The Sun Belt Conference announced its 2026‑27 women’s basketball slate, confirming that each of the league’s teams will play an 18‑game conference schedule. Competition kicks off on December 16 and will culminate with the 2027 Visit Pensacola Sun Belt Women’s Basketball Championship from March 2 through March 8 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Among the storylines, James Madison stands out after capturing its second title in four years, finishing the season with a 26‑9 overall record and securing its 14th NCAA Tournament berth. The performance underscores the program’s rapid rise within the league.
Historic Title Runs
Georgia Southern also made history by claiming the regular‑season crown with a 16‑2 mark, marking its first conference championship since 2001 and providing a boost to the conference’s depth.
Meanwhile, Marshall added another chapter to its program by winning the 2026 Women’s National Invitation Tournament, finishing with a school‑record 28 victories and earning its first postseason title since 2019.
The season also saw six Sun Belt programs earn postseason invitations, including Troy, Arkansas State and South Alabama, highlighting the league’s expanding national presence.
A key narrative thread is the fourth year of the MAC‑SBC Challenge, a scheduling alliance between the Sun Belt and the Mid‑American Conference. Last season the two conferences traded an even 13 wins apiece, and the Sun Belt claimed the inaugural Challenge title in 2023‑24, setting the stage for another competitive chapter.