Coming off a fourth straight post season appearance in last year's WNIT field, the University of Memphis women's basketball team was picked to finish sixth in a poll of the American Athletic Conference head coaches it was announced Monday.
"One of our goals as a team entering the American Athletic Conference was that we came in as a team that had some credibility," Head Coach Melissa McFerrin said. "Obviously, SMU was our conference winner last season, however, the recent success of our program has not gone unnoticed as is evidenced by the preseason poll. "
Defending national champion Connecticut was named the preseason pick to win the conference crown, with Louisville picked to finish second. USF, Rutgers and SMU round out the top five of the preseason picks.
"We have significant challenges in the American, however we have great opportunity," McFerrin said. "We will be bold in our expectations in The American. We are not naïve to the competition level, but we will expect to compete and compete well on the court."
The preseason poll was released in conjunction with the league's media day, hosted at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Monday. The WNBA arena will be the host site of the league's conference tournament in March.
"The American media day was held in an absolute first class Mohegan Sun arena. It gives us an opportunity for national exposure for The American as well as for the University of Memphis. This is, without question, one of the greatest facilities to host a conference tournament in the nation. The fans will have a tremendous basketball and entertainment experience."
|
2013-14 Preseason Coaches Poll |
||
| 1. | Connecticut (9) | 81 |
| 2. | Louisville (1) | 73 |
| 3. | USF | 59 |
| 4. | Rutgers | 57 |
| 5. | SMU | 50 |
| 6. | Memphis | 32 |
| 7. | Cincinnati | 30 |
| 8. | UCF | 28 |
| 9. | Temple | 25 |
| 10. | Houston | 15 |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.