South Dakota, South Dakota State Both in ESPNW Preseason Mid-Major Top 10
With the 2019-20 season just days away, both South Dakota and South Dakota State have once again taken their places among the best mid-major programs in women's college basketball.
The Coyotes and Jackrabbits each have spots in the ESPNW Preseason Mid-Major Top 10.
South Dakota, the preseason favorites to win the Summit League regular-season title, is second in the poll. USD returns most of the players that won 28 games last season and qualified for an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. They are led by Summit League preseason player of the year Ciara Duffy, who is entering her senior season. Junior center Hannah Sjerven is also on the all-conference preseason first team.
South Dakota State is tied with Missouri State for tenth in the ESPNW poll. SDSU also won 28 games last season, including the Summit League Tournament championship and a pair of wins in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 round for the first time in school history. This year's team is trying to replace both Macy Miller and Madison Guebert, who graduated in May.
Senior forward Tagyn Larson and junior forward Myah Selland, both Summit League preseason all-conference first-teamers, lead this year's team.
Drake is the number-one team in the ESPNW poll and both SDSU and USD face the Bulldogs early in the season.
The Jackrabbits open the regular season in Des Moines, November 8, while the Coyotes host Drake, November 13.
ESPN W Preseason Mid-Major Top 10
- Drake
- South Dakota
- Rice
- Gonzaga
- Ohio
- Boise State
- Florida Gulf Coast
- Princeton
- Marist
- South Dakota State, Missouri State