Preseason Poll Watch!

[Lorcan]

Oh boy! We're getting close to the beginning! The Summit kicks us off with the first preseason poll I've seen!



Summit League Release: Here

 

[Plebe]

In the new-look American Athletic Conference, USF tops the coaches' preseason poll. UCF edges out Tulane and Cincinnati for 2nd place.

USF Earns Top Spot In American Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll

USF was tabbed as the preseason favorite in American Athletic Conference women’s basketball for the first time, taking home the top spot in the 2020-21 preseason coaches’ poll as voted on by The American’s 11 head coaches.

theamerican.org

 

[Plebe]

Oh boy! We're getting close to the beginning! The Summit kicks us off with the first preseason poll I've seen!



Summit League Release: Here

As usual, the rivals from Vermillion and Brookings dominate the preseason Summit League poll, accounting for 7 of the 11 players on the first and second teams.

The Coyotes of South Dakota are coming off their best season since joining D-I in 2011. They went 29-2, their only losses coming to South Carolina and Missouri State, ran the table in the Summit League, and finished at #17 in the AP poll. They lost 3 starters to graduation, including Ciara Duffy, but they seem to be in good hands with returners Hannah Sjerven (tabbed as preseason Summit POY), Chloe Lamb, Monica Arens and Taylor Frederick, each of whom averaged 9-12 ppg last season.

The Jackrabbits of South Dakota State had a relatively disappointing 2019-20 season that began with high expectations but was marred by injuries to key players. SDSU finished 23-10 (13-3 in conference) and lost a close game to USD in the Summit final. Myah Selland was sidelined in December by a foot injury; she has since received a medical hardship waiver to restore her junior year of eligibility. Paiton Burckhard, Tori Nelson (2019 Summit Freshman of the Year) and Tylee Irwin bring back plenty of experience as well.

USD and SDSU are among the programs most adversely affected by the shortened nonconference season and canceled holiday tournaments. Hopefully they can both find at least a few "opportunity" games in late November and December.

In any event, I'm looking forward to another season of intense battles between these two midmajor gems.

 

[Bigboote]

One of my big disappointments last year was not seeing the Coyotes in the NCAAT. Duffy had a phenomenal year.

 

[Plebe]

I just noticed that the Big 12 released its preseason poll last week:



Baylor takes preseason POY (Smith), Newcomer of the Year (Carrington) and FOY (Andrews) and places 3 on the all-conference team (Smith, Richards, Egbo).

2020-21 WBB Preseason Awards Announced

A Baylor trio headlined the 2020-21 Preseason All-Big 12 Women’s Basketball Awards, marking just the second time in league history a team has swept the preseason individual awards. The awards and team are chosen by head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes.

big12sports.com

 

[Lorcan]

I’m surprised that Texas is ahead of Iowa State, but maybe I shouldn’t be. Ashley Joens should have a big year.

 

[Plebe]

I’m surprised that Texas is ahead of Iowa State, but maybe I shouldn’t be. Ashley Joens should have a big year.

The voting was close between the two. Call it the Vic factor.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Is anyone prepared to make the case that the Big 12 is stronger than the Big East?

 

[Plebe]

Is anyone prepared to make the case that the Big 12 is stronger than the Big East?

Yes.

It's close if we look at only the top 3 teams of each conference. After that the Big 12 has the clear edge. Plus the BE has an additional weak team at the bottom.

Last year's season-ending Massey ranking in parentheses:

1. Baylor (3) ----- UConn (4)
2. TCU (26)-------- DePaul (16)
3. Texas (28)------ Marquette (29)
4. Iowa St (30)---- Creighton (53)
5. WVU (38)-------- Seton Hall (54)
6. Kansas St (40)-- St. John's (57)
7. Okla. St (42)--- Villanova (72)
8. TX Tech (52)---- Butler (74)
9. Oklahoma (69)--- Providence (118)
10. Kansas (75) ---- Georgetown (158)
11. ---------------- Xavier (181)

The Big 12 was the #2 conference in Massey last season. No nationally elite teams outside of Baylor, but 6 teams concentrated in the 26-42 range and no one outside the top 75, which is actually remarkable.

 

[DefenseBB]

In the new-look American Athletic Conference, USF tops the coaches' preseason poll. UCF edges out Tulane and Cincinnati for 2nd place.

View attachment 60415

USF Earns Top Spot In American Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll

USF was tabbed as the preseason favorite in American Athletic Conference women’s basketball for the first time, taking home the top spot in the 2020-21 preseason coaches’ poll as voted on by The American’s 11 head coaches.

theamerican.org

The only thing I know for sure is I am rooting against UCF and Coach Abe all season long....

 

[EricLA]

The only thing I know for sure is I am rooting against UCF and Coach Abe all season long....

Agreed. they can lose and sink to the bottom forever as far as i'm concerned. Go Temple and USF!