ESPN preseason ranking

[Artifact]

Can’t wait!

Undefeated season, here we come!

We are rated 'Great' , no # 2 on paper, I will wait, to see how they rate playing on the, 'Wood' !

 

[Surly1]

What exactly are the “huge question marks”? We have the most talented roster in the country, we have the best player in the country, there is not a single player on our 14 woman roster that is not either a starter or a heavy rotational player on all but four or five teams in the country, we finally have a top quality big with real size, we have an elite recruiting class that includes the #1 player who appears to be a generational talent, we have an experienced backup PG who starred in a system that is virtually identical to ours, Azzi is looking like she will finally be healthy this season, KK & Ash have experience, Aubrey is looking good, we have a highly ranked backup (with experience) for Jana in Ice Brady, it is looking like Ayanna and Caroline might actually be able to play, and we have a bevy of good to elite shooters! I’m shocked we’re not number one! Nothing personal, but 8-12 is simply ludicrous! Anyone who ranks this team out of the top five is either delusional or biased! I could see Caroline and Ayanna as question marks and Azzi & Aubrey as perhaps uncertain as to when they will be fully cleared but even so, there is plenty of talent to carry this team until Azzi and Aubrey are ready. I’d love to hear the 8-11 teams that are better than us right now?

I realize it is preseason, but I'm scratching my head over some of these posts stating UConn doesn't deserve a #2 or 3 pre-season ranking. Have they forgotten that Paige is still on the roster? Last year was more of a question mark for UConn because it was unknown how quickly or well Paige would perform a year off from injury/surgery. All I can say is that she's the frontrunner for NPOY, and any team that has a former NPOY on their team has extremely high aspirations.

Regardless of who is and isn't ready to begin the season, UConn has Paige, Ashlynn, KK, Kaitlyn Chen (a 5th-year player), Ice Brady, the number #1 recruit and Jana El Alfy for starters. As somebody stated previously, it doesn't matter how many players you have, only 5 can play at a time.

There are 8-10 programs that are stocked with talent this year, UConn among them. Even though SC returns almost everyone from its NC team, I'll stack UConn's roster against anyone. Each season, it seems a player that was unexpected to contribute, makes a sizable one. Last year, it was KK & Ashlynn. This season, this year's (LLS) is Kaitlyn Chen, and Qadence Samuels will show dramatic improvement in her overall game. However, my sleeper pick is Ayanna. Freshman year, her offense was nonexistent. However, she looks taller & stronger. We know she's athletic, and I feel she's going to make her presence felt on the glass and offensively, by just playing and not overthinking like she did her first season.

This is Paige's team outright, and I expect her to minimize those in-game lapses from last season. She's healthy, stronger and it will help that she won't accumulate as many minutes. Even subtracting Azzi, Caroline & Aubrey, UConn has the requisite talent to challenge for a NC.

After the past 3 seasons, UConn is overdue for some positive juju. Geno can take his time incorporating last year's injured players into the mix as he has other horses in the barn, ready to show what they can do.

 

[Alydar]

We showed last season with a limited and pretty much inexperienced roster how to stop top teams some of which we will face this season with a much deeper roster and a more talented roster. If we are healthy and it appears from early reports we are we are the team to beat. Paige, surrounded by all this talent will be almost unstoppable. That alone will carry us. Paige Azzi and Chen give us guards who can score and create and no team in WCBB has a trio like that. Playing defense like we did last season with more experience and a deeper roster with height tells me we are gonna be really really tuff to beat. The keys are stay healthy. We have way to much talent and depth of talent to not be able to handle opponents. I was thinking the past few seasons it would be the Paige and Azzi show. This year will be only with alot more talent surrounding them who can play up to their standards. We're Back. Bigger Stronger and Deeper then ever

I am blinded by the offensive potential this year but the defense could be even better. As good as they were they couldn't play high pressure. They had to avoid fouls and they had to play long minutes. The depth will allow Geno to play up tempo on offense and defense. Open shots early in the possession by the elite shooters will be encouraged.

 

[yhun89]

I am blinded by the offensive potential this year but the defense could be even better. As good as they were they couldn't play high pressure. They had to avoid fouls and they had to play long minutes. The depth will allow Geno to play up tempo on offense and defense. Open shots early in the possession by the elite shooters will be encouraged.

Defensive wise, we’ve got a decent showing:

Paige, resident point forward, elite anticipation IQ. Can tip the pass or steal it before it gets to the opponent.

Ashlynn, a great man to man defender on perimeter players, not as effective if they’re scrappy (like a Hannah or like Gabbie)

KK, able to cover scrappy players and pickpocket if needed. Puts pressure on the ball handler or the off ball mover.

Aubrey, athletic and quick. Will fight for the rebound and go for the steal and the fast break.

Kaitlyn, fairly scrappy as well. Good IQ, sticks to her girl. Had some great defense back in the Ivy’s against Harmoni Turner, a 5 star recruit from Harvard. Completely shut her down, and Turner is incredibly scrappy.

