Press
04-16-2002, 01:17 PM
Here are the top 15, see the link for the rest.
1 Tennessee- Forget the transfers, this team is still loaded and chemistry looks to be better. Kara leads the way, but she has plenty of help with Robinson, Ely, Jackson and don't forget the incoming freshmen, led by Zolman who looks likely to be the Vol fan's favorite. If Pat can keep the chemistry up to par, UT will be headed to Atlanta-for two games.
2 Duke- While Duke will still be a relatively young team, the incoming freshmen will give this team the depth it needs to go all the way. Beard and Currie are an unmatched backcourt and Tillis will lead a much better frontcourt. Rumor says Gail got offers to leave-this is why she stayed.
3 Stanford- The Cardinal are not happy with the way a very fine season ended, but with most everyone back from a 32-3 squad, look for Stanford to once again be in the hunt to win it all. Yamasaki and Enhgusen are major losses, but Powell is back as part of a talented group that should once again dominate the PAC-10.
4 Texas Tech- Thanks to the play of a host of players like Tarr and Perkins and the return of Pierson who is said to have renewed vigor to play the game, TT looks to be a final four caliber group. Add some very nice recruits and Marsha and you have a Big 12 Championship contender.
5 Purdue- The Boilers are always among the nation's elite and 02-03 will be no exception. Three returning starters and a group of talented recruits will give Coach Curry plenty to work with in defending her Big 10 title. Wright is a legitimate All American candidate and she will have lots of help on both ends of the court. If this team gels, it is final four capable.
6 Connecticut- Ho hum, a few more All Americans leave and are replaced by some future All Americans. Taurasi will get most of the spot light, but all those minutes last year for Moore, the Valleys and Battle mean the awesome freshmen will have time to mature and by February or so, watch out.
7 LSU- Remember last year's "magnificent seven?" This year LSU gets all the injured players backs adds a great recruit and becomes a very real final four threat. If Augustus signs later this month, pencil them in for Atlanta.
8 Texas- We admit the Longhorns have not been the most consistent bunch the past few years, but they were very young. This season, they have the experience and depth to win the Big 12, especially given the severe graduation loses others suffered.
9 Georgia- Last year's top notch frontcourt, led by Kara Braxton, may be the country's best this year and if one or two of those highly recruited guards comes through, this rating will be too low. McDonald and Murphy, departed, but the remaining talent will be better in the long run (or maybe short run).
10 Kansas State- Wildcats will miss Rethman and won't sneak up on anyone this year, but last year's stars are still around and this may be the best offensive team in the country.
11 North Carolina- Losing Nikki is big, but the core and some top recruits come back. Lots of the talent is young, but it is very good and with Brown as the team leader this team could scare Duke in the ACC and more than scare a few teams in the NCAA's.
12 Notre Dame- Coach McGraw may have done her best coaching job yet in leading a VERY young team to the NCAA's last year. With virtually everyone back and a year older, the Irish look for even bigger things in 02-03. Batteast is a star, Ratay is a leader and two top 25 recruits join a well coached and smart basketball team. Looks like last year was the "bottom."
13 Penn State- Losing Barnes is a blow, but the rest of the Lady Lions, led by the nation's top scorer Mazzante return. Last season, PSU learned to play much better defense and it paid of in a 23-12 mark and second place Big 10 finish. If any of a host of recruited players can step up in the paint, PSU will again be a top 20 team and a threat in the Big 10.
14 Arkansas- The Lady Backs look to have their most talented team in years with most of last year's NCAA second round bunch back, most importantly All American candidate Forward Shemeka Christon. She will be joined by three other returning starters and top post recruit Vaden to form a group capable of making lots of noise in the SEC.
