
- 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
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at
www.swac.org.