FROM MMH

2026–27 SWAC Preview: Bethune-Cookman Leads, but Jackson State Has a Case

2026-10-26

Bethune-Cookman starts as the favorite, but the most consequential update in the SWAC may be in Jackson. Daeshun Ruffin is back at Jackson State, giving first-year head coach Trey Johnson an established source of scoring and creation around which to build.

That return is one reason a preseason preview has to move beyond the summer roster snapshot. Alabama A&M has Sami Pissis back alongside James Graham III. Bethune-Cookman's current roster confirms Daniel Perez-Rouzan's return. Elsewhere, signings described earlier in the offseason do not all appear on current rosters.

MMH's projected order reflects those updates. These are editorial basketball projections, separate from the locked MMH Model V1.

MMH projected order

MMH	Team	Official preseason poll	Blue Ribbon
1	Bethune-Cookman	1	1
2	Jackson State	6	6
3	Alabama State	7	2
4	Alabama A&M	3	5
5	Florida A&M	4	4
6	Prairie View A&M	5	3
7	Southern	2	7
8	Grambling State	8	8
9	Arkansas-Pine Bluff	11	9
10	Texas Southern	9	10
11	Alcorn State	10	11
12	Mississippi Valley State	12	12

The official poll was voted on by SWAC head coaches and sports information directors. Blue Ribbon represents its published forecast; MMH represents the updated editorial projection in this package. No KenPom rankings are included.

What will decide the conference

Returning perimeter production gives Jackson State and Alabama A&M a clearer offensive foundation. Bethune-Cookman combines returning frontcourt scoring with several experienced guards. Alabama State offers a different proposition: a collection of scorers under a new coach who must establish a dependable interior rotation.

Across the league, the central question is how well new combinations work together. Junior-college scoring averages describe previous responsibilities. They do not automatically carry over to Division I. The teams that turn those backgrounds into ball security, rebounding and complementary shot creation will be better positioned to sustain a conference run.

1. Bethune-Cookman

Coach: Reggie Theus · 2025–26: 17-15 overall, 14-4 SWAC

Bethune-Cookman has the best starting point in the conference: Quentin Heady and Daniel Perez-Rouzan return to a roster that also adds several guards with Division I experience. That combination earns the Wildcats MMH's first-place projection. The official roster and September recruiting announcement are particularly important here: Perez-Rouzan is back, despite the earlier yearbook discussion treating him as a departure.

Jaylen Jones and Jameel Morris give Reggie Theus options for initiating offense. Kevin Patton Jr. adds length on the wing, while Karmello Branch and Daniel Johnson offer alternative sources of scoring. The appeal is the ability to spread responsibility rather than needing one newcomer to replace every possession lost from last season.

Theus still has to establish a dependable defensive group. Patton's limited New Mexico production describes his recent role, not a guarantee that he becomes a star in Daytona Beach. Heady's two-way contributions and Perez-Rouzan's interior scoring give the newcomers a useful foundation. The Wildcats are our favorite because their returning production reduces the number of unanswered questions, not because another title is assured.

MMH projected starters: Jaylen Jones, Jameel Morris, Kevin Patton Jr., Quentin Heady, Daniel Perez-Rouzan.

2. Jackson State

Coach: Trey Johnson · 2025–26: 12-21 overall, 10-8 SWAC

Daeshun Ruffin's confirmed return changes this evaluation. Blue Ribbon's earlier discussion contemplated a team moving forward without him; the October SWAC awards and current roster instead identify the reigning league player of the year as a returning fifth-year guard. His 23.3 points and 5.3 assists per game give Trey Johnson a proven offensive centerpiece.

Dorian McMillian supplies a second established scorer, and Tamarion Hoover can stretch possessions with his shooting. MMH places the Tigers second, four spots above the official preseason poll. That is also why Jackson State is our recommended sleeper: the gap between its poll position and its proven perimeter talent is unusually large.

Interior defense remains the concern. Nikk Williams offers rebounding, while Jayden Williams and Ebo Wilson provide different options at center. Mike Williams' return from injury and the contributions of junior-college newcomers will affect the depth. Ruffin raises the ceiling; rebounding, defensive execution and health will determine whether the Tigers reach it.

MMH projected starters: Daeshun Ruffin, Dorian McMillian, Tamarion Hoover, Nikk Williams, Jayden Williams.

