BOULDER ? Colorado was picked to finish seventh in the 2004-05 Big 12 Conference women's basketball race according to the annual coaches preseason poll released by the conference office Wednesday.
The Buffaloes, who return six players from their 2003-04 squad that advanced to the program's 12th NCAA Tournament, received 59 total votes.
“I am excited about our team this year,” CU head coach Ceal Barry said. “I think we are usually underestimated, so being picked seventh is not a surprise to me.”
Colorado was picked fifth in both the 2003-04 and 2002-03 preseason polls only to achieve a higher standing by the end of the season. CU enjoyed a third-place finish last season and a fourth-place showing in 2002-03. The Buffs have not finished lower than fourth in the Big 12 standings since the 1999-2000 season.
Texas was picked by the coaches to win its third consecutive Big 12 title this season. The Longhorns, who won the championship outright in 2003 and shared the title with Kansas State in 2004, received 11 of 12 first-place votes (coaches were not allowed to vote for own team) and totaled 121 points. Baylor was picked second with 107 points. Both Texas and Baylor advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 last year. Kansas State received the other first place vote and finished third in the poll with 99 points followed by Texas Tech in fourth, Oklahoma fifth and Iowa State in sixth.
After Colorado, Missouri was eighth, Nebraska ninth, Texas A&M 10th, Kansas 11th and Oklahoma State 12th.
Colorado, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas Tech joined Texas and Baylor in the 2004 NCAA Tournament while Iowa State and Nebraska competed in the WNIT, giving the Big 12 nine postseason teams.
The Big 12 Preseason Team will be released on Tuesday, Oct. 26. The annual Big 12 Basketball Media Days will be conducted Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 27 and 28, in Kansas City.
2004-05 Big 12 Conference Women's Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Texas (11) 121
2. Baylor 107
3. Kansas State (1) 99
4. Texas Tech 92
5. Oklahoma 84
6. Iowa State 68
7. Colorado 59
8. Missouri 45
9. Nebraska 43
10. Texas A&M 35
11. Kansas 24
12. Oklahoma State 15
(first place votes in parentheses; coaches not allowed to vote for their own team)
