Winston-Salem State Earns No. 8 Preseason Ranking

The Rams enter the 2026-27 basketball season as the only HBCU in the national top 25 rankings.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Basketball

Winston-Salem State Earns No. 8 Preseason Ranking

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Winston-Salem State has secured the No. 8 spot in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Division II preseason poll. This high national standing follows a dominant 28-4 season and a 2026 CIAA tournament championship win.

Why it matters

The ranking recognizes the program's rapid ascent and recent postseason success, including a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament. It marks a significant turnaround from the team's 6-20 record during the 2025-26 season.

Winston-Salem State earned 411 points in the latest WBCA preseason poll. The team previously maintained an undefeated 13-0 record at home during the 2025-26 campaign.

The players

Winston-Salem State University

This public historically black research university is located in North Carolina and fields competitive athletic teams in the CIAA conference.

Nevaeh Farmer

A standout basketball player for the Rams who earned MVP honors at the 2026 CIAA Tournament.

Women's Basketball Coaches Association

This professional association represents women's basketball coaches at all levels of play and manages the national division rankings.

The details

The team solidified its reputation last season by defeating Fayetteville State 60-43 in the CIAA title game, where Nevaeh Farmer earned MVP honors. The program continues to build on its momentum after reaching the Sweet 16 in the 2026 NCAA Division II Tournament.

The 2025-26 season concluded with a 6-20 record.
CIAA Basketball Media Day took place in October 2026.
The WBCA Division II preseason poll was released on October 27, 2026.
Winston-Salem State opens its 2026-27 season against Chowan on November 13, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The high preseason ranking positions the Rams as a major contender to repeat their 2026 CIAA championship run. This national recognition sets the stage for the team to challenge for a higher seed in the upcoming NCAA Division II tournament bracket.

Fans can look forward to the home opener at the C.E. Gaines Center on November 13 against Chowan. The team's current ranking suggests high demand for tickets to see the roster attempt to replicate last season's undefeated home performance.

The takeaway

Maintaining a top-tier ranking requires consistent performance throughout the long college basketball season. Supporters should monitor how the team manages expectations as they transition from being underdogs to one of the most visible programs in Division II.