WSU women’s basketball projected to finish sixth in AAC preseason poll

Sean Marty, Sports Editor|October 28, 2020

Wichita State head coach Keitha Adams calls a play during the game against Southern Methodist at Charles Koch Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020.

The American Athletic Conference released its preseason poll on Wednesday and ranked Wichita State sixth out of 11 teams. Last season, the Shockers were picked to finish ninth in the conference.

In the 2019-20, the Shockers finished the season with a record of 16-15 and seventh place in the AAC. This year, WSU returns eight players from a season ago including Mariah McCully who finished third-team All-AAC last year.

Unlike in recent years, this team features eight upperclassmen on the roster with McCully being the lone senior on the roster. Despite losing three seniors from last year’s team, the Shockers have two more upperclassmen than a year ago.

In the poll, South Florida was selected as the conference favorite, receiving eight of the 11 first-place votes. UConn, the typical conference favorite, departed the AAC for the Big East this summer.

McCully was the lone Shocker to be selected on either of the All-Conference team and was selected onto the second team. Last season, the Shockers had no players on either team.

Full Preseason Poll

1. South Florida (8) 98

2. Central Florida (1) 79

3. Tulane 78

4. Cincinnati (2) 73

5. Temple 57

6. Wichita State 54

7. Houston 49

8. Memphis 40

9. East Carolina 36

10. SMU 31

11. Tulsa