The ACC released its annual preseason women’s basketball poll on Tuesday, with the Blue Ribbon Panel predicting UNC to finish fifth in the league this season.

In a separate poll of the conference’s 15 head coaches, the Tar Heels were selected to finish fourth.

Senior center Janelle Bailey was UNC’s lone representative on the Preseason All-ACC team, but freshman guard Deja Kelly was one of just five players named to the Blue Ribbon Panel Newcomer watch list.

This ranking comes after an up-and-down season that ended with a 16-14 record in the first year under head coach Courtney Banghart. But the Tar Heels are looking to keep up the program’s momentum with another winning season. The recruiting class for Carolina brings in two five-star recruits to this upcoming season’s roster, Kelly and forward Anya Poole. UNC also added graduate transfer Petra Holešínská from Illinois and welcomed back Stephanie Watts.

Louisville was picked to win the league in both polls, while NC State and Syracuse are second and third in both as well. Cardinals’ star guard Dana Evans was also selected to win the ACC Player of the Year award.

Notre Dame is at No. 4 ahead of UNC in the Blue Ribbon Panel poll. In the coaches’ poll, Georgia Tech checks in at No. 5 behind the Tar Heels.

For the full preseason ACC women’s basketball poll and awards, click here.

 

Photo via Dakota Moyer

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