University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Ranked No. 18 in USA Today Coaches Poll

Sooners Ranked No. 18 in USA Today Coaches Poll

October 27, 2016 | Women's Basketball

By: Tyler Pigg

NORMAN – The Oklahoma women's basketball team enters the 2016-17 season ranked No. 18 in the preseason USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll, which was released Thursday.

The Sooners are one of four Big 12 teams that appear in the top 25. Fellow league foes Baylor (No. 4), Texas (No. 6) and West Virginia (No.25) are ranked inside the top 25 to begin the year. Oklahoma State also received votes in the preseason poll.

The ranking marks the 16th all-time appearance for the Sooners in the preseason coaches poll under head coach Sherri Coale. OU was also tabbed No. 18 to begin the 2015-16 season.

The Sooners return four starters and 12 letterwinners from last year's squad that finished with a 22-11 overall record, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 2016 All-Big 12 Preseason honorable mention selections Peyton Little and Vionise Pierre-Louis lead an experienced squad into the 2016-17 season.

Connecticut was selected No. 1 in the preseason poll followed by Notre Dame, South Carolina, Baylor and Maryland. Ohio State, Texas, Louisville, UCLA and Stanford round out the top 10.

Five of OU's non-conference opponents are ranked or receiving votes in the preseason poll: BYU (RV), California (RV), Colorado State (RV), Kentucky (No. 19) and South Dakota State (RV).

The Sooners start their season on Nov. 2 with an exhibition matchup against Midwestern State at Lloyd Noble Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT. OU's regular-season opener is set for Nov. 13 at 12:30 p.m. versus Southern Illinois.

Fans can purchase season tickets by calling (800) 456-4668 or by clicking here.

For more information on Oklahoma women's basketball, follow the Sooners on Twitter (@OU_WBBall) or like Oklahoma Sooners Women's Basketball on Facebook.

RankTeamRecordPoints
1. Connecticut (18) 38-0 755
2. Notre Dame (8) 33-2 739
3. South Carolina (3) 33-2 712
4. Baylor (2) 36-2 709
5. Maryland 31-4 603
T6. Ohio State 26-8 594
T6. Texas (1) 31-5 594
8. Louisville 26-8 586
9. UCLA 26-9 481
10. Stanford 27-8 467
11. Mississippi State 28-8 446
12. Florida State 25-8 431
13. Syracuse 30-8 394
14. Tennessee 22-14 360
15. Washington 26-11 352
16. Arizona State 26-7 321
17. Oregon State 32-5 255
18. Oklahoma 22-11 235
19. Kentucky 25-8 227
20. Miami (Fla.) 24-9 179
21. DePaul 27-9 173
22. Michigan State 25-9 167
23. Texas A&M 22-10 123
24. Florida 22-9 101
25. West Virginia 25-10 76

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Players Mentioned

10

Peyton Little

G
/ Women's Basketball
0

Vionise Pierre-Louis

C
/ Women's Basketball

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