October 16, 2006
The Texas A&M women?â„¢s basketball team continues to receive preseason nods by the national media as ESPN.com and Sports Illustrated.com have the Aggies listed as one of the top programs in the country leading up to the start of the 2006-07 season.
ESPN.com has A&M ranked as a preseason No. 13 selection, while SI.com has the Aggies as a preseason No. 9 pick. SI.com?â„¢s women?â„¢s basketball ranking ties a program-best for A&M, next to a No. 9 preseason ranking by Street & Smith?â„¢s.
?Last season, the Aggies returned to the national polls for the first time in 10 years,? said ESPN analyst Nancy Lieberman of A&M?â„¢s chances in the ESPN.com preseason top 25 poll. ?They should be a permanent fixture in the rankings this season, with all five starters back from a 23-9 squad.?
A&M commenced its season on Oct. 13, during Maroon Madness festivities which drew more than 28,000 fans to Kyle Field prior to Midnight Yell Practice. The Aggies are led by junior All-American candidate Morenike Atunrase (Shreveport, La.) who is one of five returning starters to the A&M lineup. Last week, she was one of five league players named to the preseason All-Big 12 Conference Team.
?The A&M ?Wrecking Crew? used to be one of the fiercest defenses in college football,? said SI.com writer Tracy Schultz of the Aggies. ?Gary Blair has brought that mentality to the hardwood. It?â„¢s all about the defense. His team was tops in the Big 12 last season, giving up just 57.5 points a game. The Aggies?â„¢ average of 11 steals led to a lot of points, too. Not only are the Aggies quick and talented, they?â„¢re also hungry after their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1996. That experience is sure to make a difference along the way.?
Last season, A&M made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996 and led the Big 12 in scoring defense, total steals and turnover margin. They also ranked among the top four teams in scoring offense.
In the preseason polls thus far, the Aggies are ranked No. 12 by CSTV.com, No. 15 by Lindy?â„¢s Basketball Annual and No. 24 by Athlon Sports.
2006-07 ESPN.com PRESEASON TOP 25 POLL
1. Maryland
2. Oklahoma
3. Stanford
4. North Carolina
5. Ohio State
6. Duke
7. Tennessee
8. Georgia
9. Purdue
10. Connecticut
11. Kentucky
12. Cal
13. Texas A&M
14. Washington
15. USC
16. Arizona State
17. Michigan State
18. Vanderbilt
19. LSU
20. Rutgers
21. TCU
22. George Washington
23. Old Dominion
24. Bowling Green
25. Louisville
2006-07 SI.com PRESEASON WOMEN?â„¢S RANKINGS
1. Maryland
2. North Carolina
3. Oklahoma
4. Tennessee
5. Stanford
6. Duke
7. Connecticut
8. Ohio State
9. Texas A&M
10. Purdue
11. LSU
12. Arizona State
13. Kentucky
14. Rutgers
15. Texas
16. Vanderbilt