Morgan seems to be a good defender, given her show at the Jordan Classic a while back and her longer wingspan makes her a difficult presence to get by.

Sarah, a big body to try and drive on/post up. She makes it incredibly difficult to make the shot on, especially if you’re under the basket.

Jana has some high defensive IQ plays in the FIBA cup before she got hurt.

 

[UConnCat]

Ohio State’s post players are?

@GirlBoo1020

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

I just hope Ayanna and Azzi jave a breakthrough season. If those two, if healthy, can contribute, just give us the trophy in March. Ayanna has to understand and hone in her physical strength. She needs to be almost methodical about how she approaches playing defense. She is so strong and aggressive that these refs are going to call fouls against her in every possession.

 

[Geew1992]

I just hope Ayanna and Azzi jave a breakthrough season. If those two, if healthy, can contribute, just give us the trophy in March. Ayanna has to understand and hone in her physical strength. She needs to be almost methodical about how she approaches playing defense. She is so strong and aggressive that these refs are going to call fouls against her in every possession.

You spoke it into existence

 

[Dillon77]

Ohio State’s post players are?

@GirlBoo1020

Piqued my interest, so I took a visit over to the Ohio State roster page.
Looks like the main person in the middle this year will be:

- Ajae Petty, the 6'3" post/forward who came over from Kentucky. She averaged 14.2 ppg (on 51% shooting from the field) and 10.6 rebounds per game. She'll join Taylor Thierry and Cotie McMahon up front.

Beyond that, three underclassmen possibly in the pipeline:
- Faith Carson, a 6'4" post from Michigan who barely got off the bench last year
and

• Ella Hobbs, a 64" forward from North Carolina
• Elsa Lemmila, a 6'6" post from Finland. She might be worth paying attention to at some point for Kevin McGuff seems to have a knack for finding tall talent overseas (see Dorak Juhasz, Rebeka Mikulaskova).

 

[Bone Dog]

You spoke it into existence

This is why I’m so careful about even whispering the word inj***. No, don’t say it. Don’t even think it. Certainly don’t speculate on empty possibilities. A karmic cosmos doesn’t need any excuses in this matter. Also, try not to move. Its eyesight is based on movement.

 

[HopJim]

Good discussion. I appreciate the sentiment, Geno with undoubtedly a top 5 player in the country and loads of talent usually means really special things for UConn. But the other day Sue Bird was talking to Juju Watkins about how they kinda have a super team at USC. I just think the landscape of wcbb with the transfer portal is so different. Kiki going to USC is just a move you wouldn't see though it's complicated with Tara retiring. I just think the way teams load up on experienced talent is just a bit different and makes it much harder to win a championship.

I think Geno put together a really good schedule that is a bit lighter to start the season. So I think if the team can win early they will build confidence. It will make the tough December more manageable.

I think they should be top 5 all year.

The reference to USC and all their talent brings up a good question. While 99% of the posts revolve around UConn's offense, our interior defense, shot blocking, and rebounding deserves mention as well. UConn usually has a defensive stopper or two. Do we have one this year? Huskies have the talent to be a top 3-5 team but wonder about these other intangibles needed to win it all. With all the top 10 players on this team, I doubt Geno is worrying about the rankings-all eyes are on the NCAA's.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

The reference to USC and all their talent brings up a good question. While 99% of the posts revolve around UConn's offense, our interior defense, shot blocking, and rebounding deserves mention as well. UConn usually has a defensive stopper or two. Do we have one this year? Huskies have the talent to be a top 3-5 team but wonder about these other intangibles needed to win it all. With all the top 10 players on this team, I doubt Geno is worrying about the rankings-all eyes are on the NCAA's.

HopJim- - - -You can bet the farm that Geno and Staff will make an elite defense with all the talent on this team!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

I just finished making the Prognosticator's Predictions tally sheets for all of the games except game number 6 and you aren't prognosticating this year because you think you jinxed them last year? You didn't jinx them the NCAA wanted CC playing in the Finals so the refs had to find a way to get it done.

100% - phantom fouls on AE & company to put her [CC] on the charity stripe. Just ask my wife, one of the few times she was more unconsolable than I was after a loss in the FF.

I am thinking with PB as the consensus NPOY this year, the FF game will be called even for UConn this year.

Looking forward to a season that allows more than 95% of those predicting are able to convince themselves to predict wins every game for the women who play for UConn. [I cannot in good faith predict against them, as my bias for them is welded into my brain permanently...]

Go Huskies!!!

 

[CL82]

I am really not trolling

You are only pretending?

 

[sun]

According to Massey, UConn's preseason SSF rank is #24.
FWIW, SSF stands for Strength of Schedule Including Future Games which stands apart from Strength of Schedule alone which only includes games played.
Even though UConn is ranked #2 overall by Massey, maybe it's possible that UConn's ranking could be affected by it's "potentially weaker" SOS as the season progresses.
Maybe not by much but perhaps it's something to be aware of.

