The Johns Hopkins women’s basketball team will enter the 2026-27 season ranked No. 8 nationally in the D3hoops.com Preseason Poll, according to Johns Hopkins University Athletics. The ranking is the second-highest preseason position in program history, trailing only the No. 6 ranking the Blue Jays received before the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.
Johns Hopkins has made three consecutive trips to the Sweet 16. The Blue Jays advanced to the Round of 16 for the third straight season under fourth-year head coach Rodney Rogan.
Johns Hopkins Women’s Basketball Team Returns Key Contributors
Seniors Layla Henderson and Lauren Knudson earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors last season. Sophomores Jocelyn Goldstein and Faith Williamson also return after receiving All-Centennial honorable mention recognition.
The Blue Jays added seven newcomers to the 2026-27 roster, including one transfer and six freshmen. Johns Hopkins returns more than 52% of last season’s scoring production and 42% of its minutes.
Last season, Johns Hopkins ranked first nationally in field goal percentage defense, fourth in scoring margin and seventh in scoring defense.
Centennial Conference Has Two Teams in Top 25
Denison topped the D3hoops.com preseason poll after receiving 24 of 25 first-place votes. NYU and Scranton rounded out the top three.
The Centennial Conference placed two teams in the top 25, with Gettysburg ranked No. 17. Gettysburg also earned an NCAA Tournament appearance last season.
Johns Hopkins Opens 2026-27 Season Nov. 7
Johns Hopkins opens the 2026-27 season Saturday, Nov. 7, at Goldfarb Gymnasium against Notre Dame of Maryland at 1 p.m. The Blue Jays then face Randolph-Macon Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m.; Randolph-Macon received votes in the D3hoops.com preseason poll.
The early schedule also includes a visit to Batten on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. and a game at Washington and Lee on Nov. 21 at 3 p.m. Johns Hopkins then plays at Mary Washington on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m.
The Blue Jays host Gettysburg on Dec. 2 at 6 p.m., visit McDaniel on Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. and host Gallaudet on Dec. 8 at 5 p.m.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The No. 8 preseason ranking gives Johns Hopkins its second-highest preseason position in program history. The Blue Jays’ three consecutive Sweet 16 trips and their returning production provide important context for the national ranking, while their defensive results from last season offer a clear statistical measure of the team’s recent performance.
Source: Original report
