Hoping our preseason rankings generate a buzz. Results are coming, folks — these are our thoughts before the first tip. It’s a tough state to rank; only Virginia as a solid No. 1 was an easy decision to come by. Luckily, we’ll have some in-state matchups to give us some data for our second set of rankings.
1. Virginia
What’s to like – Virtually everyone’s back from a 20-win team that just barely missed the NCAA cut…an anticipated leap in performance from two or three – or dare we say it, all four – members of UVa’s sensational sophomore class…The group figures to be driven by the sting of watching the NCAA bracket revealed without the Cavs being included, then discovering they were among the last four out.
Bottom line: We haven’t felt this good about a Virginia team’s prospects since Monica Wright was walking the Lawn.
Season opener: Friday at No. 7 Mississippi State, 9 p.m. (yep, those same Bulldogs, minus a few, who upset UConn at the Final Four).
2. Virginia Tech
What’s to like – Hokies return two All-ACC-caliber talents in Chanette Hicks and Regan Magarity…newcomers include the NJCAA Player of the Year (Taylor Emery) another first-team juco All-American (Alexis Jean) and one of the nation’s top 40 high school recruits (Aisha Sheppard)…A year ago in Blacksburg, depth was someone only other teams had. This time, the Hokies have some, too.
Bottom line: Now if they can just figure out ACC play….
Season opener: Friday vs. Wagner, 3:30 p.m.
3. JMU
What’s to like – The culture of winning forged by years of winning championships and making deep postseason runs…The continued development of Kamiah Smalls, last year’s CAA Freshman of the Year, and Kayla Cooper-Williams, the previous year’s CAA FOY now fully rehabbed after sitting out last season with a knee injury…The potential emergence of forward Kelly Koshuta, a former Top-40 national recruit who brings skill, scoring ability and, of course, alliteration.
Bottom line: The Dukes lost at home to Elon in the CAA tournament final last year, and at Sunday’s exhibition game, the always-interesting JMU Pep Band broke out what we’re dubbing the team’s unofficial slogan for the 2017-18 campaign – “We Want Our Nets Back.”
Season opener: Friday vs. Rutgers, 7:30 p.m.
4. Hampton
What’s to like: The Lady Pirates return six of the top eight scorers from a group that shook off injuries to four starters on an improbable run to the MEAC tournament title…Figure to be buoyed by the addition of Auburn/Minnesota transfer guard Allisha Starr, who likely arrives with a chip on her shoulder after a less-than-satisfying end to her stint with the Golden Gophers…Should continue to excel at the pesky, turnover-inducing defensive style that’s become typical Hampton – and that gives opponents fits.
Bottom line: After watching these guys swat away the injury bug and prevail last season, nothing they do will surprise us this time.
Season opener: Friday at North Carolina, 3:30 p.m.
5. Radford
What’s to like – All five starters return from a 24-9 team that won the Big South regular season and appeared set to be crowned tournament champions until a seven-point lead evaporated inside the final three minutes of the Big South final…In senior forwards Janayla White and Jayda Worthy and junior wing Destinee Walker, the Highlanders have arguably three of the five best players in the entire league…Radford ranked 10th in Division I in scoring defense last year, and there’s no reason to think this year’s Highlanders won’t be similarly stingy.
Bottom line: You know the line “Defense wins championships?” As the Highlanders can attest, the line should be amended to “Defense puts you in position to win championships.” But if Radford can be even a little more dynamic offensively this season, everything else appears to be in place.
Season opener: Sunday vs. Appalachian State, 5 p.m.
6. William and Mary
What’s to like – A strong veteran nucleus led by imposing center Abby Rendle, heady point guard Jenna Green and emerging wing Bianca Boggs… A general feeling among the Tribe that the team is supposed to win – a relatively new phenomenon in Williamsburg…William and Mary was picked to finish third in the CAA, a preseason ranking that matches the best in program history.
Bottom line: The Tribe suffered significant graduation losses, but coach Ed Swanson appears to have the program to the point where it will be competitive year-in and year-out.
Season opener: Saturday at Howard, 6 p.m.
7. Liberty
What’s to like – The Lady Flames should start reaping dividends on the extreme youth movement they endured a year ago as 88 percent of that team’s scoring is back… Returners include three Big South All-Freshman team members led by last year’s conference rookie of the year Keyen Green, who led the league in field-goal percentage, offensive rebounds and double-doubles, ranked second in rebounding and fourth in blocked shots…For the second straight year, Liberty will host the Big South tournament, an event the Lady Flames have won 16 times over the last 21 seasons.
