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Lady Vols lead the way

Strong returning cast vaults Tennessee to top

Posted: Friday October 14, 2005 5:01PM; Updated: Saturday October 15, 2005 10:24AM
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NCAA Basketball Power Rankings
Rank LW Team
1 -
Tennessee Lady Vols
The Lady Vols haven't forgotten about that 16-point second-half lead they blew in losing to Michigan State in the national semifinals last season. But there's no reason to think Tennessee won't return to the Final Four. The Lady Vols have the winningest coach in college basketball history (Pat Summit) and also bring back 10 players, including Candace Parker who missed last season with a knee injury.
2 -
LSU Lady Tigers
Opponents can start counting down the Tigers' days until senior Seimone Augustus, the 2004-05 National Player of the Year, graduates. Of course, they will still to contend with 6-5 sophomore center Sylvia Fowles for a while. The duo gives the Tigers a potent inside-outside combination, and Fowles' reach on defense can make life rough for foes, as she averaged 2.8 blocked shots last season.
3 -
North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels are one of the most athletic teams in the country. If they can control their energy, then they could be Final Four-bound in head coach Sylvia Hatchell's 20th season. It doesn't hurt that the defending ACC champions return four starters, including preseason Player of the Year candidates Erlana Larkins and Ivory Latta. The pair averaged 31.9 points last season while leading the Tar Heels to the Elite Eight.
4 -
Georgia Lady Bulldogs
The Bulldogs lost starter Rebecca Rowsey to a knee injury, but still have four players who started at least 28 games last season. The 6-foot-3 Tasha Humphrey, the unanimous choice for SEC Freshman of the Year in 2004-05, is one of those starters back from a team that reached the Sweet 16. The addition of 6-5 Angel Robinson, a high school All-American, gives Georgia good size in the paint.
5 -
Baylor Lady Bears
The defending national champions may have lost its point guard. The Bears may be without Steffanie Blackmon, a three-time All-Big 12 selection. And yes, Baylor said goodbye to Emily Niemann, its most accurate 3-point shooter, who transferred to UC-Santa Barbara. But 6-1 forward Sophia Young is back and is one of the most athletic players in the country. Despite earning All-America honors, Young has yet to reach her full potential, a scary thought for the Bears' opponents.
6 -
Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils are coming off their fourth straight trip to the Elite Eight. But guard/forward Monique Currie hopes to take them further. It's why Currie, an All-America who graduated last spring, gave up the chance to enter the 2005 WNBA draft. With her back, the Blue Devils return their entire starting five. That lineup includes junior Alison Bales, who at 6-7 is an inside presence and led the ACC with 3.7 blocks a game last season.
7 -
Ohio St. Buckeyes
Coach Jim Foster heads into his third season with the Buckeyes, and it should be the best yet. After reaching several milestones last season, Ohio State is looking for more. The Buckeyes won 30 games for the first time and claimed a share of the Big Ten regular season crown for the first time since 1992-93. The return Jessica Davenport is certainly reason for optimism. The 6-4 center averaged 3.4 blocks while earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors.
8 -
Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns pulled a tough draw last season, facing Georgia in the second round of the NCAA tournament. But Texas is back with what many consider one of the best freshman classes in the country. The group includes guard Erika Arriaran, whom many ranked as the top recruit. Of course, Texas has a pretty solid group to build around with guard Nina Norman and forward Tiffany Jackson, one of the country's most versatile players after averaging 18.3 points and 8.7 rebounds last season.
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