Oct. 28, 2004
NEWARK, N.J. – The Notre Dame women’s basketball team has been chosen to finish second in the BIG EAST Conference in 2004-05, according to a preseason vote of the league’s head coaches, who were not permitted to place their own teams on the ballot. The Irish picked up 105 points and two first-place votes, putting them solidly in the second position behind three-time defending national champion Connecticut. The preseason coaches’ poll was unveiled Thursday at BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Media Day, which was held at the Liberty Airport Hilton in Newark, N.J.
Notre Dame finished tied for second place in the BIG EAST last season, posting a 12-4 record in league play. It marked the eighth time in their nine-year conference affiliation that the Irish had wound up either first or second in the final BIG EAST standings. Notre Dame finished 21-11 overall last season, advancing to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the sixth time in the past eight years (and second consecutive season). The Irish return four of five starters from that club, including senior All-America forward Jacqueline Batteast (South Bend, Ind./Washington HS), the 2004-05 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year, and junior guard Megan Duffy (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne HS), who is a second-team preseason all-conference choice this year.
Notre Dame, a consensus top-15 selection in national preseason publications, will hold an open practice and autograph session for the general public at the Joyce Center Saturday from 1-2 p.m. (EST). The Irish will tip off their 2004-05 season next Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. (EST) against Premier Sports, also at the Joyce Center.
2004-05 BIG EAST WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL
1. Connecticut (10) 120
2. NOTRE DAME (2) 105
3. Boston College 97
4. Rutgers 96
5. Villanova 86
6. West Virginia 68
7. Seton Hall 58
8. St. John’s 43
9. Syracuse 42
10. Georgetown 39
11. Pittsburgh 27
12. Providence 11
— ND —