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UConn tops first Associated Press poll
Posted: Tuesday November 06, 2001 11:22 AM

Point guard Sue Bird returns to lead the Huskies' attack. Andy Lyons/Allsport
NEW YORK (AP) -- Connecticut, still brimming with talent even after losing three key players, was an overwhelming choice as the No. 1 team Tuesday in The Associated Press preseason women's basketball poll.

It was nothing new for the Huskies. This will be the third straight season that has started with Connecticut leading the poll and the fourth since 1995.

"I'm sure that our performance in the NCAA tournament had a lot to do with this, but this is a different season and different circumstances," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said.

"I don't think it's as clear cut going into the season as to who the favorite should be this year. I'm sure there are plenty of other schools who feel they deserve to be number one."

Connecticut no longer has All-Americans Shea Ralph and Svetlana Abrosimova, and center Kelly Schumacher also is gone. But the Huskies learned to play without Ralph and Abrosimova after they were injured last season and UConn still made it to the Final Four.

Point guard Sue Bird is back to run the offense and she'll have plenty of options on the floor with Swin Cash, Tamika Williams, Asjha Jones and Diana Taurasi, who played fearlessly as a freshman last season.

"We've got as good a first five as anyone in the country," Auriemma said.

Williams is not playing at the moment because of a condition that causes pain and numbness in her left arm. It's not known when she'll return.

Connecticut received 31 of 45 first-place votes from a national media panel and had 1,102 points. Tennessee, which has been No. 1 in the preseason poll three times, was second with five first-place votes and 1,032 points.

The Lady Vols' big three of Tamika Catchings, Semeka Randall and Kristen Clement have moved on, but coach Pat Summitt still has veterans Michelle Snow, Kara Lawson and Gwen Jackson and a freshman class headed by national player of the year Shyra Ely.

Three teams split the remaining first-place votes. No. 3 Vanderbilt received six, No. 4 Oklahoma had two and No. 5 Duke got one. Vanderbilt finished nine points behind Tennessee.

Louisiana Tech was sixth, followed by Texas Tech, Iowa State, Stanford and North Carolina State. Stanford was the only team in the Top 10 that was not in the final poll last season.

Purdue, the national runner-up last season, was voted into the No. 11 spot. Then it was Colorado, Florida, Baylor and defending NCAA champion Notre Dame, followed by Georgia, Michigan, Old Dominion, Washington and George Washington.

Penn State, Arizona State, Maryland, Colorado State and Utah held the final five spots.

The No. 15 ranking for Notre Dame was the second lowest in the preseason poll for the defending champion. Purdue started at No. 23 after winning the 1999 title.

Notre Dame lost national player of the year Ruth Riley, plus starters Niele Ivey and Kelley Siemon.

Other members of the Top 25 that did not appear in the final poll last season were Michigan, Old Dominion, Washington, George Washington, Maryland and Colorado State.

Maryland made the poll for first time since Jan. 4, 1994. Colorado State last appeared in the 1998-99 season