Women's Basketball Preview 2012-13

Achonwa

Lending A Hand

Natalie Achonwa returned to South Bend ready for a new role -- which is just what the Irish need to make up for losing three starters. Graham Hays » Rebecca Lobo analysis Video Skylar Diggins Video

Mark Dolejs/US Presswire

GRAHAM HAYS' TOP SMALL FORWARDS

  • Elena Delle Donne
    Delaware, 6-5, senior
    The most complete, efficient player in the sport.
  • Alyssa Thomas
    Maryland, 6-2, junior
    Elite athleticism paired with equal basketball IQ.
  • Niveen Rasheed
    Princeton, 6-0, senior
    Ivy League brain, BCS game for do-everything star.
  • Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis
    UConn, 6-0, sophomore
    More than a shooter, but few have a better stroke.
  • Monique Reid
    Louisville, 6-1, senior
    Team wasn't same without her scoring efficiency.

MECHELLE VOEPEL'S PRESEASON TOP 10

    1. Baylor Lady Bears
    2. Connecticut Huskies
    3. Duke Blue Devils
    4. Maryland Terrapins
    5. Kentucky Wildcats
    6. Stanford Cardinal
    7. Louisville Cardinals
    8. Delaware Blue Hens
    9. Penn State Lady Lions
    10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Mechelle Voepel

MORE CONTENT TO COME

PRESEASON TOP 10

  • No. 1 Baylor
    A look at the top 10 in our preseason poll opens with the reigning national champ.
  • No. 2 UConn
    Freshman Breanna Stewart must step up for UConn to be more than the best of the rest.
  • No. 3 Duke
    Can the 1-2 punch of Chelsea Gray and Elizabeth Williams return Duke to the Final Four?
  • No. 4 Maryland
    With a depleted backcourt, the Terps will rely even heavier on junior Alyssa Thomas.
  • No. 5 Stanford
    Now that big sis Nneka has moved on, Chiney Ogwumike takes charge of the Cardinal.
  • No. 6 Notre Dame
    How Natalie Achonwa steps up after key losses might effect the Irish the most.
  • No. 7 Kentucky
    A'dia Mathies and the reigning SEC regular-season champs look to go even further.
  • No. 8 Louisville
    Monique Reid and Tia Gibbs are healthy again, giving Louisville a multi-threat lineup.
  • No. 9 Penn State
    Two competitive rivals turned friends help form one of the nation's best backcourts.
  • No. 10 Delaware
    The Blue Hens are out to prove they are more than just senior star Elena Delle Donne.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Elena Delle Donne, Skylar Diggins and Brittney Griner visited ESPN's Bristol, Conn., studios last month. espnW was there for all the behind-the-scenes action as the star trio made its way around campus. Story » Midnight Madness »

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