After a run to the Elite Eight in last year’s NCAA Tournament, Oregon women’s basketball enters the 2017-18 season as the No. 11 team in the country, according to USA Today’s Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Ducks, who return all five starters, received 479 votes in the poll without any first-place votes. Oregon was also picked second in the Pac-12 preseason coaches poll earlier this month.
Connecticut, which beat Oregon in the Sweet 16 last year, was picked No. 1 with 25 of the 32 first-place votes while defending national champions South Carolina was picked second.
Six Pac-12 schools landed in the top 25. Along with the 11th-ranked Ducks, UCLA enters the season ranked No. 7, Stanford No. 9, Oregon State No. 17, and California and Washington both tied for No. 25.
With Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard returning for their sophomore seasons, the Ducks starters have some time under the belts following their success in the 2016-17 season. Along with freshman Satou Sabally, the Ducks have added to their already deep roster that graduated three players after last season.
Oregon plays Portland State in a benefit exhibition on Saturday, where all proceeds will go to the American Red Cross funds for wildfire relief. The Ducks kick off their season against Westmont on Nov. 5 at Matthew Knight Arena.
Follow Shawn Medow on Twitter @ShawnMedow