ACC Women's Basketball Preview

Notre Dame 33-2 (16-0)

The Fighting Irish are highest ranked ACC team in the preseason top 25 at number 2. This team dominated the ACC conference last season by going undefeated. But after conference play they suffered a disappointing loss in the Sweet 16. Senior guard Lindsay Allen is on the Nancy Lieberman watch list. The health star player Brianna Turner could be an issue. She led the team last season with 14.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Coach Muffet McGraw is looking forward to this season. She believes this team has what it takes to make a deeper run in the tournament. Notre Dame truly has a championship or bust mentality.

Louisville 26-8 (15-1)

This is a very interesting squad. The Cardinals played well in conference play ending with only one loss to the champion Fighting Irish. Every starter from last year’s team is returning and the Cardinal will also benefit from some key role players. Myisha Hines-Allen won conference player of the year last season and has been dubbed as a preseason all-conference player. Hines-Allen averaged 17.6 points and 8.4 rebounds a game leading her Louisville squad. Mariya Moore and sophomore Asia Durr were also chosen as preseason All-ACC players. There aren't any solid freshman so this team will have all the chemistry necessary to catch Notre Dame and reach that elite status.

Syracuse 30-8 (13-3)

Syracuse is ranked at number 13 nationally, the schools highest preseason ranking ever. I think this is their year. This program played decent in conference last season but they caught their stride when it counted. Syracuse had a shocking upset of the number one ranked South Carolina Gamecocks and surprised many by appearing in the Final Four. All starters except for one are returning this season. Senior guard Alexis Peterson is on the Nancy Lieberman watch list. The two-time conference defensive player of the year, also with 1,207 career points, is a dual threat that looks to lead her team to the promised land once again. Syracuse is my pick to win the ACC.