One ’11-12 AP women’s basketball preseason ballot

SourceMedia Group's Jeff Linder was a member of the Associated Press women's basketball ranking committee last season. If he is appointed again next year, his preseason Top 25 will look something very close to this:

1. BAYLOR (34-3, NCAA Final Four in 2010-11) - An easy choice for No. 1. Coach Kim Mulkey welcomes back the nation's most dominant returning player in 6-foot-8 Brittney Griner. The cast around her will be a year older and a year wiser.

2. TENNESSEE (34-3, NCAA Elite Eight) - The Lady Vols have developed a habit lately of exiting the NCAA Tournament earlier than they should. But they'll be full of talent next year, with their top three scorers (Meighan Simmons, Shekinna Stricklen and Glory Johnson) all back.

3. MIAMI, Fla. (28-5, NCAA second round) - Think this sounds too high? You're probably not alone. Four teams from the 2011 NCAA Tournament bring back the entire roster. This is one of them. Katie Meier was an AP co-national coach of the year. Seniors-to-be Riquna Williams and Shenise Johnson averaged 21.7 ppg and 19.6 ppg.

4. CONNECTICUT (36-2, NCAA Final Four) - Think this sounds too low? You're probably not alone. The Huskies adjust to life after Maya Moore, who scored more than 3,000 points and captured two titles in her career. More blue-chippers are on the way, including Linn-Mar's Kiah Stokes.

5. MARYLAND (24-8, NCAA second round) - Another ACC team that did not have a senior in 2011. Cedar Rapids native Brenda Frese will have a defensive-minded team capable of a deep March run.

6. STANFORD (33-3, NCAA Final Four) - Jeanette Pohlen and Kayla Pedersen will be seriously missed, but the Cardinal brings back the Ogwumike sisters (Nneka and Chiney), and they'll be a terror on the boards.

7. NOTRE DAME (31-8, NCAA runner-up) - All season long, I thought the Fighting Irish were overrated. They proved me off the mark with their run to the championship game. Skylar Diggins is an anchor at guard.

8. TEXAS A&M (33-5, NCAA champion) - Defending national champions have a giant hole to fill with the departure of Danielle Adams. But the other Kansas City kid, Tyra White, returns - as does Sydney Carter.

9. FLORIDA STATE (24-8, NCAA second round) - Noles and Canes … it's a rivalry in more than football now. Six-foot-4 Cierra Bravard headlines a talented list of returners.

10. PURDUE (20-12, NCAA second round) - Everybody returns for the Boilermakers, and that should signal a swift rise from the middle to the top of the Big Ten. Ask Lisa Bluder how tough it is to win at Mackey Arena.

11. PENN STATE (25-10, NCAA second round) - Last year, the Lady Lions' top scorer (Maggie Lucas) was a freshman and their playmaker (Alex Bentley) was a sophomore. Another year of experience will do wonders.

12. DUKE (32-4, NCAA Elite Eight) - This makes four ACC teams in the top 12. Joanne P. McCallie faces a rebuilding job; the top three scorers graduate.

13. UCLA (28-5, NCAA second round) - This could be a tenuous pick, with Coach Nikki Caldwell leaving for LSU. Leading scorer Jasmine Dixon is back, though.

14. RUTGERS (20-13, NCAA second round) - The entire roster returns, and that should help C.Vivian Stringer's Scarlet Knights end their recent trend of starting slow before finishing with a flourish.

15. KENTUCKY (24-9, NCAA second round) - The SEC just ain't what it used to be, and despite the departure of Victoria Dunlap, the Wildcats might still be the second-best (a distant second) team in the league.

16. DE PAUL (29-7, NCAA Sweet 16) - Blue Demons made a big jump toward the nation's upper crust last season, and with leading scorer Keisha Hampton coming back, they should stay about where they were.

17. KANSAS STATE (21-11, NCAA qualifier) - With teams like K-State moving upward - the Wildcats return 95 percent of their scoring - the Big 12 ought to be deeper even with the loss of two teams.

18. WISCONSIN-GREEN BAY (34-2, NCAA Sweet 16) - The Phoenix were 4-0 against the Big Ten last season, including an NCAA second-round win over Michigan State. This ought to be the best mid-major in the land.

19. LOUISVILLE (22-13, NCAA Sweet 16) - Cardinals formed an identity with second-round upset of Xavier. With the top three scorers coming back, The ‘Ville is a sleeper in the Big East.

20. GEORGIA (23-11, NCAA Sweet 16) - Lady Bulldogs got to the Sweet 16 before getting thoroughly routed by Texas A&M. Just one senior departs, though, and Georgia should move forward.

21. GEORGETOWN (24-11, NCAA Sweet 16) - Judging by their comments after their NCAA regional semifinal loss to UConn, the Hoyas believe they're an elite program. This would be a good year to prove it.

22. MARIST (31-3, NCAA second round) - After disposing of Iowa State, Red Foxes darn near knocked off Duke - at Cameron - to reach the Sweet 16. Next year's Marist might be this year's Green Bay.

23. TEXAS TECH (22-11, NCAA qualifier) - Red Raiders were dangerous (see win over Baylor) last year, but inconsistent (see six-game losing streak). They should be good more often in 2011-12.

24. TEMPLE (24-9, NCAA second round) - With Xavier suffering through graduation galore, the Owls appear ready to fly to the top of the Atlantic 10.

25. IOWA (22-9, NCAA qualifier) - One honorable mention All-American (Kachine Alexander) departs, but another (Jaime Printy) returns. The Hawkeyes should be deeper in 2011-12 than they have been recently.

Next in line:

26. Northern Iowa (27-6, NCAA qualifier),

27. St. John's (22-11, NCAA second round),

28. McNeese State (26-7, NCAA qualifier),

29. Georgia Tech (24-11, NCAA second round),

30. Michigan State (26-6, NCAA second round),

31. Princeton (24-5, NCAA qualifier),

32. Gonzaga (31-5, NCAA Elite Eight),

33. North Carolina (28-9, NCAA Sweet 16),

34. Iowa State (22-11, NCAA qualifier),

35. Oklahoma (23-12, NCAA Sweet 16),

36. Tennessee-Martin (21-11, NCAA qualifier),

37. Hampton (26-7, NCAA qualifier),

38. Dayton (21-12, NCAA qualifier),

39. Middle Tennessee State (23-8, NCAA qualifier),

40. Texas (19-14, NCAA qualifier).