The University of Minnesota Women's Basketball Team has been selected to finish fifth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll, and second in the North Division. Last Season, UMD finished tied for second overall in the NSIC, and won the North Division title.

The Bulldogs received 166 points in the poll overall, and 43 points in the North Division, with three first place votes. Minnesota State, Mankato was picked as the preseason favorites with 215 points and six first place votes, with Concordia-St. Paul (194, 4), Sioux Falls (185, 5), and Mary (174, 1) picked above them. 

The Mary Marauders were selected as preseason favorites in the North Division with 45 points and received four first place votes. MSU-Moorhead was picked third with 40 points and also received one first place vote.

Claire Bjorge was selected as UMD's player to watch for the 2026-27 season. The junior guard from De Pere, Wisconsin averaged 12.5 points last season for the Bulldogs and earned NSIC Second-Team honors.

The Bulldogs take to Des Moines to play Drake in an exhibition on October 28th, and will start their season in Mississippi on November 13th, playing Arkansas Tech at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi.