Jackson State Basketball 🏀 is RANKED What?
2026 Men’s SWAC Media Day Preview
Who owns the
SWAC conversation?
The men’s 2026-27 preseason breakdown: every program, the players representing it, the coaches setting the direction, and the debate behind the predictions.
Men’s edition | October 7, 2026 | Preseason selections are expectations, not season results.
The favorite. The headliners. The debate.
Bethune-Cookman opens as the favorite, followed by Southern and Alabama A&M. Jackson State has the preseason Player of the Year and two first-team selections but sits sixth. FAMU owns the defensive award and a fourth-place projection.
SWAC announced Media Day for Wednesday, October 7, at 10:00 a.m. Central at the Embassy Suites in Birmingham, with all twelve head coaches and two athletes per program. The broadcast is available through SWAC TV.
Who is your men’s SWAC title pick?
Poll not found
0 community votes
Scoring force. Defensive disruptor.
Daeshun Ruffin is SWAC’s Preseason Player of the Year. Antonio Baker is the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The awards were selected by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.
Daeshun Ruffin
Jackson State
Ruffin led the SWAC at 23.3 points per game and averaged 1.6 steals. The returning guard is the individual headliner for a team picked sixth.
Explore the statistical context
Prior-season figures from SWAC’s awards release.
Antonio Baker
Florida A&M
Baker averaged 1.2 steals and had ten games with at least two. He also earns second-team recognition.
Explore the statistical context
Prior-season figures from SWAC’s awards release.
Which storyline are you watching most closely?
Poll not found
0 community votes
Award statistics describe the prior season, not 2026-27 games.
First team & second team
Six schools share the ten selections. Jackson State, Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M and Alabama A&M have two each; Alabama State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff have one each. Honorees and Media Day representatives are separate lists.
All-SWAC First Team
- Daeshun RuffinOfficial bio / roster ↗
Jackson State - Daniel RouzanOfficial bio / roster ↗
Bethune-Cookman - Michael JamesOfficial bio / roster ↗
Alabama State - Dorian McMillianOfficial bio / roster ↗
Jackson State - Jaquan SandersOfficial bio / roster ↗
Florida A&M
All-SWAC Second Team
- James GrahamOfficial bio / roster ↗
Alabama A&M - Sami PissisOfficial bio / roster ↗
Alabama A&M - Quentin HeadyOfficial bio / roster ↗
Bethune-Cookman - Antonio BakerOfficial bio / roster ↗
Florida A&M - Jalen TatumOfficial bio / roster ↗
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Where the recognition is concentrated
Which school’s All-SWAC group stands out most?
Poll not found
0 community votes
Predicted order of finish
Bethune-Cookman leads with 181 points, 33 ahead of Southern. Poll points measure preseason votes; they are not projected wins.
Official poll points. Click a school to open its team breakdown. See source notes for conflicting published details.
See all 12 rankings and source notes
| Rank | Program | Points | First-place votes* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethune-Cookman | 181 | 10 |
| 2 | Southern | 148 | 3 |
| 3 | Alabama A&M | 143 | — |
| 4 | Florida A&M | 125 | — |
| 5 | Prairie View A&M | 124 | — |
| 6 | Jackson State | 106 | 1 |
| 7 | Alabama State | 102 | 1 |
| 8 | Grambling State | 95 | — |
| 9 | Texas Southern | 75 | 1 |
| 10 | Alcorn State | 61 | — |
| 11 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 57 | — |
| 12 | Mississippi Valley State | 32 | — |
Source discrepancy: the supplied SWAC poll graphic lists Jackson State at 106 points; SWAC’s written table lists 105. This article follows the supplied graphic. Both place Jackson State sixth. Parentheses in the graphic indicate first-place votes; a dash means none are shown.
Which preseason placement is your biggest debate?
Poll not found
0 community votes
Find your school. Meet the voices.
Each school includes its two Media Day representatives and one head coach. Open a profile for roster details and an official extended biography. The questions and keys to watch are SheLovesThee editorial analysis, not coach quotes.
12 of 12 programs shown
Bethune-Cookman
The favorite carries the targetBethune-Cookman leads with 181 points and 10 first-place votes. Daniel Rouzan and Quentin Heady earn preseason honors; Jameel Morris and Mari Jordan represent the Wildcats.
Jameel Morris
Guard • 6'1" • Sr.
Roster details
Guard | 6'1" | Sr. | Willingboro, N.J. | Jersey #1
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Mari Jordan
Guard • 6'6" • R-Jr.
Roster details
Guard | 6'6" | R-Jr. | Atlanta, Ga. | Jersey #3
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Reggie Theus
Program leadership
Roster details
Listed head coach on the official athletics page.
2026-27 Men's Basketball
Thee question for Reggie Theus
How do you turn the favorite label into consistent conference execution?
Key to watch: Protect possessions and build a dependable scoring rotation.
Roster source: 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Open official roster.
Southern
Second place, championship expectationsSouthern is second with 148 points and three first-place votes, despite having no players on the two supplied All-SWAC teams.
Aaron Hall
Forward • 6'8" • Sr.
