2011-12 Women’s Basketball Early Top 10 Preseason Poll

1. Baylor (34-3)
Starters Returning: Four
Key Players: Brittney Griner, Odyssey Sims and Destiny Williams
Synopsis: It could be argued that the Lady Bears were a year ahead of schedule in threatening for a national championship. With four returning starters and Odyssey Sims evolving even more at the point guard spot, the Lady Bears should be a Big 12 favorite and early frontrunner.   Under the leadership of Coach Kim Mulkey and with Brittney Griner in the post, the Bears should also be a dominant number one overall national seed come March in NCAA Tournament play.

2. Notre Dame (30-8)
Starters Returning: Four
Key Players: Skylar Diggins, Natalie Novosel and Devereaux Peters
Synopsis: The Irish lost a very heartbreaking contest to Texas A&M in the national championship game. However, sometimes you have to lose before winning the big prize. Coach Muffett Mcgraw brings back a loaded squad and with the leadership of Skyler Diggins and the continual growth of Natalie Novosel’s game, the Irish will have a very strong chance of returning to the Final Four in 2012.  The battle tested nature of Big East should prepare them as they will have a target on their back for sure.

3. Tennessee (34-3)
Starters Returning: Four
Key Players: Meighan Simmons, Shekinna Stricklen and Glory Johnson
Synopsis: Pat Summitt has another squad loaded with talent, so much talented that it could very well be the best in the nation. However, there is a mysterious lack of getting to the Final Four since the departure of the great Candace Parker. Look for Ariel Massingale to be an instant impact in the backcourt. This should improve Meighan Simmons game as she should not have to handle the ball as much and can lock in on scoring. The Lady Vols should make their way through the SEC to another championship and be primed for another deep NCAA Tournament run in a quest for another title in Knoxville.

4. UConn (36-2)
Starters Returning: Four
Key Players: Bria Hartley, Stefanie Dolson, Tiffany Hayes, Kelly Farris and Caroline Doty
Synopsis: While it is very difficult to replace a Maya Moore, UConn is UConn for a reason. The program is bigger and stronger than just one player. Coach Geno Auriemma welcomes in a stellar freshman class led by wing player Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, who was the WBCA national high school player of the year. A wildcard this season will be Caroline Doty and her ability to be effective from the perimeter. If she does that then UConn will be tough to handle. The legacy should continue to grow for the Lady Huskies and Coach Geno Auriemma into another 30 plus win season.

5. Stanford (33-3)
Synopsis: In Nnemkadi Oguwmike , the Cardinal have a franchise player, as she should go, barring injury, as the top pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft. Stanford pretty much has owned West Coast Women’s Basketball and with Nikki Caldwell leaving UCLA, look for Stanford to have to battle more often in Pac-12 play.  But they still should soundly win another conference championship when it’s all said and done.

6. Texas A&M (33-5)
Synopsis: Longtime Coach Gary Blair was finally rewarded for his efforts last April with a National Championship to bring back to College Station. Now, the nation will be coming after them. Replacing all-everything post player Danielle Adams and the fire and determination of Sydney Colson in the backcourt is a difficult task. However, the Aggies return plenty of help in the form of Tyra White and Sydney Carter in the backcourt to carry the load. Like all defending champions, the Aggies will be a tough out come March as there is too much leadership and toughness returning for Texas A&M.

7. Louisville 22-13
Synopsis: Shoni Schimmel at point guard and Monqiue Reid are the key components that will be driving this group of five returning starters in Louisville. A highly motivated squad is expected to take the floor come October when practice begins in earnest. The loss at Gonzaga is one that Coach Jeff Walz will have his charges prepared for as long as the returning players have a highly productive off season.

8. Duke (32-4)
Synopsis: The freshman class from last year, led by Chelsea Gray, will most definitely need to take the reins and lead a young returning basketball squad in Durham. Elizabeth Williams, a projected superstar impact freshman, will be relied on heavily to replace Krystal Thomas and create havoc down in the low blocks. The talent is immense but the youth could make things difficult early on as the Blue Devils find their chemistry and run like a fine tuned machine. Duke is definitely a team to watch come March as they should be peaking at the right time.

9. Georgetown (24-11)
Syponsis: It’s all about defense at Georgetown. Coach Williams-Flournoy has revived a great sense of purpose on the defensive end of the floor and the Hoyas have consistently been players in post-season play the last few years. Now it’s time to take it to the next level with the leadership of Sugar Rogers at the point guard position. The Big East, as usual, will be difficult but look for the Hoyas to be a top 10 squad in 2011-12, with a deep run in the NCAA Tournament very possible.

10. LSU (19-13)
Synopsis: New coach Nicki Caldwell did a masterful job in reviving a UCLA program that had been treading water for the past several years. Now back right in the heart of the ultra-competitive SEC, Caldwell’s ability to recruit and the continuity in her staff, as she brought virtually everyone from UCLA with her, should accelerate LSU’s return to the elite status in Women’s College Basketball very quickly.