Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
DALLAS, Texas – The American Athletic Conference, less than a month away from debuting its new-look league, announced the women's basketball preseason standings, ranking Wichita State 11th out of 14 teams.
The AAC preseason poll was released Monday morning to tip off day two of the conference's annual Basketball Media Day, where first-year head coach Terry Nooner and senior guard DJ McCarty are representing the Shockers in Dallas, Texas.
Fans can tune in to ESPN+ at 12:30 p.m. CT to hear from Nooner and McCarty, following Wichita State men's basketball's head coach Paul Mills and junior forward Kenny Pohto.
The Shockers return nine players from last year's 18-15 (6-10 AAC) season, with McCarty being the lone returning starter, as they welcome six newcomers, including two freshmen and four transfers. Wichita State finished eighth in The American in 2022-23 and upset top-ranked South Florida in the conference championship quarterfinal.
South Florida is picked to win the conference, receiving 10 first-place votes after making it to the round of 32 in last season's NCAA Tournament. The reigning AAC champion, East Carolina, collected four first-place votes to come in second with Rice, SMU and Memphis rounding out the top five.
The Pirate's Danae McNeal was named Preseason Player of the Year and was a unanimous preseason first team all-conference selection.
Wichita State hosts Missouri Southern State for an exhibition game on Wed., Nov. 1 before playing its official season opener against Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. on Mon, Nov. 6.
Season tickets can be purchased for as low as $45 at GoShockers.com/Tickets or by calling the Wichita State Ticket Office at 316-978-FANS (3267).
American Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll
First-place votes in parentheses
1.South Florida (10) 166
2.East Carolina (4) 159
3.Rice 135
4.SMU 118
5.Memphis115
6.Tulane 110
7.Tulsa 104
8.UTSA 75
9.Temple 72
10.Charlotte 62
11.Wichita State 53
12.North Texas 47
13.UAB 30
14.Florida Atlantic 28
Preseason Player of the Year
Danae McNeal, Gr., G, East Carolina
Preseason All-Conference First Team
Amiya Joyner, So., F, East Carolina
Danae McNeal, Gr., G, East Carolina*
Madison Griggs, Gr., G, Memphis
Sammie Puisis, Sr., G, South Florida
Temira Poindexeter, Jr., F, Tulsa
Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Dazia Lawrence, R-Jr., G, Charlotte
Aniya Hubbard, So., G, Florida Atlantic
Malia Fisher, Jr., F, Rice
Aleah Nelson, 5th, G, Temple
Jordyn Jenkins, Sr., F, UTSA
* denotes unanimous selection