Oct. 26, 2010

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Maryland women's basketball team was picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference this year in the league's annual Predicted Order of Finish released Tuesday. Freshmen Laurin Mincy and Alyssa Thomas were named to the league's Newcomer Watch List.

Head coach Brenda Frese and sophomore Diandra Tchatchouang attended the ACC's annual Media Day event in Greensboro, N.C. Tuesday.

Duke was picked to win the league and received 24 of 33 first place votes. North Carolina was predicted to finish second, with Florida State picked to round out the top three.

Georgia Tech came in at No. 5 with North Carolina State following at No. 6. Boston College, Miami, Wake Forest, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Clemson rounded out the selection order.

Thomas and Mincy were two of the six freshmen named to the Newcomer Watch List. Duke's Richa Jackson and Chelsea Gray, Boston College's Kristen Doherty, and Florida State's Natasha Howard were also named to the List.

Duke's Jasmine Thomas was predicted to be the ACC's Player of the Year. Jessica Breland of North Carolina, Carolyn Swords of Boston College, Miami's Shenise Johnson, and Florida State's Courtney Johnson were also named to the Preseason All-ACC team.

The Terrapins are coming off of their sixth straight 20-win season and seventh consecutive postseason appearance under Frese. They return four of last year's starters, including ACC All-Freshmen team member Tchatchouang and All-ACC third team honoree Lynetta Kizer.

Maryland opens the 2010 season Nov. 2 with an exhibition against Gallaudet at 7 p.m. The Terps' second exhibition will be on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. against District of Columbia. The Terrapins will open their regular season against Monmouth Nov. 13 at 5 p.m. For tickets, please visit the Terrapin Ticket Office online at umterps.com or call 1-800-IM-A-TERP.

2010-11 Predicted Order of Finish
(First Place Votes)
1. Duke (24)
2. North Carolina (6)
3. Florida State (2)
4. Maryland
5. Georgia Tech
6. NC State (1)
7. Boston College
8. Miami
9. Wake Forest
10. Virginia
11. Virginia Tech
12. Clemson

Preseason Player of the Year
Jasmine Thomas, Sr., G, Duke

2010-11 Preseason All-ACC Team
Jessica Breland, Sr., F, North Carolina
Shenise Johnson, Jr., G, Miami
Carolyn Swords, Sr., C, Boston College
Jasmine Thomas, Sr., G, Duke
Courtney Ward, Sr., G, Florida State

2010-11 Newcomer Watch List
Kristen Doherty, G/F, Fr., Boston College
Chelsea Gray, G, Fr., Duke
Natasha Howard, F, Fr., Florida State
Richa Jackson, F, Fr., Duke
Laurin Mincy, G, Fr., Maryland
Alyssa Thomas, F, Fr., Maryland