GSU hoops picked first in SWAC preseason polls
Grambling State has been picked to win the SWAC for the 2024-25 basketball season after last season’s historic run to the NCAA Tournament. Photo by Marcus Plummer
The defending Southwestern Athletic Conference ( SWAC) Champion Grambling State men’s basketball team has been picked to come in first place, according to the SWAC Preseason Poll announced at the 2024 SWAC Men’s Basketball Media Day on Friday morning.
Grambling State earned 212 points and received 10 first place votes. Following the Tigers in the top five was Texas Southern in second place (200), Southern (160), Jackson State ( 153) and Alcorn State (144).
GSU had a remarkable 2023- 24 season, rising to the mountaintop of the SWAC and winning the conference tournament for the first time in school history. GSU finished the season 21-15 overall and 14-4 in conference play as well. The Tigers culminated the season in the NCAA Tournament where GSU defeated Montana State 88-81 in the First Four before bowing out to National runner-up Purdue in the first round.
Head Coach Donte Jackson claimed his third SWAC Coach of the Year award, as well as his third SWAC regular season crown.
GSU guard Kintavious Dozier was also named as a preseason First-Team All-SWAC selection by the league’s coaches after leading the Tigers at 13 points per game last season.
SWAC Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
1. Grambling State, 212 (10)
2. Texas Southern, 200 (3)
3. Southern, 160 (1)
4. Jackson State, 153 (1)
5. Alcorn State, 144 (1)
6. Alabama State, 122 (1)
7. Prairie View A&M, 121 (1)
8. Bethune- Cookman, 109 (2)
9. Alabama A&M, 106
10. Arkansas- Pine Bluff, 70
11. Florida A&M, 63
12. Mississippi Valley State, 32
WOMEN
The Grambling State women’s basketball team was also picked to finish in first place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference ( SWAC). Grambling State garnered 276 points and received 10 first place votes in the preseason poll, voted by the league’s coaches. Following the Lady Tigers in the top five was Southern in second place ( 232), Alabama A& M ( 226), Jackson State (211), and Florida A&M (178).
GSU, led by second year head coach Courtney Simmons, had a sensational 2023-24 season with a 23-10 overall record with a 15-3 mark in the SWAC.
Grambling State reached the SWAC Tournament semifinals and qualified for the WNIT where it defeated Oral Roberts 93-91 in the opening round. Last season, GSU eclipsed the
20-win plateau for the first time since the 2002-03 season and finished with its most wins since the 1999-00 campaign.
SWAC Women’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
1. Grambling State, 276 (10) 2. Southern, 232 (2)
3. Alabama A&M, 226 (4)
4. Jackson State, 211 (4)
5. Florida A&M, 178 (3)
6. Prairie View A&M, 165 (1)
7. Alcorn State, 157
8. Bethune-Cookman, 142
9. Texas Southern, 117
10. Alabama State, 114
11. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 86
12. Mississippi Valley State, 46