Massey Ratings - College Basketball Women's Ratings

Computer ratings and rankings for CBW (College Basketball Women's), with links to team predictions, scores, and schedules.

masseyratings.com

 

[Rowdy831]

No team will have a better roster. That is true pretty much every year and consequently they are always in the conversation regarding who will win it all. As always it will come down to to a couple breaks here and there and the health of the players. I am excited to finally see Paige and Azzi both healthy and playing together. I think Sarah fills a need that was lacking last year they should have a couple bigger players when needed.

If they have full availability I think it is theirs to lose.

 

[Bone Dog]

According to Massey, UConn's preseason SSF rank is #24.
FWIW, SSF stands for Strength of Schedule Including Future Games which stands apart from Strength of Schedule alone which only includes games played.
Even though UConn is ranked #2 overall by Massey, maybe it's possible that UConn's ranking could be affected by it's "potentially weaker" SOS as the season progresses.
Maybe not by much but perhaps it's something to be aware of.

Massey Ratings - College Basketball Women's Ratings

Computer ratings and rankings for CBW (College Basketball Women's), with links to team predictions, scores, and schedules.

masseyratings.com

It's worth thinking about. But finally, the only games that will matter for tournament seeding are the ones against USC ND SC Iowa St and maybe Tennessee. If we win those, or even just most of them, we'll be a #1 seed.

 

[yhun89]

It's worth thinking about. But finally, the only games that will matter for tournament seeding are the ones against USC ND SC Iowa St and maybe Tennessee. If we win those, or even just most of them, we'll be a #1 seed.

Tennessee probably won’t matter this year, they lost Jackson and Key, and the Pauldos aren’t coming until 2025. Who else do they have? I could be wrong.

 

[maple]

Tennessee probably won’t matter this year, they lost Jackson and Key, and the Pauldos aren’t coming until 2025. Who else do they have? I could be wrong.

And they have a brand new coach coming from a small time program. There's going to be some rebuilding for them.

 

[Cuango]

And they have a brand new coach coming from a small time program. There's going to be some rebuilding for them.

I think this coach is going to finally get Tennessee back to relevance again! By all accounts, she is a real winner and given the resources she now has access to a whole different level of athlete! If she can get Tennessee level recruits and purge that locker room of everything since Pat died, I think she will have them back among the elite before very long.

 

[Vowelguy]

Computer Rankings are built on data. There is none for 24-25 season, so any "preseason computer ranking" is entirely built on results from last year, and thus is basically meaningless.
Computer rankings are not reliable until after a few weeks and enough games have been played.

 

[Steelerone]

With the growing popularity of women's basketball the chances of any team going undefeated are dwindling. I'll be ecstatic if we can go through a season with a minimum of injuries. If so our chances are as good as any team in the nation.

 

[Bone Dog]

With the growing popularity of women's basketball the chances of any team going undefeated are dwindling.

I'm omitting the second half of your comment because it uses the inj*** word and I won't tempt karma by reproducing it. But I really love this first part. I don't expect to see any undefeated teams this season, though a couple of teams will probably come within 2 or 3 of that target, and UConn will be one of them.

 

[Bald Husky]

These Massey ratings are for the end of last year. They won't mean anything until everyone plays at least 10 games this season. It is perfectly obvious when they rank the Caitlin Clarkless Iowa team #1 in offence.

 

[CBus13]

@GirlBoo1020

Piqued my interest, so I took a visit over to the Ohio State roster page.
Looks like the main person in the middle this year will be:

- Ajae Petty, the 6'3" post/forward who came over from Kentucky. She averaged 14.2 ppg (on 51% shooting from the field) and 10.6 rebounds per game. She'll join Taylor Thierry and Cotie McMahon up front. [They also have Eboni Walker, who has had a curious career at Ohio State. I think she had a great first season after stepping up when Mikulasikova was injured and was crucial in their 2022 NCAA tournament run, but then struggled to find playing time last season, which frustrated fans. On her senior night, she played low minutes, then all of a sudden wasn't on the bench and then missed the next few games with no reason given. She is back for one final season.]

Beyond that, three underclassmen possibly in the pipeline:
- Faith Carson, a 6'4" post from Michigan who barely got off the bench last year [Carson is with the team but she and Hobbs were the only players not practicing at the first day of practice. No reason given for Carson's absence]
and

• Ella Hobbs, a 64" forward from North Carolina [I believe Hobbs tore her ACL or had a knee injury in her high school season. Not sure if she's cleared to play yet or when she will be]
• Elsa Lemmila, a 6'6" post from Finland. She might be worth paying attention to at some point for Kevin McGuff seems to have a knack for finding tall talent overseas (see Dorak Juhasz, Rebeka Mikulaskova).

 

[Charliebball]

As I always say at this time of the year........who cares about rankings! The only rankings that matter will be the ones on April 7th 2025!