North Alabama Ranked Sixth in ASUN Women’s Basketball Preseason Polls
The Atlantic Sun Conference just dropped its 2025 preseason scoop for women’s basketball, and fans are buzzing. North Alabama landed sixth in both the media and coaches polls, so the season’s shaping up to be a wild ride.
This post digs into the highlights, player spotlights, and team vibes that are making the 2025-26 ASUN women’s basketball season one to watch.
ASUN Preseason Polls: A Closer Look
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The ASUN preseason polls have really stirred the pot. Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) stands out as the favorite, grabbing the top spot in both the coaches and media rankings.
FGCU picked up six first-place votes from the coaches and 36 from the media. All eyes are on them this year.
Top Teams in the Coaches Poll
The coaches poll shows just how competitive things are:
- FGCU: 128 points (6 first-place votes)
- Central Arkansas: 124 points (3 first-place votes)
- Stetson: 118 points (1 first-place vote)
- Lipscomb: 98 points
- EKU: 97 points (1 first-place vote)
Insights from the Media Poll
The media poll basically echoes the same vibe:
- FGCU: 474 points (36 first-place votes)
- Central Arkansas: 416 points
- Lipscomb: 370 points
- EKU: 368 points (2 first-place votes)
- Stetson: 308 points
North Alabama’s Prospects
Head Coach Candi Whitaker and the North Alabama Lions are getting ready for what could be a breakout year. Seven players are back from last season, and the team looks hungry.
Last year, North Alabama made the ASUN Tournament and picked up 13 wins. They’re hoping to build on that momentum.
Key Returning Players
Several veterans return to the roster, bringing some much-needed experience:
- Katie Criswell: Junior, top returning scorer with 8.2 points per game on 34.9% shooting.
- India Howard: Senior, leads in rebounds and blocks, averaged 8.0 points on 50% shooting.
- Emma Kate Tittle: Senior, three-point threat, put up 7.3 points per game on 44.8% shooting.
- Alyssa Clutter: Senior, averaged 7.8 points per game on 55.1% shooting, and grabbed 5.3 rebounds per game.
- Jazzy Klinge: Senior, chipped in 5.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
New Additions to the Team
North Alabama also brought in three transfers and five freshmen to shake things up:
- Bukky Akinsola: Grad transfer from Georgia Southern, averaged 5.1 points per game.
- Alexsandra Alvarado: Senior transfer from San Francisco State, scored 1,105 points at her last stop.
- Cameron McNamara: Junior transfer from Highlands Community College, First-Team NJCAA All-American.
- Freshmen: Brooke Hallman, Greta Ramon, Gabby Jackson, Mak Golden, Sofia Gaidukova.
Preseason Awards and Recognitions
The ASUN Conference rolled out its preseason awards, spotlighting players who could really make some noise this year.
Preseason Player of the Year
Cameron Thomas from Stetson snagged Preseason Player of the Year. She’s got serious game.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Bree Stephens from Central Arkansas earned Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Her defense is just tough to beat.
Preseason All-ASUN Team
The Preseason All-ASUN Team features some heavy hitters:
- Cameron Thomas: Stetson
- Anovia Sheals: Austin Peay
- Bree Stephens: Central Arkansas
- Liz Freihofer: EKU
- Priscilla Williams: Jacksonville
- Cerina Rolle: FGCU
- Molly Heard: Lipscomb
- Aleah Sorrentino: Stetson
- Destiny Jones: West Georgia
- Sydne Tolbert: West Georgia
Looking Ahead: The 2025 ASUN Tipoff Event
The 2025 ASUN Tipoff event is set for Monday, October 20 in Jacksonville, Fla. It’s a big chance for teams and players to show what they’ve got and maybe make a statement early.
Head Coach Candi Whitaker will be there for North Alabama, along with India Howard and Alyssa Clutter. The event airs on ESPN October 28, so fans can catch all the action and maybe spot the next big thing.
2025-26 ASUN Women’s Basketball: A Season Worth Watching
The 2025-26 ASUN women’s basketball season looks like it could be a wild ride. We’re talking intense competition, standout players, and those moments you just can’t forget.
FGCU, Central Arkansas, and North Alabama all seem ready to go head-to-head. If you’re a fan, this is definitely a season you won’t want to miss.
Want to keep up with everything as it happens? Check out the official North Alabama Athletics website for news and updates.
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