3. Alabama State

Coach: Chris Wright · 2025–26: 10-22 overall, 7-11 SWAC

Chris Wright inherits a program that finished 7-11 in league play, but his first roster has enough experienced guard scoring to justify a substantial climb. Mike James arrives from Mississippi Valley State after averaging 21.4 points. Amaree Brown adds Division I scoring experience, while Trey Miller offers an organizing presence.

Paul McMillan IV is another intriguing offensive option, although his 20-point Canisius average belongs to 2024-25. It should not be listed as last season's production. Tre Powell gives Wright a shooting alternative when the first unit needs more spacing.

The frontcourt is the swing factor. Joseph Scott brings experience from Abilene Christian, and Marquintez Dixon and Terrance Hampton arrive with productive junior-college backgrounds. Their rebounding and defensive adjustment matter more than reproducing their old scoring averages. MMH projects Alabama State third, above the official poll's seventh but below Blue Ribbon's second. The Hornets are a credible alternate sleeper if Wright can turn several individual scorers into an efficient, connected offense.

MMH projected starters: Trey Miller, Mike James, Joseph Scott, Amaree Brown, Marquintez Dixon.

4. Alabama A&M

Coach: Donte’ Jackson · 2025–26: 18-15 overall, 10-8 SWAC

James Graham III and Sami Pissis give Alabama A&M a more experienced offensive foundation than the earlier Blue Ribbon roster discussion alone suggests. Both appear on the current roster and earned official preseason second-team All-SWAC recognition. Pissis averaged 4.0 assists, while Graham's shooting gives the Bulldogs flexibility at forward.

Stephaun Walker's return from an injury absence could improve the rebounding. Kevin Paul and David Meriwether add size, while Devontes Cobbs offers another possible source of perimeter points. The challenge is arranging those pieces so that the Bulldogs can defend effectively without crowding their own offense.

MMH projects Alabama A&M fourth in regular-season basketball strength. Postseason eligibility must be discussed separately: the university announced an APR-related postseason ban in May, and this research did not establish a later reversal. An appearance on a preseason roster or awards list does not resolve that question. The Bulldogs have enough returning skill and incoming size to compete near the top, but their postseason outlook should remain qualified until an official update establishes otherwise.

MMH projected starters: Sami Pissis, Devontes Cobbs, James Graham III, Stephaun Walker, Kevin Paul.

5. Florida A&M

Coach: Charlie Ward · 2025–26: 15-16 overall, 11-7 SWAC

Charlie Ward has a reliable place to start with Jaquan Sanders and Antonio Baker Jr. Sanders returns after averaging 11.7 points and 3.6 assists, and Baker supplies established perimeter defense. Their official final-season statistics are used here because some individual biography text contains older figures.

Jaden Kempson adds another experienced creator. Ralph Martino Jr. can contribute length on the wing, while Chandler Davis arrives with productive junior-college rebounding and playmaking numbers. That gives Ward several ways to build a functional perimeter rotation.

The questions are closer to the basket. Freshmen Joel Mokweza and Jakub Lomicka and Seton Hall transfer Assane Mbaye bring size, but their readiness for extended Division I minutes is less established. FAMU's current roster also uses Daisean Williford where Blue Ribbon uses a different first name; that discrepancy is recorded in the research notes. MMH projects fifth. Strong guard play can keep the Rattlers in contention, but their ceiling depends on dependable rebounding and interior defense from a less proven frontcourt.

MMH projected starters: Jaquan Sanders, Antonio Baker Jr., Ralph Martino Jr., Daisean Williford, Joel Mokweza.

6. Prairie View A&M

Coach: Byron Smith · 2025–26: 19-18 overall, 9-9 SWAC

Prairie View A&M's tournament run makes it tempting to assume the Panthers can simply pick up where they finished. The roster turnover makes that a difficult comparison. Byron Smith needs a new group to establish its own scoring hierarchy and defensive habits.

Derrick Rivers is one of the most interesting additions after a productive season at Dodge City. Micah Bell and Sebastian Tidor provide wing options, while Davian Williams brings familiarity with SWAC competition from Alcorn State. Eddie Page and Bryant Aijero offer interior alternatives.

