Oct. 27, 2005
NEW YORK – The Notre Dame women’s basketball team has been picked third in the 2005-06 BIG EAST Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, the league announced Thursday at its annual media day in New York. Senior guard Megan Duffy (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne HS) was one of 12 players voted to the preseason all-BIG EAST team, and Duffy joined Irish head coach Muffet McGraw for Thursday’s media event, which had a new location this year at the ESPN Zone in Times Square.
“I’m comfortable with where we were picked, especially when you consider the losses of Jackie (Batteast) and Teresa (Borton),” McGraw said. “It’s a sign of respect from the other conference coaches that were placed as high as we were. Of course, what matters most is where you end up in March and that’s where our focus is.
“I’m also very proud of Megan’s selection to the preseason all-conference team,” McGraw continued. “It’s a well-deserved award for someone who is one of the best leaders I’ve ever coached. She’s going to have an even greater leadership responsibility for us this season, but she’s prepared for it and will do all she can to make this team the best it can be.”
Notre Dame earned 191 points in the preseason balloting by the coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own team or players. Rutgers was the top choice with 11 of 16 first-place votes and 221 total points, edging out Connecticut, which garnered the remaining five first-place votes and 215 points.
Rutgers senior guard Cappie Pondexter was named the 2005-06 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year, while the Scarlet Knights’ freshman center, Kia Vaughn, was selected as the BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year.
One of three returning first-team all-BIG EAST picks from a year ago, Duffy averaged 12.3 points per game, while pacing all BIG EAST returnees in assists (5.39 apg.), steals (2.73 spg., led league) and free throw percentage (school-record .895, fourth in NCAA). She also ranks fourth among BIG EAST veterans with a 1.73 assist/turnover ratio and seventh in three-point field goals per game (1.52).
Duffy already has been named to the ’05-06 preseason watch lists for the State Farm Wade Trophy and John R. Wooden Women’s Award, both of which are presented to the nation’s top women’s college basketball player. In addition, she is a prime candidate for the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (top senior player 5-8 and under) and the Nancy Lieberman Award (top point guard). Furthermore, three media outlets tabbed the two-time Irish captain as a preseason All-American — Women’s Basketball News Service (first team), Street & Smith’s (“Terrific 10”) and Lindy’s College Basketball Annual (third team).
“I’m honored to have been included with so many great players on this year’s preseason all-BIG EAST team,” Duffy said. “The fact that it’s a team chosen by the other coaches around the conference makes it even more special. However, I’m just concentrating on doing all I possibly can to get better and help my teammates get better, and make us a competitive basketball team when the season starts next week.”
Notre Dame will tip off its 2005-06 season Tuesday at 7 p.m. (ET) when it plays host to Indianapolis in an exhibition game at the Joyce Center.
— ND —
2005-06 BIG EAST Conference Preseason Coaches Poll
First-place votes in parentheses
1. Rutgers (11) 221
2. Connecticut (5) 215
3. NOTRE DAME 191
4. DePaul 183
5. Villanova 167
6. Louisville 155
7. West Virginia 128
8. St. John’s 118
9. South Florida 113
10. Marquette 98
11. Georgetown 78
12. Seton Hall 73
13. Pittsburgh 60
14. Syracuse 57
15. Cincinnati 48
16. Providence 15
2005-06 Preseason All-BIG EAST Conference Team
Matee Ajavon, So., G, Rutgers
Meg Bulger, Jr., G, West Virginia
Jazz Covington, Jr., C, Louisville
Jessica Dickson, Jr., F, South Florida
Megan Duffy, Sr., G, Notre Dame
Cappie Pondexter, Sr., G, Rutgers
Khara Smith, Sr., F, DePaul
*Ann Strother, Sr., G, Connecticut
Liad Suez, Sr., F, Villanova
Barbara Turner, Sr., F/G, Connecticut
Marcedes Walker, So., F, Pittsburgh
Kia Wright, So., G, St. John’s
* – unanimous selection
Preseason Player of the Year: Cappie Pondexter, Sr., G, Rutgers
Preseason Freshman of the Year: Kia Vaughn, Fr., C, Rutgers