Oct. 18, 2011

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Maryland women's basketball team was picked to finish third in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season, announced Tuesday. The predictions were made by a vote of the Blue Ribbon Panel, consisting of national and local media, as well as school representatives.

Senior Lynetta Kizer and sophomore Alyssa Thomas, both named to last year's All-ACC Second Team, were voted to the five-member Preseason All-ACC Team. Both Kizer and Thomas were named to the Wooden Award Preseason Top 30 list last week.

Miami, who finished second in the ACC last year, was picked to win the league and received 30 out of 40 first-place votes. Duke was predicted to finish second and garnered the final 10 first-place votes. Florida State and Georgia Tech rounded out the top five in the conference, respectively.

Miami's Shenise Johnson, who was named ACC Player of the Year last season, was chosen as the Preseason Player of the Year. The Hurricane's Riquna Williams was also named to the Preseason All-ACC Team, along with Florida State's Cierra Bravard.

Maryland came in at No. 11 in the Sporting News preseason poll and No. 12 in the Athlon Sports preseason rankings. The Terps return four of their five starters from last year's 24-8 team that went to the NCAA Second Round.

The Terrapins open the 2011-12 season on Nov. 11 when they take on Loyola (Md.) at 7 p.m. in Comcast Center. For tickets, log on to the Terrapin Ticket Office online at umterps.com or call 1-800-IM-A-TERP.

2011 ACC Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
1. Miami (30)
2. Duke (10)
3. MARYLAND
4. Florida State
5. Georgia Tech
6. North Carolina
7. NC State
8. Virginia
9. Boston College
10. Wake Forest
11. Clemson
12. Virginia Tech

Preseason All-ACC Team
Cierra Bravard, Sr., Florida State
Shenise Johnson, Sr., Miami
Lynetta Kizer, Sr., MARYLAND
Alyssa Thomas, So., MARYLAND
Riquna Williams, Sr., Miami