Temple University Athletics
Women’s Basketball Picked to Finish 7th in AAC Preseason Poll
10.12.22 | Women's Basketball
IRVING, Texas – The Temple women's basketball team was picked to finish seventh out of 11 teams in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll, as voted on by league coaches. The Owls received 43 points in the poll, placing them ahead of East Carolina, Wichita State, Cincinnati, and UCF. South Florida was picked as the near unanimous preseason favorite with 99 points, garnering nine out of a possible 10 first-place votes.
Temple begins a new era under the direction of head coach Diane Richardson. The Owls' head coach earned an 80-66 overall record over five years as the bench boss at Towson, she led the Tigers to more postseason appearances (2) in her time at the helm than in the program's previous 49 seasons of existence (1). Temple has reloaded on talent, with the addition of six transfers including two players who earned All-Colonial Athletic Conference honors at their last stops. The Owls also return six players from last season, all of whom saw significant playing time in the 2021-22 campaign. This year, Temple will play all home games at the Liacouras Center for the first time since the 2008-2009 season. Tickets can be purchased at Owlstix.com or by calling the Temple ticket office at (215) 204-8499.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. South Florida (9) 99
2. Houston (2) 89
3. SMU 73
4. Tulsa 66
5. Tulane 56
Memphis 56
7. Temple 43
8. UCF 38
9. Cincinnati 34
10. Wichita State 32
11. East Carolina 19
First-place votes in parenthesis
Preseason Player of the Year
Elena Tsineke, Sr., G, South Florida
Preseason All-Conference First Team
Laila Blair, Jr., G, Houston*
Elena Tsineke, Sr., G, South Florida
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, Sr., F, South Florida
Savannah Wilkinson, Sr., F, SMU*
Temira Poindexter, So., F, Tulsa
Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Jillian Hayes, Jr, G, Cincinnati
Jamirah Shutes, 5th, G, Memphis
Dynah Jones, Gr., G, Tulane
Maddie Bittle, Sr., G, Tulsa
Maya Mayberry, Sr., G, Tulsa
*denotes unanimous selection
Temple begins a new era under the direction of head coach Diane Richardson. The Owls' head coach earned an 80-66 overall record over five years as the bench boss at Towson, she led the Tigers to more postseason appearances (2) in her time at the helm than in the program's previous 49 seasons of existence (1). Temple has reloaded on talent, with the addition of six transfers including two players who earned All-Colonial Athletic Conference honors at their last stops. The Owls also return six players from last season, all of whom saw significant playing time in the 2021-22 campaign. This year, Temple will play all home games at the Liacouras Center for the first time since the 2008-2009 season. Tickets can be purchased at Owlstix.com or by calling the Temple ticket office at (215) 204-8499.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. South Florida (9) 99
2. Houston (2) 89
3. SMU 73
4. Tulsa 66
5. Tulane 56
Memphis 56
7. Temple 43
8. UCF 38
9. Cincinnati 34
10. Wichita State 32
11. East Carolina 19
First-place votes in parenthesis
Preseason Player of the Year
Elena Tsineke, Sr., G, South Florida
Preseason All-Conference First Team
Laila Blair, Jr., G, Houston*
Elena Tsineke, Sr., G, South Florida
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, Sr., F, South Florida
Savannah Wilkinson, Sr., F, SMU*
Temira Poindexter, So., F, Tulsa
Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Jillian Hayes, Jr, G, Cincinnati
Jamirah Shutes, 5th, G, Memphis
Dynah Jones, Gr., G, Tulane
Maddie Bittle, Sr., G, Tulsa
Maya Mayberry, Sr., G, Tulsa
*denotes unanimous selection
Tuesday, June 02
Saturday, May 30
Tuesday, May 19
Tuesday, May 05
