Oct. 7, 2010
IRVING, Texas - The Texas A&M women's basketball team was selected to finish second in the Big 12 Conference Preseason Poll released on Thursday.
Coming off if its third Big 12 Championship and fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance, the Aggies received one first-place vote with 109 points, listed only behind preseason favorite Baylor (121).
A&M earned its highest spot in the preseason poll since the team was chosen as the preseason favorite in 2007-08. For the fifth consecutive year, the Aggies were picked among the top five teams in the league.
Oklahoma was chosen third followed by Texas in fourth, Iowa State in fifth and Kansas sixth. Nebraska, last year's regular season champion, was selected seventh, followed by Oklahoma State in eighth, Kansas State listed ninth, Texas Tech in 10th, Missouri 11th and Colorado 12th.
A&M returns three starters from its 26-8 squad, including Sydney Colson (Houston, Texas), Big 12 All-Tournament Team selection Tyra White (Kansas City, Mo.) and Adaora Elonu (Houston, Texas). The Aggies also welcome back All-America candidate, Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and All-Big 12 Second Teamer Danielle Adams (Kansas City, Mo.) and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention Sydney Carter (DeSoto, Texas).
A&M introduces three newcomers including former McDonald's High School All-American and the highest-rated player to ever sign with A&M, sophomore transfer Kelsey Bone (Houston, Texas), and the fifth-best recruiting class in the country in 6-foot-5 center and McDonald's High School All-American Karla Gilbert (College Station, Texas) and 5-foot-9 guard Kristen Grant (Arlington, Texas).
Head coaches and select student-athletes will convene in Kansas City on Oct. 20 for the annual Big 12 Women's Basketball Media Day. Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium will serve as the site of the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship March 8-9 & 11-12.
2010-11 Big 12 Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Baylor (11) 121
2. Texas A&M (1) 109
3. Oklahoma 97
4. Texas 88
5. Iowa State 85
6. Kansas 64
7. Nebraska 58
8. Oklahoma State 50
9. Kansas State 40
10. Texas Tech 39
11. Missouri 26
12. Colorado 15