Oct. 27, 2010

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's women's basketball team was picked to finish seventh in the Atlantic 10 race, according to a poll of the Atlantic 10's head coaches released today by conference officials. The Hawks, who return two starters and seven letterwinners, tied for fourth in the conference with a 9-5 record and earned a WNIT berth a season ago.

Reigning Atlantic 10 champions Xavier was picked to finish first this year, as the Musketeers received 12 of 14 first-place votes. Dayton, which made its first NCAA Tournament appearance last year, received two first-place votes and was picked to finish second, while Temple and Charlotte were selected to finish third and fourth, respectively.

Richmond was picked to finish fifth, while Duquesne was selected to finish sixth, followed by the Hawks in seventh. St. Bonaventure was selected eighth in the poll and is followed by George Washington, Saint Louis, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Fordham and La Salle.

Saint Joseph's, which went 17-15 in 2009-10, opens the season on November 12 when the Hawks host Providence at 5 p.m.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH (First-Place Votes)
1. Xavier (12)
2. Dayton (2)
3. Temple
4. Charlotte
5. Richmond
6. Duquesne
7. Saint Joseph's
8. St. Bonaventure
9. George Washington
10. Saint Louis
11. Massachusetts
12. Rhode Island
13. Fordham
14. La Salle