Virginia Union University's women's basketball team was picked to finish sixth while the men's basketball team was picked to finish fifth in the 2026-27 CIAA Basketball Preseason Predictions, announced Tuesday, October 6, during the 2026 CIAA Basketball Media Day in Baltimore, Md.

VUU senior forward Malachi Dark, a native of Richmond, Va., was named to the Preseason All-CIAA Men's Basketball Team.

The Lady Panthers were picked sixth in the women's preseason poll. Winston-Salem State University was selected as the preseason favorite, followed by Fayetteville State University, Bowie State University, Virginia State University, and Claflin University.

Virginia Union was followed in the predicted order of finish by Livingstone College, Johnson C. Smith University, Bluefield State University, Shaw University, Elizabeth City State University and Lincoln University (Pa.).

"The new student athletes that I've brought in are going to be very beneficial to the team," said VUU Head Women's Basketball Coach Alico Dunk.  "We had to solve some issues with shooting the basketball, that was the key in the system and style that I want to play.  You've got to be able to shoot the basketball, and we've solved that."

2026-27 CIAA Women's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish

1. Winston-Salem State University
2. Fayetteville State University
3. Bowie State University
4. Virginia State University
5. Claflin University
6. Virginia Union University
7. Livingstone College
8. Johnson C. Smith University
9. Bluefield State University
10. Shaw University
11. Elizabeth City State University
12. Lincoln University (Pa.)

On the men's side, Fayetteville State University was picked to finish first, followed by Bluefield State University, Virginia State University and Claflin University. Virginia Union was selected fifth.

2026-27 CIAA Men's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish

1. Fayetteville State University
2. Bluefield State University
3. Virginia State University
4. Claflin University
5. Virginia Union University
6. Winston-Salem State University
7. Johnson C. Smith University
8. Lincoln University (Pa.)
9. Bowie State University
10. Livingstone College
11. Shaw University
12. Elizabeth City State University

"Virginia Union is the reason I became a coach," said VUU Head Men's Basketball Coach A.J. English.  "When I saw the young men that would be around and the rapport I was able to establish, all I have to do is re-establish that family culture that we had as players.  We're just ushering in that same perspective to the new generation."

The men's team will open play in the 2026-27 season with an exhibition game against Hampton University in Hampton, Va., on Saturday, October 10.

The Lady Panthers tip off the 2026-27 season with a scrimmage against Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, Va., on Saturday, October 31.

Basketball season passes will go on sale on Friday, October 9.