September 28, 2006
In its yearly women?â„¢s college basketball preview, Street & Smith?â„¢s College Basketball Yearbook has tabbed the Texas A&M women?â„¢s basketball team as one of the top 10 teams in the country.
The Aggies are ranked No. 9 in the publication?â„¢s preseason top 25 poll, setting yet another milestone for the women?â„¢s basketball program at A&M. It marks the program?â„¢s highest preseason national ranking and overall national ranking ever in school history.
Over the last month, A&M has been selected to preseason top 25 lists by several sports publications including a No. 15 ranking by Lindy?â„¢s Basketball Annual and a No. 24 ranking by Athlon Sports.
?When a publication or coaches poll ranks your team so highly for the upcoming year, I believe they take into consideration what we have accomplished over the last three years and building our program,? Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair said. ?We have done it with good coaching, players playing to their potential and good recruiting. Blend it in with the Aggie support and this team has tremendous potential for the upcoming season.
?We cannot wait until Midnight Madness to get our season started. I am not only happy for our team, but I am happy for all of the former Aggies who have helped build this program through the years. Especially, former Aggies who perhaps never had a chance to be ranked as high as No. 9 in the country. This is a tribute to them and what their past efforts have meant to the women?â„¢s basketball program here at Texas A&M.?
Junior All-American candidate Morenike Atunrase (Shreveport, La.) was also named an honorable mention selection by the publication. An All-Big 12 first team performer a year ago, Atunrase is one of the nation?â„¢s and conference?â„¢s top returning players. The 5-foot-10 combination guard/forward, is one-of-five returning starters from last year?â„¢s 23-9 NCAA Tournament squad.
?Morenike fits into our style that we like to run, both offensively and defensively,? Blair said. ?This kid has the potential to be an All-American. As a freshman, she was Big 12 Freshman of the Year. As a sophomore, we gave her a new role. We moved her from inside to outside and wanted her to be a creator and run the lanes and still bring us the same numbers that she brought as a freshman. She increased those numbers, developed into a first team All-Big 12 performer and averaged 14 points per game.
?Her shooting percentages went up in every category and she set the school single-season record for blocked shots (58) while playing exclusively outside. If she was a baseball player, she would play my old position, centerfield, because on defense she?â„¢s everywhere.?
Last year, A&M finished No. 20 nationally in the final Associated Press Top 25 Poll. The Aggies were ranked in the AP Poll for the final six weeks of the season.
?Our preseason national rankings are proof that we are building a national power here at Texas A&M,? Blair said. ?It?â„¢s going to get done here in Aggieland.?
The A&M women will open exhibition play against Athletes In Action on Friday, Nov. 3, in Reed Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Fans can order season tickets for the upcoming 2006-07 season by calling the ticket office at: 1-888-99-AGGIE.
2006-07 STREET & SMITH'S PRESEASON TOP 25 POLL
1. Maryland
2. North Carolina
3. Oklahoma
4. Stanford
5. Tennessee
6. Ohio State
7. Duke
8. Connecticut
9. Texas A&M
10. Georgia
11. Vanderbilt
12. Arizona State
13. LSU
14. Rutgers
15. Kentucky
16. New Mexico
17. Texas Tech
18. Old Dominion
19. DePaul
20. Virginia
21. George Washington
22. Purdue
23. Iowa State
24. Pittsburgh
25. USC