The Arizona Wildcats' women's basketball team has been picked to finish second in a league considered by many to be the best in the country.
The UA checked in at No. 2 in the Pac-12's preseason media poll and tied for second in the preseason coaches' poll, both of which were released Tuesday morning. The Wildcats trail Stanford in both of them. One media member and two league coaches picked the Wildcats to finish first.
Additionally, three Wildcats β guard Aari McDonald and forwards Cate Reese and Sam Thomas β were named the league's 15-player preseason All-Pac-12 team.
In Arizona women's basketball's virtual media day, Aari McDonald talks about the importance of adding Shaina Pellington to the team and why Arizona is better than last season. Newcomer Derin Erdogan discusses adjusting to life in Tucson.
A sure-fire NCAA Tournament selection last year before the pandemic wiped out the postseason, Arizona is ranked No. 7 to start the 2020-21 season. The team returns McDonald, Reese and Thomas. Add in transfers Shaina Pellington and Trinity Baptiste and newcomer Lauren Ware, among others, and the Wildcats are as deep and talented as any team in program history.
In Arizona women's basketball's virtual media day, Adia Barnes talks about her unique recruiting style, what to make of Arizona's No. 7 AP poll ranking and her expectations for a talented UA roster.
The UA can open its season as soon as Nov. 25, but because of the COVID-19-related cancellations, is currently looking for two nonconference opponents. The team will open Pac-12 play on Dec. 4 against UCLA, with USC visiting Tucson two days later.
Here's a look at the conference's polls:
2020-21 preseason media poll
Rank/Team (first-place votes)
1. Stanford (19)
2. Arizona (1)
3. Oregon
4. UCLA
5. Oregon State (1)
6. Arizona State
7. USC
8. Utah
9. Cal
10. Colorado
11. Washington
12. Washington State
2020-21 preseason coaches' poll
1. Stanford (10)
2(tie) Arizona (2)
2(tie). Oregon
4. UCLA
5. Oregon State
6. USC
7. Arizona State
8. Utah
9. Colorado
10. Cal
11. Washington
12. Washington State
UA coach Adia Barnes and players will take part in the Pac-12 preseason Zoom call later today. Check back for more.
