Bulldogs coming off 20-12 season and WNIT appearance
INDIANAPOLIS – After making its first postseason appearance since 1998, the Butler women’s basketball team was picked to finish third in the Horizon League this year in the league’s preseason poll. The Bulldogs received 234 points and three first-place votes in the 28-voter poll.
Butler, which went 14-4 in conference play last year, is coming off its second consecutive 20-win season and a WNIT appearance. The Bulldogs return four starters from last season’s 20-12 team, including four of the program’s top five scorers.
“We’re pleased to be voted in the top half of a very tough league in the preseason poll,” eighth-year head coach Beth Couture said. “It’s a long year and we’re excited to see how the season plays out. We believe we have the pieces in place to compete for the league championship.”
Defending Horizon League champion Green Bay, which must replace four starters, was voted as the favorite in the poll, garnering 19 of the available first-place votes. Cleveland State followed Green Bay as the two teams picked ahead of BU. UIC and Milwaukee rounded out the poll’s first five.
Butler tips off the 2009-10 season Monday, Nov. 9 in an exhibition against DePauw at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The regular season opener is Sunday, Nov. 15 at Kentucky.
