The Johns Hopkins University women’s basketball team ranked No. 7 in the 2026-27 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Preseason Poll released Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. The ranking is the second-highest preseason position in program history, trailing only the No. 6 ranking Johns Hopkins received before the 2024-25 season.
Johns Hopkins University women’s basketball team returns key contributors
Johns Hopkins enters the season after three consecutive trips to the Sweet 16. The Blue Jays advanced to the Round of 16 for the third consecutive season under fourth-year head coach Rodney Rogan.
Seniors Layla Henderson and Lauren Knudson return after earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors last season. Sophomores Jocelyn Goldstein and Faith Williamson also return after receiving All-Centennial honorable mention recognition.
Blue Jays bring back scoring and minutes
Johns Hopkins returns more than 52% of last season’s scoring production and 42% of its minutes. The 2026-27 roster also includes seven newcomers, with one transfer and six freshmen.
Last season, Johns Hopkins ranked first nationally in field goal percentage defense, fourth in scoring margin and seventh in scoring defense.
Johns Hopkins is the lone Centennial representative
Denison leads the WBCA preseason poll after receiving nine first-place votes. NYU and Bates round out the top three, while Johns Hopkins is the lone Centennial Conference representative in the poll.
The Blue Jays will open the 2026-27 season Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. against Notre Dame of Maryland at Goldfarb Gymnasium. Johns Hopkins will then face Randolph-Macon on Nov. 10 at 5 p.m.; Randolph-Macon received votes in the WBCA Preseason Poll.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The No. 7 preseason ranking gives the Johns Hopkins University women’s basketball team its second-highest position in program history. The Blue Jays return more than half of last season’s scoring production after three consecutive trips to the Sweet 16, while their national defensive rankings provide additional context for the preseason recognition.
Source: Original report
