ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Drake University women's basketball was slotted fifth in the 2026-27 Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, the league announced today.
 
Voted on by MVC head coaches, communications staff members, and a panel of media members, the Bulldogs earned 317 points to land in the fifth position. Drake was listed just ahead of UIC (267 points) and just behind in-state rival UNI (343 points). The Panthers were also one of three teams to earn at least one first-place vote.
 
Back-to-back defending conference winner Murray State was picked as the preseason favorite with 477 points and an overwhelming 41 of 44 possible first place votes. Illinois State was selected to finish second with 396 points while Belmont rounded out the top three with two first-place nods and 375 total points.
 
The Bulldog women will be in St. Louis tomorrow for 2026 MVC Media Day. Drake will be in action on Oct. 28 in a 6 p.m. exhibition game against Minnesota Duluth before opening its regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in the Knapp Center against Eastern Illinois.