The Campbellsville Tigers have claimed the top spot in the preseason 2023-24 NAIA Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 Rating. This marks the 10th time that the Tigers have secured a No. 1 ranking. Science & Arts was the only team to maintain the same rank as the final rating of the previous season. Additionally, seven teams that were previously unranked or receiving votes have entered the preseason Top 25.
The rating is determined by a panel of head coaches from each conference and unaffiliated groups. Each voter ranks the teams, and a points system is used to calculate the rankings. The team with the most first-place votes receives 30 points, while the points decrease by one for each subsequent rank.
Campbellsville (Ky.) received 15 first-place votes, earning them a total of 526 points. Central Methodist (Mo.) secured the second spot with 500 points, followed closely by Dordt (Iowa) with 498 points. Indiana Wesleyan received one first-place vote and ranked fourth with 486 points. Marian (Ind.) rounded out the top five with 457 points.
Other notable teams in the preseason Top 25 include Carroll (Mont.) at sixth, Clarke (Iowa) at seventh, and Dakota State (S.D.) at eighth. Rio Grande (Ohio) and Vanguard (Calif.) claimed the ninth and tenth spots, respectively.
The rankings also saw some new additions, with Concordia (Neb.) and MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) entering the list for the first time. Mid-America Christian (Okla.) and Mayville State (N.D.) also made their debut in the preseason Top 25.
In addition to the ranked teams, several schools received votes but did not make the Top 25. College of the Ozarks (Mo.), Indiana South Bend (Ind.), and Southern Oregon were among the schools receiving votes.
The complete women’s basketball ratings calendar can be found on the official NAIA website.
The Campbellsville Tigers’ top ranking in the preseason rating sets the stage for an exciting season ahead. With their strong performance in previous years, the Tigers are poised to make a significant impact in the NAIA Women’s Basketball Championship. Fans can look forward to thrilling matchups and intense competition as the season unfolds.