ST. LOUIS - Spalding men's basketball is selected to finish second and grabbed a first-place vote in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) this year, according to the 2026 SLIAC coaches' preseason poll.

Coming in 3rd on the poll was Spalding University with 46 points. The Golden Eagles were 14-13 last year under head coach Raven Merriweather. The team returns just one starter, Brooke McNeal, while bringing in six newcomers. McNeal put up 6.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last season. Among the new faces looking to step up for the team are Emma Owens, Ava Bucci, and Emaree Gober. 

Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
#1 Webster - 64 (8)
#2 MUW - 53 
#3 Spalding - 46
#4 Greenville - 44 (1)
#5 Blackburn - 31
#6 Westminster - 26
#7 Principia - 24
#8 Eureka - 19
#9 Lyon - 17