Five Pac-12 women’s basketball teams ranked in AP Poll

SAN FRANCISCO - For the third-straight year and the fourth time ever, five Pac-12 women’s basketball teams are ranked in the Associated Press’ Preseason Poll, which was announced today. In addition, for the first time ever, three Pac-12 teams are ranked among the top 10, the most of any conference in the country.

Defending Pac-12 Champion OREGON earns its highest-ever preseason ranking in the writers’ poll, leading Pac-12 teams at No. 3. STANFORD makes its 19th-consecutive appearance in the polling, receiving a No. 7 ranking. OREGON STATE is right behind the Cardinal at No. 8, also the Beavs’ highest-ever preseason rating. The top-10 preseason rankings gives the Pac-12 at least one since 2006, as only four times ever has the Conference not had a top-10 preseason team.

ARIZONA STATE and CALIFORNIA also appear in the top 25, the Sun Devils coming in at No. 23 and the Golden Bears at No. 24. It is the second-straight year the Bears are in the poll and the third time in four years ASU is in the preseason poll. UCLA is receiving votes.

Pac-12 women’s basketball is in the midst of its most successful run of seasons, boasting the most NCAA Tournament wins of any conference over the last three years (41) and the best winning percentage in the tournament among peer leagues (.695). The Pac-12 earned six NCAA Tournament bids in 2017-18, marking the fifth-consecutive year at least five teams have received berths. Three teams made the NCAA Elite Eight last year, also marking the third-straight year at least four teams have made it to the round of 16. The Pac-12 is the only conference to have three teams in the NCAA Elite Eight the last three tournaments.

The 2018-19 regular season is just one week away, officially tipping of on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament is moving to Las Vegas to the MGM Grand Garden Arena, March 7-10.

AP PRESEASON POLL

Others receiving votes: Minnesota 38, West Virginia 35, UCLA 29, Cent. Michigan 24, Nebraska 13, Florida State 12, Michigan 9, Boise State 4, Buffalo 3, Belmont 2, Virginia 2, Virginia Tech 2, Drake 1, Duquesne 1, Green Bay 1, TCU 1.