The current roster is essential to this projection. Jared Harris, Da'Shawn Ceaser and Hassane Diallo appear in the earlier yearbook discussion but are absent from the roster checked for this package, so they are not inserted into the projected ten. The listed names Davis Dynum and Jaylen Lee also differ from yearbook spellings; their older statistical identities are left unresolved. MMH projects sixth, below Blue Ribbon's third. The Panthers have a path higher if the new guards create efficient offense and the frontcourt supplies enough second-chance opportunities.

MMH projected starters: Anthony Gause, Derrick Rivers, Micah Bell, Davis Dynum, Eddie Page.

7. Southern

Coach: Kevin Johnson · 2025–26: 17-17 overall, 11-7 SWAC

Southern is one of the largest differences between MMH and the official poll. The league's coaches and sports information directors put the Jaguars second; MMH places them seventh, the same position as Blue Ribbon. Kevin Johnson's recent conference results deserve respect, but replacing so much of the offense creates a wider range of outcomes.

Daniel Dormu can organize possessions, and Justin Page brings Division I scoring experience from Niagara. Duran Parish and Joseph Hunter arrive with strong junior-college production. Aaron Hall adds an option at forward, while Noah Boyde gives the Jaguars a traditional center.

The question is whether those pieces establish enough dependable half-court scoring to support the defense. Cam Amboree's return is a useful update to the earlier yearbook discussion: he averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 assists last season and is included in our projected starting group. Johnson can use pressure to create easier opportunities, but Southern also needs a productive answer when opponents protect the ball and force it to execute. A fast adjustment by the incoming guards would make seventh too conservative.

MMH projected starters: Daniel Dormu, Joseph Hunter, Aaron Hall, Noah Boyde, Cam Amboree.

8. Grambling State

Coach: Patrick Crarey II · 2025–26: 14-19 overall, 7-11 SWAC

Patrick Crarey II has recruited several ways to improve the shooting around a defense that can pressure the ball. Dwayne Pierce gives Grambling Division I wing experience, while Antonio and Antoine Shannon arrive from Kilgore with the ability to contribute on the perimeter. Tyler Bey offers another potential scoring forward.

Kyle Layton can help organize the offense, but his older Tennessee Tech production must be distinguished from an injury absence at Eastern Illinois last season. Hassan Washington adds physicality inside, and Isaiah Miranda provides a different kind of size. Mekhi Fitts is a returning option for finishing possessions around the basket.

MMH projects eighth. The case for moving higher is straightforward: better shooting should make it easier to turn defensive stops into sustained offensive success. The concern is how much of that improvement is immediately dependable after so many additions. The Shannon brothers' junior-college percentages establish useful shooting backgrounds; they do not automatically establish the same efficiency against Division I closeouts. Grambling needs those new skills to fit a coherent rotation.

MMH projected starters: Kyle Layton, Dwayne Pierce, Antonio Shannon, Tyler Bey, Hassan Washington.

9. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Coach: Solomon Bozeman · 2025–26: 13-19 overall, 10-8 SWAC

Arkansas-Pine Bluff is an alternate sleeper because the official poll places it eleventh despite Solomon Bozeman's recent success rebuilding a roster. MMH is more optimistic at ninth, while recognizing how much production has to be replaced.

Jalen Tatum gives the Golden Lions an experienced SWAC creator. Elijah Hernandez adds passing and perimeter size after a productive season at Holy Family, and Jai'chaunn Hayes offers a returning player with room for a larger offensive role. Cedric Dixon is a possible source of shooting, while C J Smith and David Giddens bring experience from other Division I programs.

The frontcourt remains less certain. Braylon Johnson's development and the work of Miles Williams will affect how comfortably Bozeman can play bigger lineups. The research deliberately excludes partial-season figures quoted in Lataevyon Taylor's biography and older high-school averages presented near Johnson's redshirt information. The sleeper argument is about the construction of the roster and Tatum's opportunity, rather than a claim that every addition has an established Division I statistical record.

MMH projected starters: Jalen Tatum, Elijah Hernandez, Jai’chaunn Hayes, Braylon Johnson, Miles Williams.

10. Texas Southern

Coach: Corey Lowery · 2025–26: 12-18 overall, 10-8 SWAC

Corey Lowery's arrival creates a new evaluation for a program accustomed to contending in the SWAC. There are still experienced pieces on the current roster, but the coaching transition makes the fit and distribution of responsibilities harder to project.

