By Curtis Ford, Grambling State Associate AD for Athletic Communications
ATLANTA — Grambling State has been picked to finish in first place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), announced at SWAC Women’s Basketball Media Day on Thursday morning.
Grambling State garnered 276 points and received 10 first place votes. Following the Lady Tigers in the top five was Southern in second place (232), Alabama A&M (226), Jackson State (211) and Florida A&M (178).
GSU, led by second year head coach Courtney Simmons, had a sensational 2023-24 season. The Lady Tigers went 23-10 overall with a 15-3 mark in the SWAC. Grambling State reached the SWAC Tournament semifinals and qualified for the WNIT where it defeated Oral Roberts 93-91 in the opening round.
Last season, GSU eclipsed the 20-win plateau for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign.
The Lady Tigers open the 2024 season at home versus Centenary on Nov. 4. Tip-off time is TBA.
SWAC Women’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
- Grambling State- 276 (10)
- Southern- 232 (2)
- Alabama A&M- 226 (4)
- Jackson State- 211 (4)
- Florida A&M- 178 (3)
- Prairie View A&M- 165 (1)
- Alcorn State- 157
- Bethune-Cookman- 142
- Texas Southern- 117
- Alabama State- 114
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 86
- Mississippi Valley State- 46
*First place votes listed in parenthesis