Baptist (Fl) vs West Florida prediction: West Florida's Division I era meets its first NCCAA guest at home

A new era in Pensacola

West Florida spent 32 seasons in the Division II Gulf South Conference before moving to the Division I Atlantic Sun on July 1, 2026. This upcoming Monday night game at UWF Field House is part of the Argonauts' first Division I season, and it comes against an opponent from outside the NCAA entirely.

The program left Division II on a high. It won the Gulf South tournament final over top-seeded West Alabama, 76–69, on March 8. West Alabama then beat UWF 58–53 in the NCAA Division II first round, ending the season.

Tanner Smith's rebuilt roster

Justin Mann was released from his contract on March 30, and UWF hired Tanner Smith, previously the associate head coach at Appalachian State. Smith's roster includes transfers from Georgia Southwestern, The Citadel, Wingate and Minot State. No injuries, suspensions or eligibility issues had surfaced for either team as of Oct. 30. The Argonauts also have a tune-up first, on Nov. 2 against Southeastern Baptist, a game ESPN lists as regular season and the Southeastern Baptist schedule lists as an exhibition.

Who Baptist is

Baptist University of Florida, based in Graceville, is launching its athletics program in the NCCAA Division II South Region. Nate Hughes is both its athletic director and head basketball coach. "All of our coaches are hired and already hard at work," Hughes said. No roster, transfers or results for the program have been made public.

Before you tip

• The game is listed at 6 p.m., but Pensacola runs on Central time, and one listing points to 7 p.m. Eastern. Confirm the start.
• No spread or total has been posted. Against a first-year NCCAA program, any line that appears will reflect the size of the gap more than any matchup detail.