The NCAA has published a list of who they believe should be in the top ten in the preseason of women's basketball. Virginia Union. VUU is ranked 9th in the nation.
Central Missouri, the defending national champion, captured the top spot, with Ashland, last year's national runner-up, being ranked second.
Carson-Newman, Drury and Indiana (Pa.) make up the top five.
The next five are Lubbock Christian, West Texas A&M, Edinboro/Alaska Anchorage (tied for 8th), VUU and the University of the Sciences.
"The Panthers lost their star player Alexis Johnson to graduation, but that's what they are used to at Virginia Union," wrote the NCAA. "The Panthers have seemingly lost a frontline player each season from Kiana Johnson to Lady Walker and now Johnson. But head coach AnnMarie Gilbert keeps winning. Wonder twins Shameka McNeill and Shareka McNeill had strong freshmen campaigns and should be even better as they form into the leaders of this Panthers squad."
The Lady Panthers tip off the regular season by hosting the Virginia Union Graduate Richmond Classic. Virginia Union will face Cheyney University at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 9, and will then face eighth-ranked Edinboro at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 10, in Richmond, Va.