CORBIN, Ky. – Truett McConnell women's basketball has been ranked 12^th in the Appalachian Athletic Conference women's basketball preseason poll, the conference revealed Tuesday.
 
Last season was a struggle for the Lady Bears, a campaign which resulted in a 6-22 overall record and a 5-15 mark in conference play. The team finished two games below Union Commonwealth for the tenth seed, the final spot in the AAC Tournament. TMU is looking to appear in the postseason tournament for the first time since 2024 and win its first AAC tournament game since 2023.
 
2025 conference tournament runner-up and No. 3 seed Reinhardt, with 179 points and five first place votes, is expected to win the AAC for the first time since 2022. Back-to-back defending champion Milligan was picked second in the poll with176 points and four first place votes. 2023 AAC champion Pikeville was picked third with 173 points and five first place votes, more than the Buffs' four.
 
Truett starts the season with a home matchup vs. Talladega on Saturday, Oct. 24 with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m. Conference play will start on Wednesday, Nov. 11 with a 5:30 p.m. start time vs. Bryan.
 
2026-27 AAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Reinhardt (5) – 179 points
2. Milligan (4) – 176 points
3. Pikeville (5) – 173 points
4. Johnson – 150 points
5. Tennessee Wesleyan – 148 points
6. Bryan – 102 points
7. Spartanburg Methodist – 100 points
8. Brenau – 96 points
9. Columbia College – 89 points
10. Union Commonwealth – 77 points
11. Montreat – 75 points
12. Truett McConnell – 47 points
13. Columbia International – 34 points
14. Bluefield – 24 points
() – first place votes