BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Bethel (Tenn.) is the preseason favorite to capture the 2026-27 Mid-South Conference women’s basketball regular-season title, the conference officials announced on Wednesday.

The Wildcats received 34 voting points and four of the seven first-place votes from the conference coaches. Bethel reached the NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals last season, finishing with a 28-6 overall record.

Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) is a close second in the poll, receiving 33 voting points and the final three first-place votes. The Lions also reached the NAIA National Championship final site last season, posting a 29-4 record.

Bethel and Freed-Hardeman shared the MSC regular-season crown last season, with the Lions winning the conference tournament championship.

Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) is third in the voting with 22 points, followed by Georgetown (Ky.) with 21 voting points. Campbellsville (Ky.) is fifth in the conference's preseason poll with 20 points, followed by Cumberlands (Ky.) with 10 voting points and Cumberland (Tenn.) with seven voting points.

Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

The 2027 Mid-South Conference Men’s Basketball Championship runs from Feb. 24 to March 1 at various host sites across the MSC.

 

2026-27 Mid-South Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Pos.	Team	Points (First-Place Votes)	2025-26 Record (MSC)
1.	Bethel (Tenn.)	34 (4)	28-6 (9-3)
2.	Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.)	33 (3)	29-4 (9-3)
3.	Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)	22	23-9 (7-5)
4.	Georgetown (Ky.)	21	25-9 (6-6)
5.	Campbellsville (Ky.)	20	25-8 (7-5)
6.	Cumberlands (Ky.)	10	19-12 (3-9)
7.	Cumberland (Tenn.)	7	15-14 (1-11)