NEW YORK - Defending CUNY Athletic Conference women's basketball regular season champion Brooklyn was voted first in the 2026-27 women's basketball preseason coaches' poll released Thursday afternoon.  The Bulldogs received five of eight first place votes and collected 47 points.

Defending conference tournament champion Hunter received a pair of first place votes and finished with 42 points, while Lehman earned the other first place vote and garnered 35 points.  John Jay (33) and Baruch (25) rounded out the top five.

CCNY (22), Medgar Evers (13) and York (7) rounded out the poll.

Brooklyn finished the regular season 14-0 overall in conference play and reached the conference final before Hunter snapped the Bulldogs' string of five straight tournament titles in the conference final. Brooklyn finished 24-5 overall and reached the ECAC Championship title game, falling to McDaniel.

Hunter finished 20-8 and 11-3 in conference play last season, while Lehman wrapped up 2025-26 16-12 overall and 10-4 in CUNYAC play.  John Jay (8-6 CUNYAC), along with the Lightning, reached the conference semifinals a season ago.

The 2027 CUNYAC Women's Basketball Championship begins with first round games on Saturday, February 20.  The semifinals are scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, with the title game Friday, February 26 at 5 pm at Brooklyn's West Quad Gymnasium in a doubleheader with the men's basketball championship game later that evening.

2026-27 CUNY Athletic Conference

Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

(first place votes in parentheses)

1. Brooklyn (5) - 47

2. Hunter (2) - 42

3. Lehman (1) - 35

4. John Jay - 33

5. Baruch - 25

6. CCNY - 22

7. Medgar Evers - 13

8. York - 7 

Lehman opens the season on the road at Montclair on Wednesday, November 11.  The Lightning's home opener is scheduled for Saturday, November 14 at 2:00 PM against the Dolphins of the University of Mount Saint Vincent.