CANTON, Ga. - The Trinity Tigers have been selected as the 25-26 preseason favorite for the Southern Athletic Association (SAA).
The Tigers earned 52 points with four first place votes, followed by reigning SAA Champion at No. 2 Centre with 46 points and two first place nods. Tied for third is Berry and Millsaps. The Majors earned one first place vote and Oglethorpe rounded out the top five with 36 points.
Voting was conducted among the SAA's eight head coaches.
2025-6 WBB PRESEASON POLL RESULTS
1. Trinity - 52 (4)
2. Centre - 46 (2)
T3. Berry - 37
T3. Millsaps - 37 (1)
5. Oglethorpe 36
T6. Rhodes - 26 (1)
T6. Sewanee - 26
8. Southwestern - 20
In their first year with the SAA, Trinity enters the conference after an impressive run to the SCAC Championship game last season, finishing with a 10-6 conference record. The Tigers return a talented core while still looking to replace some strong seniors who graduated last season.
Centre made history last season, upsetting Millsaps in the SAA Tournament to capture its first-ever tournament championship. The Colonels field a young roster this year with no seniors but feature key returners in All-SAA performers Lilly Reid and Ka'Niah Edelen.
Tied for third in the preseason poll are Berry and Millsaps. The Vikings return Briaiah Lewis, the reigning SAA Newcomer of the Year, alongside All-SAA honoree Elly Callihan. Millsaps,under new head coach Jeff Wilbur, looks to build on last season’s success behind senior Elyse Warren, an All-SAA selection, and Garin Freeman, the reigning SAA Defensive Player of the Year.
The 2025-26 season tips off on Friday, November 7, with a few programs hitting the court early. By Sunday, November 9, all teams will have opened their campaigns.
The 2026 SAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is set for February 26–28 in Mount Berry, Georgia, hosted by Berry College.
SAA Women’s Basketball Regular Season Champions
2024-25 - Millsaps (10-2)
2023-24 - Millsaps (12-2)
2022-23 – Centre (12-2)
2021-22 – Rhodes (12-0
2020-21 – Millsaps (10-1)*Covid altered season
2019-20 – Oglethorpe (14-0)
2018-19 – Millsaps (12-2)
2017-18 – Oglethorpe (11-3)
2016-17 – Birmingham-Southern (10-4)
2015-16 – Birmingham-Southern/Millsaps (11-3)
2014-15 – Millsaps (12-2)
2013-14 – Rhodes (13-1)
2012-13 – Centre/Millsaps/Rhodes
For more information on all things SAA, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the SAA's home on the internet at
www.saa-sports.com. Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Southern Athletic Association news by following @SAA_Sports on Twitter (X) and @SAA_Sports on Instagram.