Bottom line: The Lady Flames should easily improve on last season’s 13-17 mark, the first losing season in head coach Carey Green’s 18-year tenure.
Season opener: Friday at Old Dominion, 4 p.m. (Preseason WNIT)
8. Richmond
What’s to like – After finishing 305th among Division I teams in scoring offense, the Spiders have adopted an “Embrace the Pace” mantra that should result in a more potent – not to mention crowd-pleasing – attack…Richmond has the local angle covered with its own “Parson Project” – talented sisters and North Chesterfield natives Micaela, a senior, and Alex, a freshman. Micaela is the Spiders’ top returning scorer; Alex has caught on so quickly that head coach Michael Shafer is already touting her as the best freshman Richmond has had in years…The expectation is for continued development from sophomore Jaide Hinds-Clarke, who made the Atlantic 10’s all-rookie team last year.
Bottom line: Games figure to be a whole lot more interesting and entertaining at the Robins Center this season.
Season opener: Friday at Fairfield, 7 p.m.
9. George Mason
What’s to like – The addition of 6-5 center Natalie Butler, who dominated at Georgetown before spending the last two seasons as a cog off the bench at UConn. Her mere presence opens up a host of possibilities…An expected step forward from the members of last season’s promising freshman freshman class, a group headlined by 6-0 wing and Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team selection Jacy Bolton…Another talented crop of newcomers that includes Texas native Nicole Cardano-Hillary, who has already seized the starting point guard job.
Bottom line: It should be pointed out that as well as Butler performed for Georgetown in 2013-14, the Hoyas still limped home with an 11-21 record. So while the addition of Butler is huge, clearly several of the young Patriots will have to come through as well if Mason is to make this a season to remember.
Season opener: at No. 24 Michigan, 7 p.m. (Preseason WNIT first round)
10. Norfolk State
What’s to like – The returns of first-team All-MEAC performer Kayla Roberts, who flirted with transferring before re-upping with the Green and Gold for her final season is a bonus for these Spartans…A much-needed post presence with the addition of 6-3 forward and Virginia Tech transfer Khadedra Croker…3-point shooting courtesy of junior college transfers Kendrea Dawkins and Alexis Sparkman. Last year, Norfolk State ranked 321st in Division I in 3s per game and 326th in 3-point percentage. Dawkins and Shelton combined to make 126 triples last season; Sparkman nailed hers at a 42.6 percent clip.
Bottom line: We’ve been observing the Spartans since they left the Division II CIAA for the MEAC in 1997, and this might be the program’s best collection of legitimate Division I talent since that transition. Now all they have to do is put it together.
Season opener: Sunday at VCU, 1 p.m.
11. VCU
What’s to like: A five-player freshman class providing another infusion of talented youth – the Rams roster is comprised of 10 freshmen and sophomores, two juniors and no seniors…The ability to put five players on the floor that are threats to score, a luxury VCU coach Beth O’Boyle hasn’t had in recent years…Strong local ties among the newcomers with freshmen Taya Robinson (Huguenot) and Sydnei Archie (St. Catherine’s).
Bottom line: It may take some time, but O’Boyle believes this is the group that will lead the Rams to prominence.
Season opener: Sunday vs. Norfolk State, 1 p.m.
12. Old Dominion
What’s to like: The early impression left by new coach Nikki McCray, whose detail-oriented approach seems ideal given the scope of the rebuilding project she inherited…A final season from Hofstra transfer Kelly Loftus, a two-time All-CAA performer capable of some huge scoring nights…A general sense that the players have bought into McCray’s program and are intent on giving her everything they’ve got.
Bottom line: Lacking depth, size or significant levels of playing experience, the Lady Monarchs (yes, we still call them that) will likely be really up against it many nights. But so far, McCray seems up to the task of eventually turning the program around.
Season opener: Friday vs. Liberty, 4 p.m. (Preseason WNIT first round)
13. Longwood
What’s to like: The veteran leadership and talent of senior point guard Micaela Ellis, who dished out 15 assists against Winthrop last season and could leave campus as the school’s all-time leading assist record…A potential breakout season from senior Autumn Childress, who put in work during the offseason and appears intent on finishing her career in style…A 17-player roster – featuring nine newcomers – which could allow the Lancers to play uptempo and try to run opponents into submission.
Bottom line: The eclectic mix of talent that, if it comes together, could make the Lancers a tough out in the Big South.
Season opener: Friday at Marshall, 5 p.m.