FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After being picked as the preseason favorites of the Sunshine State Conference last week, the Nova Southeastern University women's basketball team has earned the No. 23 spot in the 2016-17 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll, released on Tuesday.
 
The WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches' Poll Committee is made up of 24 head coaches at NCAA Division II institutions — one from each conference.
 
Sitting at the top of the poll is Bentley, who collected 12 first place votes, followed by California Baptist, West Texas A&M, Emporia State and Ashland to round out the Top 5. Fellow SSC member, Florida Southern, comes in at No. 6 after finishing in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2015-16.
 
The Sharks start their 2016-17 campaign hosting the annual NSU Tipoff Classic, starting with Delta State on Nov. 11 before taking on No. 9 Union (Tenn.) on Nov. 12.