BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University men's basketball team was picked to finish third in the 2026-27 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Men's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish, the league announced on Wednesday morning during media day.
The Bulldogs received 143 points in the preseason voting, just five points behind second-place Southern, which collected 148 points and three first-place votes. Bethune-Cookman was tabbed as the preseason favorite with 181 points and 10 first-place votes.
The No. 3 prediction comes as Alabama A&M enters the season with a pair of preseason all-conference selections.
James Graham III and
Sami Pissis were each named to the Preseason All-SWAC Second Team, giving head coach
Donte' Jackson two recognized returners as the Bulldogs prepare to contend near the top of the conference standings.
"We appreciate the recognition, but preseason predictions don't determine where you finish," Jackson said. "Our focus is on getting better every day, competing at a high level and putting ourselves in position to play our best basketball when it matters. We have a group that understands the expectations, and now it's about doing the work."
Florida A&M was picked fourth with 125 points, followed by Prairie View A&M with 124. Jackson State was sixth with 105 points and one first-place vote, while Alabama State was seventh with 102 points and one first-place vote.
Alabama A&M begins its exhibition season in less than a week when the Bulldogs play Samford in the Ballin in Boutwell on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. from Boutwell Arena. AAMU begins the regular season on Nov. 2, playing host to Oakwood. Tip-off against the Ambassadors is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from the AAMU Event Center.
| 2026-27 SWAC Men's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish |
| Team |
Points |
| 1. Bethune-Cookman (10) |
181 |
| 2. Southern (3) |
148 |
| 3. Alabama A&M |
143 |
| 4. Florida A&M |
125 |
| 5. Prairie View A&M |
124 |
| 6. Jackson State (1) |
105 |
| 7. Alabama State (1) |
102 |
| 8. Grambling State |
95 |
| 9. Texas Southern (1) |
75 |
| 10. Alcorn State |
61 |
| 11. Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
57 |
| 12. Mississippi Valley State |
32 |
|
|
| First Place Votes in Parentheses |
|
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