Roster details
Forward | 6'8" | Sr. | Charlotte, NC | Jersey #4
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Julian Greer
Guard • 6'6" • So.
Roster details
Guard | 6'6" | So. | Houston, TX | Jersey #8
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Kevin Johnson
Program leadership
Roster details
Listed head coach on the official athletics page.
2026-27 Men's Basketball
Thee question for Kevin Johnson
How will Aaron Hall and Julian Greer help close the gap on the favorite?
Key to watch: Balance scoring contributions with defensive consistency.
Roster source: 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Open official roster.
Alabama A&M
Two honorees. Top-three ambition.Alabama A&M is third, five points behind Southern. James Graham and Sami Pissis make the second team.
Bilal Abdur-Rahman
Guard • 5'11" • Jr.
Roster details
Guard | 5'11" | Jr. | Atlanta, Ga. | Jersey #2
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
James Graham III
Guard/Forward • 6'8" • R-Sr.
All-SWAC Second Team
Roster details
Guard/Forward | 6'8" | R-Sr. | Milwaukee, Wis. | Jersey #34
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Donte' Jackson
Program leadership
Roster details
Listed head coach on the official athletics page.
2026-27 Men's Basketball
Thee question for Donte' Jackson
How will your recognized talent translate into a challenge for the top spot?
Key to watch: Connect individual production with efficient team possessions.
Roster source: 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Open official roster.
Florida A&M
A defensive headliner in the top fourFlorida A&M is fourth with 125 points. Antonio Baker wins the defensive award and joins Jaquan Sanders among the preseason honorees.
Ralph Martino
Guard • 6'7" • Jr.
Roster details
Guard | 6'7" | Jr. | Lanham, Md. | Jersey #00
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Roster spelling: Ralph Martino Jr..
Antonio Baker
Guard • 6'3" • Sr.
All-SWAC Second Team
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Roster details
Guard | 6'3" | Sr. | Savannah, Ga. | Jersey #1
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Roster spelling: Antonio Baker Jr..
Charlie Ward
Program leadership
Roster details
Listed head coach on the official athletics page.
2026-27 Men's Basketball
Thee question for Charlie Ward
How will Baker’s defense and Sanders’ scoring complement the full rotation?
Key to watch: Create stops and convert them into efficient offense.
Roster source: 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Open official roster.
Prairie View A&M
One point from fourthPrairie View A&M is fifth with 124 points, one behind FAMU. Elijah Mitchell and Jaelyn Lee are the announced representatives.
Elijah Mitchell
Guard • 6'5" • Jr.
Roster details
Guard | 6'5" | Jr. | Roanoke, Virginia | Jersey #23
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Jaelyn Lee
6'6" • Gr.
Roster details
6'6" | Gr. | Jersey #10
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Roster spelling: Jaylen Lee.
Byron Smith
Program leadership
Roster details
Listed head coach on the official athletics page.
2026-27 Men's Basketball
Thee question for Byron Smith
Where can your team find the edge that moves it above its fifth-place projection?
Key to watch: Establish guard roles and late-game execution.
Roster source: 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Open official roster.
Jackson State
The top individual honor. A sixth-place projection.Jackson State is sixth while Daeshun Ruffin earns Player of the Year and Dorian McMillian joins him on the first team. McMillian and Mike Williams represent the Tigers at Media Day.
Dorian McMillian
Guard • 6'3" • Jr.
All-SWAC First Team
Roster details
Guard | 6'3" | Jr. | Pascagoula, Miss. | Jersey #1
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Mike Williams
Guard • 6'2" • So.
Roster details
Guard | 6'2" | So. | Dallas, Texas | Jersey #11
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Trey Johnson
Program leadership
Roster details
Listed head coach on the official athletics page.
2026-27 Men's Basketball
Thee question for Trey Johnson
How will Ruffin and McMillian’s recognition translate into a finish above sixth?
Key to watch: Build reliable support around the recognized guards.
Roster source: 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Open official roster.
Alabama State
Seventh, but a first-place believerAlabama State is seventh with 102 points and one first-place vote. Michael James earns first-team recognition; Mike James and Trey Miller are the announced attendees.
Mike James
6'1" • Sr.
All-SWAC First Team
Roster details
6'1" | Sr. | Byhalia, Miss. | Jersey #10
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Trey Miller
6'2" • Gr.
Roster details
6'2" | Gr. | Houston, Texas | Jersey #5
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Chris Wright
Program leadership
Roster details
Listed head coach on the official athletics page.
2026-27 Men's Basketball
Thee question for Chris Wright
How can your first-team talent lift the team beyond its seventh-place prediction?
Key to watch: Find dependable scoring support and protect the ball.
Roster source: 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Open official roster.
Grambling State
Eighth is the starting pointGrambling State enters eighth with 95 points. Brandon Hardy and Hassan Washington carry the player voices at Media Day.
Brandon Hardy
Guard • 6'2" • Sr.
Roster details
Guard | 6'2" | Sr. | Zachary, LA | Jersey #4
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Hassan Washington
Forward • 6'8" • Sr.
