COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Lindsey Wilson women's basketball team opens up the 2026-27 campaign ranked sixth in the 'Gared Preseason NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches Poll' the national office released Wednesday; the highest pre-season ranking for the Blue Raiders in the last decade. 

The Blue Raiders are coming off a 23-9 record and a trip to the round of 16 in the NAIA National Tournament. Lindsey Wilson finished 7-5 in Mid-South Conference play last season before a loss in the quarterfinals of the MSC tournament to the University of the Cumberlands (Ky,). 

Defending champion Marian (Ind.) holds the top spot of the coaches poll heading into the fresh slate. Dakota Wesleyan (S.D) is slotted at second after finishing last season at 29-7; Dakota State (S.D) follows in third rounding out the top-three. 

Bethel (Tenn.) is ranked fourth and the first of five Mid-South Conference foes within the top-11 of the poll. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) sits in fifth of the coaches' pre-season top-25. Campbellsville (Ky.) and Georgetown (Ky.) represent the MSC at No. 8 and No. 11, respectively. 

Cumberland (Tenn.) and University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) are both receiving votes heading into the 2026-27 season. 

The Lindsey Wilson University Blue Raiders will open up the season on Friday, Oct. 23 against Miami-Middletown (Ohio) at 6 p.m CT at Biggers Sports Center.