MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan women's basketball team has been picked to finish second in the GLIAC Preseason Poll, announced by the conference on Wednesday. 

2026-27 GLIAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Grand Valley State, 100 (10)
2. Northern Michigan, 84
3. Parkside, 76 (1)
4. Ferris State, 75
5. Wayne State, 68
6. Roosevelt, 53
7. Michigan Tech, 49
8. Davenport, 31
9. Lake Superior State, 29
10. Saginaw Valley State, 24
11. Purdue Northwest, 16

Under Casey Thousand, now in her fifth season, the Wildcats boast an 85-40 overall record, including 53-23 in the GLIAC. Despite losing four starters from a season ago, the Wildcats return nine players, including several key contributors from last season's 25-8 campaign. NMU has also brought in six freshmen and one transfer.

The Wildcats have hosted a GLIAC Tournament game in each of the past four seasons and will also be looking to make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season. 

The new year begins at the D2CCA Tip-Off Challenge in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, on Friday, October 30, when the Wildcats take on Central Missouri at 12:15 p.m. ET.

A season preview will be released on Tuesday, October 27.