Roster details
Forward | 6'8" | Sr. | Providence, R.I | Jersey #7
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Patrick Crarey
Program leadership
Roster details
Listed head coach on the official athletics page.
2026-27 Men's Basketball
Thee question for Patrick Crarey
What has to improve first for Grambling to outperform eighth place?
Key to watch: Develop a consistent rotation and limit empty possessions.
Roster source: 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Open official roster.
Texas Southern
Ninth, with one vote for the topTexas Southern is ninth with 75 points, yet receives one first-place vote. Jason Kimbrough and Xander Wedlow represent the Tigers.
Jason Kimbrough
Guard • 6'0" • Sr.
Roster details
Guard | 6'0" | Sr. | Maricopa, Ariz. | Jersey #1
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Xander Wedlow
Forward/Center • 6'10" • Jr.
Roster details
Forward/Center | 6'10" | Jr. | Detroit, Mich. | Jersey #9
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Corey Lowery
Program leadership
Roster details
Listed head coach on the official athletics page.
2026-27 Men's Basketball
Thee question for Corey Lowery
What gives your program a path from ninth into the title conversation?
Key to watch: Build an identity that holds up in close conference games.
Roster source: 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Open official roster.
Alcorn State
A tenth-place challengeAlcorn State is tenth with 61 points. Trey Thomas and Saxby Southerland represent the Braves.
Trey Thomas
6'2" • Sr.
Roster details
6'2" | Sr. | Washington, D.C. | Jersey #1
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball.
Saxby Southerland
6'4" • Sr.
Roster details
6'4" | Sr. | Arlington, Va | Jersey #11
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Roster spelling: Saxby Sunderland.
Jake Morton
Program leadership
Roster details
Listed head coach on the official athletics page.
2026-27 Men's Basketball
Thee question for Jake Morton
What will your representatives contribute to a climb beyond tenth?
Key to watch: Make defensive rebounding and ball security reliable.
Roster source: 2026-27 Men's Basketball. Open official roster.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
A second-team guard. An eleventh-place forecast.Arkansas-Pine Bluff is eleventh with 57 points. Jalen Tatum earns second-team recognition and attends alongside Jai Hayes.
Jai Hayes
6'7" • Fr.
Roster details
6'7" | Fr. | Hot Springs, AR | Jersey #2
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2025-26 Men's Basketball. Roster spelling: Jai’chaunn Hayes.
Jalen Tatum
Details awaiting roster update
All-SWAC Second Team
Roster details
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Current roster details unavailable.
Solomon Bozeman
Program leadership
Roster details
Listed head coach on the official athletics page.
2025-26 Men's Basketball
Thee question for Solomon Bozeman
How will Tatum’s recognition help lift your team above eleventh?
Key to watch: Turn guard production into dependable team offense.
Roster source: 2025-26 Men's Basketball. Open official roster.
Mississippi Valley State
The bottom of the poll is a starting lineMississippi Valley State is twelfth with 32 points. Eli Pippins and Tymias Williams represent the Delta Devils.
Eli Pippins
5'11" • Jr.
Roster details
5'11" | Jr. | Atlanta, Ga | Jersey #1
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-2027 Men's Basketball.
Tymias Williams
6'7" • Sr.
Roster details
6'7" | Sr. | New Baltimore, Michigan | Jersey #7
Announced 2026 Media Day representative. Details from 2026-2027 Men's Basketball.
Mike Davis
Program leadership
Roster details
Listed head coach on the official athletics page.
2026-2027 Men's Basketball
Thee question for Mike Davis
What measurable changes will show that this group can beat the preseason projection?
Key to watch: Reduce turnovers and finish defensive possessions.
Roster source: 2026-2027 Men's Basketball. Open official roster.
No matches. Try a school name or choose all programs.
Who changes the preseason story?
Preseason rankings set expectations. Guard play, defensive consistency, depth and coaching will shape what happens next. The bottom six begin with an opportunity to outperform the poll.
Which bottom-six program makes the biggest climb?
Poll not found
0 community votes
What will matter most in the title race?
Poll not found
0 community votes
The men’s preseason boards
Sources & roster availability
Attendees follow the supplied SWAC announcement. Rankings and honors follow the supplied graphics, with the Jackson State point discrepancy noted above. Official roster and biography links provide player and coach details.
The supplied announcement says Saxby Southerland; Alcorn’s roster spells the name Saxby Sunderland. Prairie View’s announcement says Jaelyn Lee; its posted roster spells the name Jaylen Lee. The attendee card retains the announcement spelling. UAPB’s linked roster is labeled 2025-26; any roster details there are historical. Missing portraits are labeled instead of substituting another person’s photo.
- SWAC: announced Media Day attendees
- SWAC: preseason awards and All-SWAC teams
- SWAC: predicted finish and written poll table
- SWAC TV: Media Day broadcast
- Bethune-Cookman official roster
- Southern official roster
- Alabama A&M official roster
- Florida A&M official roster
- Prairie View A&M official roster
- Jackson State official roster
- Alabama State official roster
- Grambling State official roster
- Texas Southern official roster
- Alcorn State official roster
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff official roster
- Mississippi Valley State official roster
Without the connected community voting service, picks save on this device only.