Syracuse women’s basketball ranked 13th in preseason Coaches Poll

Coming off the Syracuse Orange women’s basketball program’s best season in its history, it only makes sense that it would earn the best preseason ranking in school history too.

The Orange come in at 13th in the initial USA Today Coaches Poll this year.

Last year, Syracuse hung around the rankings for most of the season before catching fire in the NCAA Tournament and earning themselves a trip to the National Championship Game. They fell to the UConn Huskies there, but still finished 30-8 while exceeding all expectations on the year.

If they’re going to exceed expectations once again, it’ll be an even steeper road to climb given where they’re starting from. SU was picked fourth in the ACC at Media Day this October.

Speaking of the ACC, Syracuse is one of five programs from the conference included in the preseason rankings. Notre Dame led the way at no. 2, followed by Louisville (no. 8), Florida State (no. 12), Syracuse and Miami (no. 20). Fellow Orange opponents Michigan State and Texas A&M are also ranked, at 22nd and 23rd, respectively.

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The season begins on Friday, November 11, against Rhode Island. It should be the most festive start to a year yet for the women’s program.