BATON ROUGE, LA -- Southern University's women's basketball program continues to write a compelling story of growth, perseverance, and rising prominence in the world of collegiate basketball. As the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Regular Season and Tournament Champions, the Jaguars have already established themselves as a force within HBCU basketball — and now they're starting to garner broader recognition beyond their conference.
While the CollegeInsider.com Women's Mid-Major Top 25® poll (Dec. 23, 2025) features 25 mid-major teams nationally, Southern is listed among the "Others Receiving Votes" category — a notable inclusion that reflects the Jaguars' strong performances and increased visibility in the mid-major landscape.
This recognition is significant not just for Southern, but for HBCU women's basketball as a whole, where only a handful of programs historically earn attention in national mid-major discussions.
After a challenging non-conference slate — including multiple road games against Power Five and ranked opponents — Southern brings valuable experience into conference play. The Jaguars' ability to compete with high-level programs has helped fuel belief in their potential this season.
Why This Matters
1. HBCU Representation: Southern is one of just two HBCU women's basketball programs gaining traction on the national radar — and its presence in the Mid-Major conversation highlights how far the program has come.
2. Program Growth: From winning the SWAC regular-season title and SWAC Tournament to competing against prominent programs outside the league, the Jaguars are positioning themselves for sustained success.
3. The Jaguars made history a year ago by defeating UC San Diego in dominating fashion in the First Four of the 2025 Women's NCAA Tournament in Los Angeles, Ca.
4. Momentum into Conference Play: Heading into SWAC action with tough competition under their belt should help Southern carry confidence and resilience through league battles ahead.
SWAC Conference Opener — New Year's Day Showdown on the Bluff
Southern will kick off its SWAC schedule at home in a marquee match-up:
Date: January 1, 2026
Tip-off: 2:00 PM
Venue: F.G. Clark Activity Center (Baton Rouge, La.)
Opponent: Prairie View A&M Panthers (SWAC foe)
TV: SWAC TV
This game marks a pivotal moment in the season as the Jaguars begin their push to defend their SWAC title and build momentum through league play.
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