As the 2026-27 D3 basketball season begins, many of you may be wondering which teams have a shot at making a playoff run. Obviously, you can go with the obvious programs: Mary Washington men's basketball, Denison women's basketball, Christopher Newport men's basketball, and so on. However, your mind may not immediately go to programs that are ready to take the next step, whether it's building a program or making the first NCAA Elite Eight in program history.
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These are five NCAA D3 basketball programs that are ready to take that leap, whatever may look like for them.
Mary Hardin-Baylor Women’s Basketball (ASC)
Mary Hardin-Baylor Women's Basketball has already taken the next step in hiring Zenarae Antoine as its head coach. The next step they can take is putting together a winning record. Under Antoine, they can do this.
Antoine joins the Cru following 15 seasons as women’s basketball head coach at NCAA D1 Texas State University, where she compiled a 225-232 record. She led the Bobcats to five postseason appearances and the 2023 Sun Belt Championship. She has been honored as Coach of the Year on several occasions and has coached multiple student-athletes who have gone on to play professionally.
UMHB women’s basketball opens the 2026-27 campaign at Trinity University (TX) on Saturday, Nov. 7. They return home on Tuesday, Nov. 10, to host Dallas Christian College Women's Basketball at 6 p.m. CT, which you can watch live on FloCollege.
Roanoke Men’s Basketball (ODAC)
The Roanoke College men's basketball team starts the 2026-27 season at No. 15 in the D3hoops.com poll. Last season, the Maroons went 23-7 and captured their first ODAC title since 1999-2000. They advanced to the NCAA D3 Tournament, but weren’t able to make it to the Sweet 16. They dropped an 83-81 OT heartbreaker to No. 2 Emory University in the second round of the tournament, just after knocking off No. 1 Randolph-Macon College in the ODAC Championship game.
The Maroons return key players Jackson Bell and Gavin O’Malley, both of whom earned all-conference honors following the 2025-26 campaign. Clay Nunley returns as head coach for his 11th season with RC. Alongside him is Perry Ayers, who was recently promoted to Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach following two seasons of success leading the Maroons.
New York University Women’s Basketball (UAA)
By “ready to take the next step,” we mean “ready to win another national title.”
From March 11, 2023, to March 19, 2026, NYU women's basketball won 91 consecutive games without one loss. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. The University of Scranton ended the streak on March 19, 2026, in a 60-52 Royals victory in the NCAA Division III Final Four.
The two-time defending National Champions (29-1) just couldn’t get it done last season, but they have the chance to take care of unfinished business during the 2026-27 campaign. With a veteran presence on the court and Meg Barber at the helm, the Violets are ready to take back what is theirs.
Redlands Men’s Basketball (SCIAC)
The University of Redlands men's basketball team compiled a record of 24-5 in the 2025-26 season. Their season came to a close on March 7, as they fell to Hood College 114-104 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Head Coach Eric Bridgeland was just five wins away from 100 with the Bulldogs.
It’s time to reset; this season, the Bulldogs could go further. They play in two of the top Division III preseason tournaments, which will prepare them for the challenging slate the SCIAC always has to offer. In season, they will look to defend their SCIAC Tournament title and make a deeper run into the NCAA D3 Tournament.
Scranton Women’s Basketball (Landmark Conference)
I know what you’re thinking: They just won the national title; they already took the “next step.” And, on paper, I’d agree with you. However, Scranton women's basketball is under new leadership this year; it’s essentially a new program following a historic season.
Head women’s basketball coach Ben O’Brien departed Scranton after accepting a head coaching position at Division I Lafayette College. During his time at Scranton, he led the Royals to a 117-7 mark, four Landmark Conference Championships and four straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Kaitlyn Lewis, a former assistant coach at the Division I and III levels, is the new head of the Lady Royals. She filled out her coaching staff in August of 2026 and has welcomed a freshman class that will build on the National Championship-winning program O’Brien left behind.
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