UCLA had two senior starters but they'll return everyone else. And they have a solid recruiting class (top 10 but they do also have a pretty good transfer from Baylor).

I think I'd put Oregon #1 in the preseason polls next year with Ionescu coming back. A lot of the elite teams lose a lot of standout seniors so it's tough to know who to put after that. If Cox comes back healthy, you might have to put Baylor #2 even though they lose two really good seniors (Cox apparently has a median MCL team which won't require surgery?). I'd personally put A&M ahead of UCLA just because the Pac-12 is so tough from top to bottom (I'm wondering if the SEC will be down because Mississippi State loses their 6-7 senior).

https://theathletic.com/916379/2019/04/1...ll-top-10/

They agree with me - although now the rumor is Baylor is going to get a big time transfer from South Carolina and if that happens, I'd put them #1 and Oregon #2.

Can someone post the top 10 from this link? I only see the top 5 (Oregon, Baylor, Stanford, Texas A&M, UConn)

On a Rice note, I saw Nancy Mulkey had successful surgery a few days ago to remove the 'bionic' elements in her wrist (as she put it) that she had to play with this past season after getting hurt in the fall. I don't think it affected her play but imagine how good she will be next year if completely healthy?

(04-13-2019 06:15 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  https://theathletic.com/916379/2019/04/1...ll-top-10/

They agree with me - although now the rumor is Baylor is going to get a big time transfer from South Carolina and if that happens, I'd put them #1 and Oregon #2.

Can someone post the top 10 from this link? I only see the top 5 (Oregon, Baylor, Stanford, Texas A&M, UConn)

On a Rice note, I saw Nancy Mulkey had successful surgery a few days ago to remove the 'bionic' elements in her wrist (as she put it) that she had to play with this past season after getting hurt in the fall. I don't think it affected her play but imagine how good she will be next year if completely healthy?

It definitely adversely effected her rebounding.

(04-13-2019 06:15 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  https://theathletic.com/916379/2019/04/1...ll-top-10/

Can someone post the top 10 from this link? I only see the top 5 (Oregon, Baylor, Stanford, Texas A&M, UConn)

1. Oregon
2. Baylor
3. Stanford
4. Texas A&M
5. UConn
6. Maryland
7. Oregon State
8. South Carolina
9. UCLA
10. Notre Dame

We will be playing two top 10 ten teams at home, A&M and UCLA. Maybe we should have reserve seating for those games.

Sports Illustrated's early Top 10.

Quote:6. TEXAS A&M
Two words: Chennedy Carter. No one player can change the entire atmosphere of a game, but it doesn’t seem like anyone’s bothered telling Carter that. She’s an unabashed gunner and showwoman who requires your full attention whenever the ball is in her hands. The sneers, the ridiculous pull-ups, the outrageous amount of sauce dripping from her at all times? Yeah, we get another season of that. She averaged 30.7 points during last year’s NCAA tournament, if you’re wondering what someone of her caliber does when the lights are on. And dropping 35 points and getting all in Marina Mabrey’s grill about it during the Aggies’ loss to the Fighting Irish is part of the charm. With just about everyone returning to College Station for another ride, this could be a very fun year for Texas A&M.

10. UCLA
Remember when last year was supposed to be a “rebuilding season” for the Bruins? Neither do they. A slow start to the season gave way to a torrid run to end the season and a trip to the Sweet 16, where they competed dutifully with UConn before being knocked out. The team lost Kennedy Burke but returns top scorer Michaela Onyenwere and standout Japreece Dean. The Pac-12 isn’t getting any easier for teams not named Oregon, Oregon State and Stanford, but the Bruins could make some noise and cause a few headaches for those perceived to be ahead of them. Onyenwere proved how much of a problem she can be in the NCAA tournament last year; look for her to show out again.

https://www.si.com/college-basketball/20...d-maryland

(04-17-2019 01:00 PM)dragon2owl Wrote:  Sports Illustrated's early Top 10.

Quote:6. TEXAS A&M
Two words: Chennedy Carter. No one player can change the entire atmosphere of a game, but it doesn’t seem like anyone’s bothered telling Carter that. She’s an unabashed gunner and showwoman who requires your full attention whenever the ball is in her hands. The sneers, the ridiculous pull-ups, the outrageous amount of sauce dripping from her at all times? Yeah, we get another season of that. She averaged 30.7 points during last year’s NCAA tournament, if you’re wondering what someone of her caliber does when the lights are on. And dropping 35 points and getting all in Marina Mabrey’s grill about it during the Aggies’ loss to the Fighting Irish is part of the charm. With just about everyone returning to College Station for another ride, this could be a very fun year for Texas A&M.

10. UCLA
Remember when last year was supposed to be a “rebuilding season” for the Bruins? Neither do they. A slow start to the season gave way to a torrid run to end the season and a trip to the Sweet 16, where they competed dutifully with UConn before being knocked out. The team lost Kennedy Burke but returns top scorer Michaela Onyenwere and standout Japreece Dean. The Pac-12 isn’t getting any easier for teams not named Oregon, Oregon State and Stanford, but the Bruins could make some noise and cause a few headaches for those perceived to be ahead of them. Onyenwere proved how much of a problem she can be in the NCAA tournament last year; look for her to show out again.

https://www.si.com/college-basketball/20...d-maryland

Not sure why they refer to it as "last year's " NCAA as opposed to last seasons.

ESPN's early top 25:
1. Oregon
2. Baylor
3. Stanford
4. Maryland
5. A&M
6. Oregon
7. UConn
8. Mississippi State
9. South Carolina
10. Syracuse
11. Florida State
12. Kentucky
13. Michigan State
14. Lousiville
15. Texas
16. UCLA
17. Notre Dame
18. Minnesota
19. Arizona State
20. DePaul
21. Michigan
22. Arkansas
23. West Virginia
24. Tennessee
25. NC State

Also considered: Indiana, Rice, Miami, BYU, Auburn




http://www.espn.com/womens-college-baske...25-2019-20

(04-22-2019 09:36 AM)dragon2owl Wrote:  ESPN's early top 25:
1. Oregon
2. Baylor
3. Stanford
4. Maryland
5. A&M
6. Oregon
7. UConn
8. Mississippi State
9. South Carolina
10. Syracuse
11. Florida State
12. Kentucky
13. Michigan State
14. Lousiville
15. Texas
16. UCLA
17. Notre Dame
18. Minnessota
19. Arizona State
20. DePaul
21. Michigan
22. Arkansas
23. West Virginia
24. Tennessee
25. NC State

Also considered: Indiana, Rice, Miami, BYU, Auburn




http://www.espn.com/womens-college-baske...25-2019-20

Looking through that ESPN article, it would have been nice to be on the list (and we probably should be). But it's pretty typical power five (or six) conference bias. Depaul in particular seems to be a real reach at #20. The good news is if we play Texas A&M and UCLA, we can quickly become an established top-25 team. Hopefully we can play a Big 12 team or two as well in the preseason. If teams want to prepare for Baylor's height, playing Rice (and Nancy Mulkey) would be a good test.

We need to win those games though. Early wins against A&M and UCLA will really bolster our reputation and rankings next year.

(04-22-2019 10:53 AM)owl95 Wrote:  We need to win those games though. Early wins against A&M and UCLA will really bolster our reputation and rankings next year.

One out of two would be a good start, 2 of 2 would really get people's attention

I am going to hold my breath until I see a schedule that shows both coming to Tudor to play us. Toyota Center or some other location doesn’t count.

(04-22-2019 12:58 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  I am going to hold my breath until I see a schedule that shows both coming to Tudor to play us. Toyota Center or some other location doesn’t count.

+1