ATLANTA, Ga. (November 3, 2023) – For the second-straight season, Rhodes was selected by conference coaches as the favorite in the 2023 SAA women’s basketball preseason poll.
 
The defending SAA Tournament champion Lynx garnered 47 points and five first place votes to finish just ahead of defending regular season champs Centre with 41 points and the remaining three first place nods. Millsaps came in third with 35 points while Berry and Oglethorpe tied for fourth with 31 points.
 
SAA 2023-24 SAA Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Rhodes - 47 pts (5)
2. Centre - 41 pts (3)
3. Millsaps - 35 pts
T4. Berry - 31 pts
T4. Oglethorpe - 31 pts
6. Hendrix - 17 pts
7. Birmingham-So. 15 pts
8. Sewanee - 7 pts
 
Rhodes was runner-up in the conference regular season a year ago, going 17-12 overall and 10-4 in league play. They then went on a run to the SAA tournament title and grabbed the conference’s ticket into the NCAA Tournament. The Lynx return last season’s SAA Defensive Player of the Year in Taylor Dupree and All-SAA guard Avery Marsh. Centre won the league last year after a 20-8 overall record and 12-2 SAA season. Junior guard Bailey Rucker was first team All-SAA a year ago and returns to lead the Colonels. Fellow 2022-23 All-SAA first teamers Keimarya Rivera of Oglethorpe and Millsaps’ Haley Franklin headline the class of returners across the league.
 
Four SAA schools tip off the season on Wednesday, November 8. Oglethorpe hosts Covenant, Hendrix welcomes Ozarks and Birmingham-Southern will play the University of Mobile. Berry travels to Huntingdon. Centre at Greensboro, Millsaps at Huntingdon, and Rhodes at East Texas Baptist start their years on Friday, November 10. Berry and Sewanee spend the first weekend in the LaGrange tip-off classic.
 
Fans can follow SAA hoops all season long with live links on SAA-Sports.com.