GREENVILLE, S.C. – After making its third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament last season, the UNC Pembroke women's basketball team has been picked to finish third in the release of the Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches Poll on Thursday. 
 
The Black & Gold picked up one first place votes and a total of 192 total points. Francis Marion was picked as the preseason favorite collecting 11 first place votes and 221 points, while reigning Conference Carolinas champions Belmont Abbey were picked to finish second with 199 points and two first place votes. Chowan, who was picked to finish fourth, logged the other first place vote with 184 points. 
 
Points are awarded on a 15-14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis, and coaches are not permitted to vote for their own teams. 
 
The Braves won a share of the Conference Carolinas East Division title during the 2024-25 season and make the program's third trip to the big dance. UNCP shot 41.7 percent from the field last year and averaged 64.7 points per game. 
 
UNC Pembroke will open the season on November 14 when they host the Conference Challenge on Nov. 14-15 at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court. The Braves will play Wingate on Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. matchup against Coker on Nov. 15. 

Teams	Total (First Place Votes)
Francis Marion	221 (11)
Belmont Abbey	199 (2)
UNC Pembroke	192 (2)
Chowan	184 (1)
Young Harris	178
Shorter	155
Barton	131
Emmanuel	124
King	115
Lees-McRae	93
Converse	81
North Greenville	76
Mount Olive	61
Southern Wesleyan	56
Erskine	33
Ferrum	21