MARLBOROUGH - The Smith College basketball team remains the team to beat in the NEWMAC for the 2026-27 season, topping the preseason poll with 121 points and 11 first-place votes from the conference's 12 head coaches. 

The Bears are poised for another exciting season after a record sixth-straight NEWMAC Championship and 28-2 mark a season ago. 

Smith, under the direction of six-time NEWMAC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year Lynn Hersey, will return 14 student-athletes from last year's roster, including reigning conference Defensive Player of the Year and All-Region selection Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover) and Honorable Mention All-American Virginia Johnson (Minneapolis, MN/Southwest), to the court in 2026-27.

The Bears add five first-year players to the hardwood, promising a mix of experience and fresh talent this season.

2026-27 NEWMAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team, Points (First Place Votes)
1. Smith - 121, (11)
2. Clark - 103, (1)
3. Babson - 102
4. MIT - 86
5. Springfield - 82
6. WPI - 76
7. Emerson - 60
8. Coast Guard - 55
9. Wellesley - 40
10. Salve Regina - 33
11. Wheaton - 23
12. Mount Holyoke - 11

A conference champion will be crowned on Sunday, February 28 with that team receiving the league's automatic berth to the 2026-27 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

About Smith Athletics Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information, log on to GoSmithBears.com and follow the Bears on Facebook and Instagram.