| PRESEASON TOP 10 RANKINGS |
| ROBIN SAYS |
BETH SAYS |
1. Connecticut (29-5):
It's a toss up between Connecticut and Tennessee, but UConn is a little hungrier and coach Geno Auriemma, a Philadelphia native, desperately wants to be in his hometown for the Final Four. The Huskies also have a Player of the Year candidate in Svetlana Abrosimova, but the keys to this team will be its ability to stay healthy, to find someone who will step up and be a leader and for the sophomore class to come to play. |
1. Connecticut (29-5):
Healthy Huskies could bring home the school's second hoop title in 12 months. UConn needs Sue Bird in uniform, not street clothes. Svet Abrosimova is a jump shot away from having the total package while the young Husky pups of Swin Cash, Ashja Jones and Tamika Williams have the bite to back up their bark. A much improved Big East will make sure the Huskies are battle tested by March. Oh yeah, they've got Shea Ralph, too. |
2. Tennessee (31-3):
The Lady Vols were very impressive on their European tour over the summer, and with a good incoming recruiting class, it seems the rich have gotten richer. You lose Chamique Holdsclaw and Kellie Jolly, but Tamika Catchings, the most exciting player in the women's game right now, will have a huge impact, as well as Kristen "Ace" Clement, another Philadelphia native. Ace is the one person in Tennessee's junior class who hasn't had her time in the spotlight yet, but I hear she's playing very well. Also, look for her to step into that vocal, leadership role Jolly left behind. |
2. Tennessee (31-3):
Chamique Holdsclaw and Kellie Jolly graduated and Teresa Geter transferred to South Carolina ... but the Lady Vols are still loaded. Tamika Catchings and Semeka Randall return along with post players Shalon Pillow and Michelle Snow. Pat Summitt's troops are bolstered by an outstanding recruiting class that includes point guard Kara Lawson and forward Gwen Jackson. Tennessee's NCAA Tournament record over the past four years is 21-1. |
3. Rutgers (29-6):
With Tasha Pointer and Shawnetta Stewart back, two All-Big East first-team picks in 1998-99, Rutgers' backcourt is just daunting. The Scarlet Knights also have a lot of speed and athleticism, and with C. Vivian Stringer at the helm, it seems it's just a matter of having all the pieces come together for Rutgers. This could be the year. |
3. UCLA (26-8):
Coach Kathy Olivier has to keep the core of forward Maylana Martin, guard Erica Gomez and center Janea Hubbard healthy and happy. The Bruins have all the tools to make a serious title run, and run they can, to the tune of nearly 90 points a game. The talent hasn't been questioned in the past but the teamwork has. Chemistry will be critical with five starters returning and rookie phenom Nicole Kaczmarski all calling for the ball. |
4. Georgia (27-7):
The Bulldogs, led by Kelly Miller, surprised a lot of people last season, and with all their youth, it was a bonus for them just to get to the Final Four. But whereas Georgia's perimeter game has never been a question mark, its inside presence was suspect. Coach Andy Landers took care of that, picking up Shala Crawford, a 6-4 forward from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College considered the top-ranked junior college prospect in the nation. |
4. Rutgers (29-6):
The road to the Final Four is the Jersey Turnpike for Vivian Stringer's squad. Talented and turbulent, the Scarlet Knights don't think twice about running you right out of the gym with Tasha Pointer, Shawnetta Stewart and Tammy Sutton-Brown playing in-your-face defense. Freshman guard Mauri Horton went to high school with UConn men's star Khalid El-Amin, and picked up parts of his game. |
5. UCLA (26-8):
With all five starters returning for a team that averaged more than 85 points last season, the Bruins' offense isn't a problem. Their defense, however, allowed almost as many points as the team scored, and defensively, UCLA has got to stop some people to be successful this season. Expecting another great year from seniors Maylana Martin, Erica Gomez and Janae Hubbard, and from coach Kathy Olivier, who has rebuilt this team. |
5. Georgia (27-7):
