The USA South Athletic Conference's women's basketball coaches have released their 2020-21 preseason polls. Each divisional preseason poll only includes votes from coaches within that particular division-only. Head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

https://usasouth.net/sports/wbkb/2020-21/releases/20210113f6e05u

The 2021 Battling Bishop Women were selected as the favorite in the East Division preseason poll that the conference released on Wednesday. The Bishops received 6 of 8 first place votes in the coaches balloting for 48 points while defending division champ William Peace was selected 2nd with 38 points and the other two first place votes.

The women are 2-1 during the early season so far and return to action on Friday at Mary Baldwin (Va.) to begin conference play. The Bishops will return home on Sunday to host Mary Baldwin again at 2:00 PM.

The 2021 USA South Women's Basketball Tournament will once again be conducted exclusively on campus sites. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the tournament size will be reduced to the top-two seeded teams from each division. Additionally, USA South rules implemented for this season state that teams must complete seven Conference contests to be eligible to earn a divisional championship and/or advance to USA South tournament play. Divisional championships will take place between the two-top teams from each division with the winners facing each other for the USA South Championship.

INDOOR SPECTATOR POLICY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Presidents of the USA South Athletic Conference have unanimously agreed to a Conference policy stating that no spectators shall be permitted to attend any indoor USA South sporting event. This includes the sport of basketball which is scheduled to begin Conference play during the weekend of January 16th. The lack of spectators will allow institutional staffs to focus solely on maintaining the health and safety of those participating in the event.

"Conducting intercollegiate contests during the pandemic is a challenge in and of itself," stated Dr. Tom Hart, USA South Commissioner. "Focusing efforts to provide safe game conditions is the priority at this point. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide any updates to the spectator policy as they occur."