PITMAN, NJ --- TCNJ has been predicted to win the 2026-27 NJAC Women's Basketball title, based on preseason polling of the conference's 10 head coaches.
The Lions, who captured the NJAC Tournament crown and advanced to the NCAA Tournament a year ago, garnered seven of the 10 possible first-place votes.
William Paterson, which went a perfect 18-0 in league play and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament last season, picked up two first-place votes and is predicted to finish runner-up. Rutgers-Camden earned the remaining first-place vote and was picked third.
Montclair State and Rowan round out the top five, while New Paltz, set to play its first season of NJAC competition, was predicted sixth and voted as this year's dark horse team to watch.
Stockton was predicted seventh, while Kean, Ramapo and Rutgers-Newark round out the predictions.
2026-27 NJAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
(first place votes in parentheses)
- TCNJ (7)
- William Paterson (2)
- Rutgers-Camden (1)
- Montclair State
- Rowan
- New Paltz (dark horse)
- Stockton
- Kean
- Ramapo
- Rutgers-Newark
Kean
The Cougars enter the season with renewed energy, pairing an experienced returning core with a talented group of newcomers. Dacia Mack leads the way as the team's top returner on both ends of the floor after averaging 6.7 points and a steal per game while shooting 81.8% from the free-throw line, giving Kean a proven two-way leader to build around. Under head coach Tasha Pointer, Kean is focused on blending its veterans and newcomers into a cohesive unit, and this group has the enthusiasm and work ethic to take a meaningful step forward in the NJAC this season.
Newcomers to Watch: Briana Holt (FR; C; Newark, NJ/University HS)
Head Coach Tasha Pointer: "We're excited about the opportunity to combine an experienced returning core with a talented group of newcomers who bring energy, competitiveness, and enthusiasm to our program."
Montclair State
The Red Hawks welcome eight new players into the program but return an experienced core that knows how to win in the NJAC. Alyssa Craigwell is back after earning First Team All-Conference honors and ranking third in the league in scoring at 16.5 points per game, while adding 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.2 blocks per contest and shooting 45.4% from the field. Bella Bruce is the team's top two-way returner after averaging 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Sam Philipp adds a perimeter threat after knocking down 1.1 three-pointers per contest. With a talented newcomer class led by Shayne Eldridge and Makenna Yeager, Montclair State has the experience and depth to make another strong postseason push.
Newcomers to Watch: Shayne Eldridge (JR; PG; Howell, NJ/Wall Township/Caldwell), Makenna Yeager (SO; G; Glen Ellyn, IL/Glenbard West)
Head Coach Karin Harvey: "We are excited to welcome eight new players into our program. While we are going to be young in many ways, we return key players who have a great deal of experience. Looking forward to seeing this team compete & grow together as the season moves forward."
New Paltz
The Hawks make their NJAC debut this season after going 26-3 overall and 17-1 in league play during their final season in the SUNYAC and advancing to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, and the league's coaches have already taken notice by tabbing New Paltz as this year's dark horse. Sierra Carter leads the returning group on both ends of the floor after averaging 6.4 points, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Kayden Cornell adds a perimeter threat after knocking down a team-high 39 three-pointers and averaging 6.0 points per contest. Defensively, Macie Perry and Summer Perry join Carter to give the Hawks a solid foundation. Under head coach Jamie Seward, New Paltz has a hard-working group capable of challenging anyone in the league.
Head Coach Jamie Seward: "The 2026-27 season will be one of major transition for our program. Obviously, we are moving into a new and much stronger conference with all the changes and adjustments that go along with that- new opponents, new venues, a different schedule, and very different travel. Moreover, we are also adjusting to playing without three-time All-American, Brianna Fitzgerald. On top of a much more competitive league, we also have a difficult non-conference schedule, so there will likely be some significant bumps in the road along the way. Nevertheless, we have a nice group of players who we have really enjoyed working with so far and look forward to seeing what kind of team we can build over the course of the season."
Ramapo
The Roadrunners return a balanced trio of scorers as they work to build a culture rooted in effort and defensive toughness. Lauren Flatt is back after averaging 10.5 points per game and ranking third in the NJAC with 1.8 three-pointers per contest. Vanessa Kohler adds 9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while Denay Jones does a little bit of everything after posting 8.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest. Emma Cartwright joins Jones as a defensive anchor after averaging 1.2 blocks per game. With a strong returning core and newcomer Ava Kohler joining the mix, Ramapo is poised to compete with confidence all season long.
Newcomers to Watch: Ava Kohler (FR; G; Highland Park, NJ/Highland Park HS)
Head Coach Nina Stone: "Our expectations for this season are to establish a culture built on relentless effort, defensive toughness, mental resilience, and accountability. We want to develop strong chemistry through trust, communication, and unselfishness, while encouraging our players to lead by example and compete for one another through every challenge. Our identity will be defined by how we prepare, how we respond to adversity, and how we come together as a group to compete with confidence, discipline, and pride for all 40 minutes."
Rowan
The Profs are coming off a 16-win season and a third-place finish in the NJAC standings, and they return a strong frontcourt presence to build upon. Haley Selmer leads the offense after earning Honorable Mention All-Conference honors and averaging 6.3 rebounds per game, while Megan Donelson adds 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest. Defensively, Ava Kraybill and Natalia Barrera set the tone, with Barrera contributing 0.6 blocks per game. Newcomer Grace McShane out of Bensalem High School adds fresh energy to the roster. Under head coach Kate Pearson, Rowan is focused on building its team identity and competing every day, and this group has the pieces to make another run at the top of the standings.