Cameron Patterson offers returning scoring, and Karris Bilal adds an attacking guard option. Ben Vungo can help on the glass. Jaylan Walton and Sayed Sayed bring playmaking and scoring backgrounds from junior college, although Walton did not play last season at Southern Utah. Several other potential contributors also have older statistics that should not be mistaken for 2025-26 production.

MMH projects tenth. That ranking reflects uncertainty rather than a lack of possible contributors. A healthy Patterson, effective guard organization and a functioning interior rotation could move the Tigers upward. Josh Farmer's return and Jordan Gorecki's eligibility are material variables. Gorecki is rostered, but the waiver question described in Blue Ribbon was not independently resolved during this research; roster inclusion alone should not be described as a ruling.

MMH projected starters: Jaylan Walton, Karris Bilal, Cameron Patterson, Ben Vungo, Josh Farmer.

11. Alcorn State

Coach: Jake Morton · 2025–26: 9-23 overall, 7-11 SWAC

Jake Morton's second roster has more ways to address the size problems described in Blue Ribbon's evaluation of last season. The current group includes Christian Richardson and Bobby Cannon, additions that are not developed in that earlier team discussion. Their presence matters to the rotation, even though verified final statistical lines were not retrieved for this package.

Calvin Sirmans III gives the Braves a distributor, and Trey Thomas has already shown that he can score in the SWAC. Thomas' 2025-26 Southern Indiana season was only four games, however; his stronger Bethune-Cookman scoring average belongs to the prior season. Jahseem Felton offers another potential creator after an injury-shortened year.

Jayan Walker, Ma'Kye Taylor and Braylhan Thomas give Morton options for arranging the wings and forwards. MMH projects eleventh because the added size still has to become productive rebounding and defensive execution. Better control of the glass would give the guards more opportunities to establish an efficient offense and make Alcorn a more difficult team than that ranking suggests.

MMH projected starters: Calvin Sirmans III, Trey Thomas, Jayan Walker, Ma'Kye Taylor, Christian Richardson.

12. Mississippi Valley State

Coach: Mike Davis · 2025–26: 3-30 overall, 2-16 SWAC

Mike Davis has a recognizable rebuilding opportunity at Mississippi Valley State: create an organized team from a roster with substantial junior-college and lower-division experience. The challenge is translating that experience into sustainable Division I possessions.

AJ Abrams and Mykayle McCoy arrive with strong scoring backgrounds. Tymias Williams contributes a versatile defensive profile, and Eli Pippins gives Davis a guard with a reputation for distributing the ball. Matt Anglo and Caleb Cameron add options on the perimeter. Those players have earned opportunities, but their previous averages come from different levels of competition and should be presented with that context.

The frontcourt includes Harvey Wilson Jr., Gabriel Martinez and incoming freshman Tianhao Wu. Davis needs that group to hold up on the glass and protect the paint while the guards learn to manage pressure. MMH projects twelfth. Improvement can still show up in ball security, defensive positioning and competitive conference possessions before it produces a large jump in the standings. The rebuild should be evaluated through those concrete gains as well as its win total.

MMH projected starters: Eli Pippins, AJ Abrams, Mykayle McCoy, Tymias Williams, Tianhao (Howie) Wu.

Sleeper watch

Jackson State is the MMH sleeper recommendation. Sixth in the official poll leaves room for a roster with Ruffin and McMillian to exceed expectations. Our second-place projection is aggressive because proven guard creation is difficult to replace and difficult to defend in close games. It still depends on improvement at the other end.

Alabama State is the alternate for readers looking for a new-coach turnaround: the offensive talent is appealing, and seventh in the poll creates room to surprise. Arkansas-Pine Bluff is the deeper option, with Tatum and an opportunity to beat an eleventh-place expectation.

Sources and projection notes

Blue Ribbon 2026–27 College Basketball Yearbook, Southwestern Athletic section, printed pages 367–377, was the primary scouting reference. Analysis is original. Current official rosters and biographies were checked on October 26; final official statistics take precedence over conflicting older biography text where retrieved. Projected starters are MMH selections, not announced lineups. The accompanying rotation research identifies unavailable figures and unresolved name discrepancies.

Alabama A&M's regular-season projection does not imply postseason eligibility. Its May APR announcement remains a material qualification; no subsequent reversal was verified for this package.