November 5, 2009

FMU Women just miss out on Top 25 ranking

Despite returning four starters from a Sweet Sixteen squad, Francis Marion University missed out on earning a preseason national ranking by just one point as the USA Today/ESPN Division II Women's Basketball Top 25 Preseason Coaches' Poll was released this week.

Francis Marion garnered 110 points, while 25th-ranked Grand Valley State University picked up 111 points.  Michigan Technological University, 27-7 last season, recorded 12 first-place votes and occupies the top spot in the preseason ranking.

The Patriot Women were 27-5 last season and ended the year ranked 14th nationally.  FMU won its second consecutive Peach Belt Conference regular-season championship, made the program's second straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and led the nation in scoring offense for the second year in a row.

Francis Marion plays an exhibition game at Winthrop University on Saturday night at 7 p.m.  The Patriots will open their regular-season schedule on Nov. 15 at home against Converse College.

 

 

USA TODAY ESPN DIVISION II TOP 25 COACHES' POLL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Preseason Poll: November 4, 2009

Rank      Institution - First Place Votes             ‘09  Rank   ‘09 Rcd      Points
1.            Michigan Technological University (12)   8              27-7       563
2.            Franklin Pierce University (N.H.) (3)       2              29-6       552
3.            California University of Pennsylvania      4              29-5       486
4.            Delta State University (Miss.)(1)            6             30-7       483
5.            Fort Lewis College (Colo.) (2)                 9              28-3       478
6.            Minnesota State Univ., Mankato (8)       1             32-2       448
7.            Emporia State University (Kan.)             17           26-6       409
8.            University of Alaska - Anchorage            3             31-4       383
9.            Stonehill College (Mass.)                        22           22-8       370
10.          West Texas A&M University                   5             28-6       341
11.          University of Indianapolis (Ind.)             24           24-10     328
12.          University of Central Oklahoma              12           23-5       297
13.          Clayton State University (Ga.)                11           26-7       292
14.          University of California - San Diego         16           27-5       287
15.          Northern Kentucky University                10           29-3       270
16.          Seattle Pacific University (Wash.)           7              23-4       216
17.          Holy Family University (Pa.)                   NR           26-6       189
18.          Washburn University (Kan.)                   13           27-5       180
19.          Gannon University (Pa.)                         20           30-4       170
20.          Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.)               23           27-5       148
21.          Indiana University of Pennsylvania         19           26-6       143
22.          University of Tampa (Fla.)                      NR           26-6       141
23.          Hillsdale College (Mich.)                          15           27-4       139
24.          Quincy University (Ill.)                           18           27-5       120
25.          Grand Valley State University (Mich.)      NR          20-10     111

Others Receiving Votes: Francis Marion University (S.C.) - 110; Valdosta State University (Ga.) - 75; Shaw University (N.C.) - 63; Drury University (Mo.) - 56; Philadelphia University (Pa.) - 47; Bentley University (Mass.) - 41; Tusculum College (Tenn.) - 40; Fort Valley State University (Ga.) - 37; Lander University (S.C.) - 36; Ouachita Baptist University (Ark.) - 32; University of District of Columbia - 32; Millersville University of Pennsylvania - 31; Johnson C. Smith University (N.C.) - 26; Northwood University (Mich.) - 24; Concordia University, St. Paul (Minn.) - 22; American International College (Mass.) - 21; Augustana College (Ill.) - 21; Columbus State University (Ga.) - 19; Rollins College (Fla.) - 18; West Liberty State College (W. Va.) - 18; University of the Incarnate Word (Texas) - 16; Arkansas Tech University - 15; Georgia College & State University - 14; University of Arkansas- Monticello - 12; Barton College (N.C.) - 10; Carson-Newman College (Tenn.) - 7; University of New Haven (Conn.) - 7; University of South Carolina - Aiken 7; University of Wisconsin - Parkside - 6; Fairmont State University (W. Va.) - 5; Winona State University (Minn.) - 5; Dowling College (N.Y.) - 4; University of West Georgia - 4; Pittsburg State University (Kan.) - 3; Queens College (N.Y.) - 3; Seton Hill University (Pa.) - 3; Virginia State University - 3; California State Polytechnic University - Pomona - 2; Molloy College (N.Y.) - 2; Nova Southeastern University (Fla.) - 2; Wingate University (N.C.) - 2; Abilene Christian University (Texas) - 1; Bowie State University (Md.) - 1; Lewis University (Ill.) - 1; Minnesota State University, Moorhead - 1; Saint Mary's University (Texas) - 1.