Newcomers to Watch: Grace McShane (FR; F; Bensalem, PA/Bensalem HS)
Head Coach Kate Pearson: "With the changing landscape of the NJAC and additions to our roster, we're excited about the fresh energy and competitiveness this new group brings. We look forward to building on Rowan's team identity, competing every day, and growing together as we work toward our goals this season."
Rutgers-Camden
The Scarlet Raptors earned a first-place vote and enter the season with championship aspirations after picking up a playoff win last year. Courtney Edmundo is back after earning First Team All-Conference honors, averaging 15.9 points and ranking second in the NJAC with 10.5 rebounds per game, while also posting 2.1 steals and 1.3 blocks per contest. Hope Goodwine (11.9 points, 2.9 assists per game) and Tamea El (9.1 points, 7.9 rebounds per game) give Rutgers-Camden additional firepower, and Tamyia Collier leads the defense with 1.7 steals per contest. The addition of Autumn John, who averaged 10.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game last season at NJCU, makes the Scarlet Raptors a legitimate title contender.
Newcomers to Watch: Autumn John (SR; F; Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway/NJCU), Molly Walsh (FR; G/F; Dallas, PA/Dallas HS)
Head Coach James Boney: "We're building off our playoff win with a new level of expectations this season. We hold ourselves to a high standard and put the pressure on ourselves because we believe we have what it takes to compete for and win the NJAC championship."
Rutgers-Newark
The Scarlet Raiders begin a new chapter under first-year head coach Alyssa Parsons, focused on building a foundation this season, and they return a pair of steady leaders to help set the tone. Nicole Timario leads the offense after starting all 25 games and averaging 7.2 points, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game, providing a disruptive presence on both ends of the floor. Emily Leiras anchors the defensive effort after pulling down 4.1 rebounds per game, bringing toughness and grit to a squad that has embraced the work of growing together. With a roster that has been working hard throughout the preseason and continues to embrace new opportunities every day, the Scarlet Raiders are building toward the future.
Head Coach Alyssa Parsons: "We are excited to build a foundation this season that we can grow upon. Our team has been working hard and continues to embrace new opportunities every day."
Stockton
The Ospreys are coming off a 16-win season and a 12-6 league mark, and they enter the new campaign with an instinctive, competitive group. Madisyn McNair leads the way after starting 25 games and averaging 7.0 points per contest with 20 three-pointers, while Sienna Fedoruk adds 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per game and Katie Rausch provides another scoring option. A talented newcomer class gives head coach Devin Jefferson plenty of options, with Angelie Pacheco and Nashaelah Hooker set to make an impact on both ends and Ta'Morie Wilson bringing college experience to the rotation. With a group that naturally competes and works hard, Stockton has the pieces to climb the standings and make some noise in March.
Newcomers to Watch: Ta'Morie Wilson (SO; G; Wilmington, NC/New Hanover/Bloomfield College), Angelie Pacheco (FR; G; Trenton/Trenton Central HS), Shae Hooker (FR; F; Cranford, NJ/Colonia HS)
Head Coach Devin Jefferson: "I am so excited to coach this group of young women, they are instinctive, intentional and have a passion for basketball and winning that I'm always looking for. They have been a great group to coach these recent weeks, they naturally compete and work hard, so it's been fun to put everyone in different offensive and defensive situations. We are all excited about this year, our conference so tough, and it's good to witness my team already up for the challenge."
TCNJ
The Lions earned seven first-place votes and enter as the team to beat after winning the NJAC Tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament last season. TCNJ returns three of its four leading scorers, led by First Team All-Conference selection Amanda Baylock, who averaged 13.9 points per game and led the NJAC in three-point percentage (33.3%) while ranking second with 2.5 three-pointers per contest. Brooke McFadden is a force on both ends after averaging 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Riley Ahrens adds another veteran scoring option, and captain Grace Kowalski led the league with a 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. With a battle-tested core, the Lions are primed to defend their title.
Newcomers to Watch: Brooklynn Bell (FR; F; Forked River, NJ/Lacey Township HS)
Head Coach Chessie Jackson: "Our team returns three of our four leading scorers from last year's NJAC Championship roster, having added three eager and talented first years to the mix. With a short bench and a ton of playing experience in our junior and senior classes, we are excited to play a challenging non-conference schedule to prepare us for post-season play. Our team is hard at work to develop on the court, relying on excellent leadership from our captains Amanda Baylock and Grace Kowalski. We are looking forward to another great season."
William Paterson
The Pioneers earned two first-place votes after a record-setting 2025-26 campaign in which they went 25-3 overall, a perfect 18-0 in league play and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament while also earning Coaching Staff of the Year honors. Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference pick Jada Jacobs returns after leading the NJAC in both assists (3.7) and steals (3.4) per game while adding 9.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. Second Team All-Conference selection Patty Walsh led the league with 2.0 blocks per game to go with 10.4 points and 6.5 rebounds, while Matti Chiera (2.8 assists, 1.8 steals per game) and Luna Kirby round out a veteran group. With four starters back and a talented freshman class, William Paterson is ready to contend again.
Newcomers to Watch: Hailey Jenkins (FR; G; Allentown, PA/Catasauqua HS), Mya Loniewski (SO; G; Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough HS), Nicole Rivera (FR; G; Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills HS), Katie O'Keefe (SO; G; Newton, NJ/Pope John XXIII/Lebanon Valley), Layla Gutierrez (FR; G; North Plainfield, NJ/North Plainfield HS)
Head Coach Erin Monahan: "We return four starters and 10 total players, including multiple NJAC all-conference players, from a record-setting season last year. We are thrilled about the addition of seven incoming freshmen to the program and will rely on veteran leadership to set the tone for the 2026-2027 season."