Ole Miss Ranks 19th in AP Preseason Poll
The Rebels secure a spot in the Top 25 for the fourth consecutive year following a national ranking announcement.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball
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The Ole Miss women's basketball team has earned the No. 19 position in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 rankings. This selection marks the fourth consecutive year that the Oxford program has appeared in the preseason poll.
Why it matters
The ranking reflects the continued stability of the Rebels, who have maintained national relevance behind a program that has secured five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin holds a career record of 149-107 across nine seasons. Meanwhile, the Big Ten conference saw nine of its member teams land positions in the preseason Top 25.
The players
Ole Miss
The university fields competitive athletic programs including a women's basketball team based in Oxford.
Yolett McPhee-McCuin
She serves as the head coach of the Ole Miss women's basketball team.
Associated Press
This news agency publishes influential weekly rankings for collegiate sports programs.
The details
The Rebels enter the new campaign with a track record defined by sustained tournament success. The team's inclusion in the rankings highlights their consistency under the current coaching staff as they prepare for another competitive schedule.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: The AP released the preseason Top 25 rankings.
2023: Ole Miss earned a No. 12 preseason AP ranking.
2024: Ole Miss earned a No. 20 preseason AP ranking.
2025: Ole Miss earned a No. 12 preseason AP ranking.
Season Trajectory
This preseason ranking positions the Rebels to extend their run of five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. The team's placement relative to the 2024 preseason AP Top 25 poll suggests a recovery in national standing compared to last season.
The No. 19 ranking serves as a benchmark for the team's projected strength heading into the non-conference schedule. Fans can anticipate that this position will factor heavily into early-season bracketology projections and resume building for tournament eligibility.
The takeaway
The team's sustained presence in the rankings indicates a consistent trajectory for the basketball program under the current coaching leadership. Following this preseason momentum, the Rebels must maintain their output against a highly competitive conference field.
Further reading
For more updates on the upcoming season, visit the Oxford Basketball page.
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