Grand Valley State enters the 2026-27 season where it finished the last one, at the top. The Lakers won their second straight Division 2 national championship last March, beating Indiana (PA) 72-49 in the title game. GVSU went 36-1 and returns All-American MacKenzie Bisballe, making them the clear preseason No. 1.

Division II basketball is underway, and the nonconference schedule has title contenders, tournament rematches and cross-region tests on deck for both men’s and women’s teams.

The South Atlantic Conference enters the 2026-27 women’s basketball season following a year that showcased the league’s depth, competitive regular-season race and NCAA Tournament potential.

If you’re a fan of small-school college athletics, you know that December is a perfect time to kick off the season strong, and this week, FloCollege is bringing you a slate of high-stakes games featuring multiple nationally ranked teams from the latest WBCA poll.

Emory & Henry is 11th in the SAC poll after a 7-23 season, but the Wasps flashed a 5-1 nonconference mark.

Tusculum checks in 10th on the SAC preseason poll and returns a pair of backcourt anchors on the SAC Players to Watch list.

Newberry enters the 2025–26 season determined to make a move up the South Atlantic Conference standings. The Wolves were picked ninth in the league’s preseason coaches’ poll, positioning them as a team looking to surprise higher-ranked opponents.

UVA Wise is eighth in the SAC poll and embraces a youth-fueled reset with no seniors and depth across sophomores and freshmen.

Lincoln Memorial ranks seventh and stands out as the only program with two preseason All-SAC Conference honorees.

Catawba is sixth after a 17-12 overall season and 15-9 SAC mark that finished fifth in 2024–25.

Lenoir-Rhyne is fifth in the SAC poll and enters a new era under head coach Emry Tsitouris after her successful run at Mars Hill.

Anderson sits fourth with one first-place vote in the SAC preseason poll after a 24-10 season capped by a SAC Tournament championship and a 12-game win streak.

Wingate, third in the SAC preseason poll, carries momentum from a 19-11 season with a 17-7 SAC mark and a backcourt that drives winning habits.

Carson-Newman opens at No. 2 in the SAC poll with two first-place votes and its 11th straight season placing a player on the preseason first team.

Mars Hill is 12th in the SAC Preseason Poll and turns the page under new head coach NaJarius “JJ” Green, a program builder with a track record of rapid improvement.