ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Drake University women's basketball has been picked to finish fourth in the race for the 2025-26 Missouri Valley Conference crown, the league announced today. The preseason poll, as voted on by Valley head coaches, communications directors, and a panel of various media personnel, was unveiled this morning.

Drake was slotted fourth with a total of 371 points including four first-place votes.

Belmont, who enters the season as the league favorite, received 25 of 44 possible votes for the top spot for a total of 446 points. Defending MVC regular-season and tournament champions Murray State was selected second with 13 first-place votes and 436 points. Illinois State rounded out the top four with two first-place votes and 387 points.

The Bulldogs will be on the hardwood next week for an Oct. 28 exhibition game against Dakota Wesleyan in Des Moines. Drake's regular season slate will begin on Nov. 3 with a trip to Eastern Illinois.