DENMARK, S.C. – The Voorhees University men's basketball team has been selected to finish 11th in the 2026-27 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Preseason Poll, as the conference announced its preseason rankings and All-HBCUAC selections ahead of the upcoming basketball season.
The Tigers received 90 points in the preseason poll, placing them 11th among the conference's 16 programs. Voorhees enters the upcoming campaign looking to build on its 2025-26 season, which saw the Tigers finish with a 12-18 overall record and a 6-6 mark in conference play.
Despite the preseason projection, Voorhees Head Men's Basketball Coach Derrick Mitchell made it clear that the Tigers have their sights set on exceeding expectations.
"We're picked 11th. I've never been 11th in anything in my life! I don't expect to start that now! We are not motivated by preseason rankings, but we are excited to know what others think of us! We can't wait for the season to start. Go Tigers!" said Mitchell.
Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) enters the season as the conference favorite, earning 200 points and 11 first-place votes. Tougaloo College follows in second place with 188 points, while Stillman College ranks third with 163 points and one first-place vote. Dillard University (156 points) and Talladega College (150 points and one first-place vote) round out the top five.
SUNO's Jaylon Hicks was named the HBCUAC Preseason Player of the Year and headlines the Preseason All-HBCUAC First Team.
Joining Hicks on the first team are teammate Dorian Booker, Fisk University's Kaleb Jeffries, Stillman College's Dasean Sellers and Wilberforce University's Daiquan Coach.
The Preseason All-HBCUAC Second Team features Fisk University's Simeon Williams II and Mitch Seay, Dillard University's Devin Lewis and John Kelly III, and Philander Smith University's Caleb Campbell.
With the preseason rankings established, Voorhees will look to improve upon last season's performance and make its presence felt in conference competition.
The Tigers will officially tip off the 2026-27 season on Friday, October 30, at 6 p.m., when they host Truett McConnell University in a special Halloween-themed season opener at the Leonard E. Dawson Health and Human Resources Center in Denmark, South Carolina.
Fans are encouraged to wear all black or Halloween costumes and help create an exciting home-court atmosphere as the Tigers begin their new campaign.
2026-27 HBCUAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
| Rank |
School |
Points |
| 1 |
Southern University at New Orleans |
200 (11) |
| 2 |
Tougaloo |
188 |
| 3 |
Stillman |
163 (1) |
| 4 |
Dillard |
156 |
| 5 |
Talladega |
150 (1) |
| 6 |
Philander Smith |
148 |
| 7 |
Paul Quinn |
107 |
| 8 |
Huston-Tillotson |
102 |
| 9 |
Fisk |
97 |
| 10 |
Wilberforce |
95 |
| 11 |
Voorhees |
90 |
| 12 |
Rust |
64 |
| 13 |
Oakwood |
61 |
| 14 |
Wiley |
60 |
| 15 |
Jarvis Christian |
56 |
| 16 |
Virgin Islands |
31 |
First-place votes are listed in parentheses.
2026-27 Preseason All-HBCUAC Men's Basketball Teams
Preseason Player of the Year
Jaylon Hicks – Southern University at New Orleans
First Team All-HBCUAC
- Jaylon Hicks – Southern University at New Orleans
- Dorian Booker – Southern University at New Orleans
- Kaleb Jeffries – Fisk University
- Dasean Sellers – Stillman College
- Daiquan Coach – Wilberforce University
Second Team All-HBCUAC
- Simeon Williams II – Fisk University
- Devin Lewis – Dillard University
- Mitch Seay – Fisk University
- John Kelly III – Dillard University
- Caleb Campbell – Philander Smith University
Up Next
Voorhees vs. Truett McConnell University
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Leonard E. Dawson Health and Human Resources Center
Address: 5573 Voorhees Road, Denmark, SC 29042
Promotion: Halloween Theme Night – All Black or Costume Night
Fans can follow the Tigers throughout the 2026-27 season for the latest news, schedules, scores and updates at
www.voorheesathletics.com.
