LAS VEGAS — Arizona was picked to finish seventh in the Pac-12 this season in both the conference's coaches and media polls released Tuesday before its women's basketball media day.
Utah was picked to win the Pac-12 in both polls in the final season as currently constructed, while UCLA and Stanford also received first-place votes in both polls.
Arizona coach Adia Barnes said she thought the Wildcats would finish higher than seventh — "but that's fine, I don't really care," she said — likely because the Wildcats are expected to rely heavily on young players.
The Pac-12's highest-rated teams all have significant returning talent, while Barnes described the Wildcats as having a young core led by well-regarded fifth-year seniors. She said the fact that the freshmen will play should help retain them for future seasons.
"The fact of the matter is we're going to play a lot of young players and we have some really good super seniors," Barnes said. "I love looking at the future and how I want to build. Arizona was our best when we had our core together for three years. We teach a lot and the process is longer in how I do things so I'm excited about that."
Helena Pueyo listens to her coach during drills Monday at McKale Center.
The full results of the media poll, with total points and first-place votes in parentheses:
1. Utah (12) 298
2. UCLA (10) 284
3. Stanford (5) 283
4. Colorado 220
5. Washington State 202
6. USC 199
7. Arizona 160
8. Oregon 137
9. Oregon State 121
10. Washington 107
11. California 52
12. Arizona State 40
The full results of the coaches poll, with total points and first-place votes in parentheses:
1 Utah (7) 116
2.UCLA (3) 109
3.Stanford (2) 100
4. Colorado 90
5. Washington State 84
6. USC 70
7. Arizona 51
8. Oregon 49
9. Washington 46
10. Oregon State 43
11. California 22
12. Arizona State 12
VIDEO: Arizona Women's Basketball Press Conference - Adia Barnes (Oct. 2, 2023) (Arizona Athletics YouTube)