15 Iowa State- Transfers hold the key for the Cyclones after the graduation of Welle, Gahan and others, but when the transfers are Nina Smith and Anne O'Neil, ISU fans have to feel pretty good. Through in a few solid veterans like Wilson, Bremer and Cofield and the Cyclones look to be in the hunt in the Big 12.
http://www.womenscollegehoops.com/earlybird02.htm
1 Tennessee- Forget the transfers, this team is still loaded and chemistry looks to be better. Kara leads the way, but she has plenty of help with Robinson, Ely, Jackson and don't forget the incoming freshmen, led by Zolman who looks likely to be the Vol fan's favorite. If Pat can keep the chemistry up to par, UT will be headed to Atlanta-for two games.
2 Duke- While Duke will still be a relatively young team, the incoming freshmen will give this team the depth it needs to go all the way. Beard and Currie are an unmatched backcourt and Tillis will lead a much better frontcourt. Rumor says Gail got offers to leave-this is why she stayed.
3 Stanford- The Cardinal are not happy with the way a very fine season ended, but with most everyone back from a 32-3 squad, look for Stanford to once again be in the hunt to win it all. Yamasaki and Enhgusen are major losses, but Powell is back as part of a talented group that should once again dominate the PAC-10.
4 Texas Tech- Thanks to the play of a host of players like Tarr and Perkins and the return of Pierson who is said to have renewed vigor to play the game, TT looks to be a final four caliber group. Add some very nice recruits and Marsha and you have a Big 12 Championship contender.
5 Purdue- The Boilers are always among the nation's elite and 02-03 will be no exception. Three returning starters and a group of talented recruits will give Coach Curry plenty to work with in defending her Big 10 title. Wright is a legitimate All American candidate and she will have lots of help on both ends of the court. If this team gels, it is final four capable.
6 Connecticut- Ho hum, a few more All Americans leave and are replaced by some future All Americans. Taurasi will get most of the spot light, but all those minutes last year for Moore, the Valleys and Battle mean the awesome freshmen will have time to mature and by February or so, watch out.
7 LSU- Remember last year's "magnificent seven?" This year LSU gets all the injured players backs adds a great recruit and becomes a very real final four threat. If Augustus signs later this month, pencil them in for Atlanta.
8 Texas- We admit the Longhorns have not been the most consistent bunch the past few years, but they were very young. This season, they have the experience and depth to win the Big 12, especially given the severe graduation loses others suffered.
9 Georgia- Last year's top notch frontcourt, led by Kara Braxton, may be the country's best this year and if one or two of those highly recruited guards comes through, this rating will be too low. McDonald and Murphy, departed, but the remaining talent will be better in the long run (or maybe short run).
10 Kansas State- Wildcats will miss Rethman and won't sneak up on anyone this year, but last year's stars are still around and this may be the best offensive team in the country.
11 North Carolina- Losing Nikki is big, but the core and some top recruits come back. Lots of the talent is young, but it is very good and with Brown as the team leader this team could scare Duke in the ACC and more than scare a few teams in the NCAA's.
12 Notre Dame- Coach McGraw may have done her best coaching job yet in leading a VERY young team to the NCAA's last year. With virtually everyone back and a year older, the Irish look for even bigger things in 02-03. Batteast is a star, Ratay is a leader and two top 25 recruits join a well coached and smart basketball team. Looks like last year was the "bottom."
13 Penn State- Losing Barnes is a blow, but the rest of the Lady Lions, led by the nation's top scorer Mazzante return. Last season, PSU learned to play much better defense and it paid of in a 23-12 mark and second place Big 10 finish. If any of a host of recruited players can step up in the paint, PSU will again be a top 20 team and a threat in the Big 10.
14 Arkansas- The Lady Backs look to have their most talented team in years with most of last year's NCAA second round bunch back, most importantly All American candidate Forward Shemeka Christon. She will be joined by three other returning starters and top post recruit Vaden to form a group capable of making lots of noise in the SEC.
15 Iowa State- Transfers hold the key for the Cyclones after the graduation of Welle, Gahan and others, but when the transfers are Nina Smith and Anne O'Neil, ISU fans have to feel pretty good. Through in a few solid veterans like Wilson, Bremer and Cofield and the Cyclones look to be in the hunt in the Big 12.
http://www.womenscollegehoops.com/earlybird02.htm