Bill Jauss ranks the Top 25 women’s teams in the nation (2002-03 record in parentheses):
1. Connecticut (37-1)
Diana Taurasi leads Huskies in bid for three-peat.
2. Duke (35-2)
Alana Beard & associates have come close.
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3. Texas (29-6)
Physical players back from Final Four team.
4. Kansas State (29-5)
Nicole Ohlde, Kendra Wecker head gifted group.
5. Tennessee (33-5)
Some new faces; same high talent level.
6. Stanford (27-5)
Nicole Powell superstar from the West.
7. Purdue (29-6)
Erika Valek at point leads Boilers.
8. Penn State (26-9)
Kelly Mazzante doesn’t have to do it all.
9. Texas Tech (29-6)
Four starters back assure Tech its 15th straight NCAA tournament.
10. LSU (30-4)
Soph Seimone Augustus is something special.
11. Georgia (21-10)
Kara Braxton, Christi Thomas tough in post.
12. North Carolina (28-6)
Soph LaTangela Atkinson is good.
13. Minnesota (25-6)
Lindsay Whalen, Janel McCarville leaders.
14: Notre Dame (21-11)
Will miss Alicia Ratay’s threes.
15. Louisiana Tech (31-3)
NCAA tourney record has not been good.
16 Utah (24-7)
Watch out for Kim Smith from Canada.
17. Ohio State (22-10)
Caity Matter deadly on threes.
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18. Rutgers (21-8)
Chicagoan Cappie Pondexter directs Knights.
19. Virginia (17-14)
Senior leaders make Cavs tough in ACC.
20. Arizona (22-9)
6-5 Shawntinice Polk averaged 17 ppg, 11 rpg.
21. Santa Barbara (27-5)
Gauchos have outscored some of the best.
22. Texas Christian (20-14)
6-4 Sandora Irvin an improving star.
23. DePaul (22-10)
Jenni Dant&Co. seek NCAA tourney return.
24. Washington (22-8)
Giuliana Mendiola was Pac-10 player of year.
25. Cincinnati (23-8)
Valerie King hit 92 threes. 6-2 Debbie Merrill averaged 18 points.