DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke Blue Devils women’s basketball team was ranked No. 7 in the USA Today Sports Division I Coaches preseason poll that was released on Monday.
Connecticut assumed the top spot with 32 first place votes, while South Carolina, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Stanford, Duke, Maryland, Baylor and Kentucky followed to assume the first 10 spots.
Closing out the Top 25 was Louisville, Texas, North Carolina, California, Michigan State, Nebraska, West Virginia, DePaul, Iowa, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Dayton, UCLA, LSU and Syracuse.
Duke will face five of the top-10 ranked teams this season – Connecticut (1), South Carolina (2), Notre Dame (3), Texas A&M (5) and Kentucky (10).
The Blue Devils recently posted exhibition wins over Limestone College (100-33) and Armstrong State (100-45).
Redshirt freshman guard Rebecca Greenwell averaged 27.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals – scoring a team-high 31 points against Armstrong State and 24 points against Limestone while converting 11-of-21 three-point attempts in both games combined.
Senior center Elizabeth Williams also had strong outings and averaged 20 points, 14.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and four blocks.
Other notable performances during exhibition play included those of freshman Sierra Calhoun (13 points, 7 rebounds), sophomore Oderah Chidom (12.5 points, 7 rebounds) and freshman Azurá Stevens (11 points, 7 rebounds).
The Blue Devils have now been ranked No. 7 in both the Associated Press and USA Today Sports Coaches preseason polls – the 15th straight year Duke has been listed in the top 10 of both polls during the preseason.