IU women’s basketball garnered more national attention Tuesday when the preseason AP poll was released with the Hoosiers checking in at No. 23, the first preseason ranking in program history.
Expectations are high for a team that returns all five starters from an NCAA Tournament run last season.
Last week, IU was picked to finish third in the Big Ten by both coaches and media, with junior guard Tyra Buss chosen as preseason first team All-Big Ten.
The Hoosiers are ranked for just the fourth time ever since poll records have been kept, which began in the 1992-93 season. In the preseason coaches poll released last week, IU received the second most votes of teams outside the top 25.
Notre Dame sits atop the preseason AP rankings, with fellow Big Ten members Maryland and Ohio State checking in at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively.
IU will play its first and only exhibition game 2 p.m. Sunday against the University of Indianapolis at home. The Hoosiers’ first official game will also be at home against Presbyterian at 7 p.m. Nov. 11.
Jake Thomer
