Current:Home > MarketsKansas isn't ranked in preseason women's college basketball poll. Who else got snubbed?-LoTradeCoin
Kansas isn't ranked in preseason women's college basketball poll. Who else got snubbed?
View Date:2024-12-23 23:37:53
Preseason polls are, at best, a crapshoot.
After the Top 10, it’s mostly a guessing game, especially the deeper you get into the poll. That being said, there are always a few teams that feel snubbed for being left out of the conversation. Some of them have a strong argument to be included, and all of them will use the slight as motivation going into the season (even if they claim otherwise).
The truth is, the transfer portal has scrambled rosters so much, it’s hard to know how teams will jell until we get midway through the season.
But in the meantime, it’s fun to speculate (and complain) about how preseason polls are ordered. With that in mind, here are five teams that got left out of the USA TODAY Sports preseason women’s basketball poll. Each team can and should make noise this season — don’t be surprised if they do something special come tournament time.
Gonzaga
Great news for the Zags, arguably the best mid-major program in the country: the Truong twins, Kayleigh and Kaylynne, are back and expected to be healthy. Kayleigh played just 10 games last season after badly injuring her right foot, while Kaylynne was the 2023 WCC Player of the Year. GU also returns All-WCC forward Yvonne Ejim, who led the team with 16.8 points and 8.4 rebounds last season.
TOP 25:LSU voted No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports women's college basketball preseason poll
Illinois
All five starters return to a team responsible for one of the most impressive turnarounds in women’s college hoops: After winning just seven games in the 2021-22 season, Illinois totaled 22 wins last season and earned a berth to the NCAA tournament, losing in the first round to Mississippi State. Four players averaged double-digits last year, led by Makira Cook (18.3 points). NC State transfer Camille Hobby (8.8 points, 4.2 rebounds at NC State) will give Illinois even more firepower.
Kansas
Where’s the love for the 2023 WNIT champs? The Jayhawks return four of five starters from last season, including their two leading scorers, led by WNIT MVP Taiyanna Jackson (15.2 ppg, 12.7 rpg). Zakiyah Franklin (15.7 points, team-best 113 assists) and Holly Kersgieter (13.8 points, 66 steals) will help KU contend for the Big 12 title.
Kansas State
The one reason opposing teams should be wary of the Wildcats: Ayoka Lee. The 6-foot-6 center, who averaged a double-double (22.0 points, 10.3 rebounds) as a junior, is back after sitting out last season following knee surgery. K-State has a terrific inside-outside threat with Lee in the paint and guard Gabby Gregory (18.5 points) roaming the perimeter.
Washington State
The 2023-24 season could be even better for the Cougars, who now have NCAA tournament experience. Charlisse Leger-Walker returns (17.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists per game) -- a nightmare for anyone to defend. Senior forward Bella Murekatete, from Rwanda, is a force inside and averaged 13.8 points, 7.0 rebounds last season while shooting 49.1% from the field.
veryGood! (472)
Related
- Patricia Heaton criticizes media, 'extremists' she says 'fear-mongered' in 2024 election
- Horoscopes Today, November 9, 2023
- Sasha Skochilenko, Russian artist who protested war in Ukraine, faces possible 8-year prison sentence
- These are the best days of the year to shop for holiday deals on electronics
- The Best Gifts for Men – That He Won’t Want to Return
- Alanis Morissette and Joan Jett are going on tour: How to get your tickets
- Manny Machado digs in at groundbreaking for San Diego FC’s training complex and academy
- Justice Department asks to join lawsuits over abortion travel
- Wisconsin authorities believe kayaker staged his disappearance and fled to Europe
- Are the Oakland Athletics moving to Las Vegas? What to know before MLB owners vote
Ranking
- See Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's Winning NFL Outing With Kids Zuma and Apollo
- Chase on Texas border that killed 8 puts high-speed pursuits in spotlight again
- Foreman runs for TD, Bears beat Panthers 16-13 to boost their shot at the top pick in the draft
- NASA, SpaceX launch: Watch live as Falcon 9 rocket lifts off to ISS from Florida
- Brian Austin Green Shares Message to Sharna Burgess Amid Ex Megan Fox's Baby News
- How Travis Barker Is Already Bonding With His and Kourtney Kardashian's Baby Boy
- AP Week in Pictures: Asia
- Baltimore police shooting prompts criticism of specialized gun squads
Recommendation
-
2025 Medicare Part B premium increase outpaces both Social Security COLA and inflation
-
Tracy Chapman wins CMA award for Fast Car 35 years after it was released with Luke Combs cover
-
UVM honors retired US Sen. Patrick Leahy with renamed building, new rural program
-
Oakland A’s fans are sending MLB owners ‘Stay In Oakland’ boxes as Las Vegas vote nears
-
Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger welcome their first son together
-
Escapee captured after 9 days when dog bark alerted couple pleads guilty in Pennsylvania
-
Putin and top military leaders visit southern military headquarters to assess his war in Ukraine
-
Former New Mexico State players charged with sex crimes in locker-room hazing case