The Dawgs ride an emotional roller coaster. The acrobatic Coco and Kelly Miller can carry each other to incredible heights ... or reduce each other to tears on the court. But when they are on a roll the Dawgs will be tough to derail. Center Tawana McDonald and Juco transfer Shala Crawford provide a bulky frontcourt that could threaten the orange-clad Knoxvilleans for the SEC title. |
6. Iowa State (25-8):
Stacy Frese is the key in Ames. Frese, who shot 46.1 percent from 3-point range in 1998-99, seems to be in range as soon as she steps out of the locker room. She has a lot of poise and isn't shy about putting up her shot, which she is encouraged to do. The Cyclones also have all five starters back -- and all 12 members of last season's team, in fact -- and will look to continue to build on last season's first trip to the Sweet 16. Senior forward Desirée Francis also figures to be a factor. |
6. Louisiana Tech (30-3):
A perennial Final Four team needs to reload, but Leon Barmore has plenty of ammo that has been just waiting for a shot at playing
time. Point guard Tamicha Jackson returns along with Betty Lennox in the backcourt. Frontliner Shaka Massey should get help from improved Ayana Walker to stay near the top of the national rankings. |
7. Louisiana Tech (30-3):
By Louisiana Tech standards, this is a rebuilding year. Still, the Lady Techsters never seem to go away. Tamicha Jackson (there's no one faster running the point in the women's game than her right now) returns, as does Betty Lennox, who will keep providing that instant offense. Look for Shaka Massey to contribute more. |
7. North Carolina (28-8):
The Heels are as athletic as any team in the nation and they rely on a killer transition game to win. Guards Nikki Teasley, Juana Brown and LaQuanda Barksdale will be tough to slow down. The critical area will be the frontcourt with returnee Jackie Higgins and newcomer Jennifer Thomas needing to make an impact. |
8. North Carolina (28-8):
Nikki Teasley runs the show for the Tar Heels, and can be a first-team All-American. Juana Brown also should be expected to add to the mix. But while athleticism has never been a problem for the Tar Heels, they do need to blend together better as a team rather than play as individuals. If coach Sylvia Hatchell is able to get her team to do this, watch out. |
8. Penn State (22-8):
It's not a direct route from State College to Philadelphia for the Final Four, but the Lady Lions don't have too far to go. Coach Rene Portland has a terrific triple threat in point guard Helen Darling, shooter Lisa Shepard and post 'Dre Garner. Replacing blue-collar Clara Carter and speedy Shawnta Vanzant will be tough, so watch for three post players to occasionally be on the floor at the same time. |
9. NC State (17-12):
At 6-6, 1999 ACC Player of the Year Summer Erb (21.5 ppg, 9.9 rpg) is hard to play against. It's hard to get around her, plus she's extremely strong. Add Tynesha Lewis and a few other veterans who went to the Final Four in 1998, and you've also got a squad who knows how to reach that next level. That kind of experience doesn't go away, and those players will want to recapture it one last time before they graduate. |
9. Iowa State (25-8):
"Cyclones" is a fitting moniker for a team that relies on a relentless swirl of energy to blow away opponents. Guards Stacy Frese and Megan Taylor can shoot the lights out when they have time and space. Rebounders Angie Welle and Monica Huelman control the paint while top reserve Desirée Francis sparks off the bench. All 12 players are back from last year's Elite Eight team that eliminated Connecticut. |
10. Kansas (23-10):
Lynn Pride has a lot of experience, and gained even more while playing for the U.S. over the summer. However, even with Pride's 17.2-scoring average last season, the Jayhawks lacked a bit of a scoring punch. Enter Suzy Raymant, Kansas' top 3-point threat, who returns to the team after redshirting last season with a knee injury. |
10. Notre Dame (26-5):
The Irish have a lot more fight if point guard Niele Ivey is fully recovered from a knee injury. Ruth Riley, a 6-5 center, is disruptive in
the middle alongside forward Kelly Siemon. Danielle Green takes over as the team's top gun on the perimeter. Shooter Sheila MacMillan graduated and Sherisha Hills transferred to Florida, but South Bend is abuzz with anticipation of the arrival of freshman Alicia Ratay. |
