Syracuse, N.Y. -- The Atlantic Coast Conference is the best women's basketball group in the country, and Syracuse has worked its way to rare air there.
SU has been slotted to finish third in the ACC by both the league's 15 head coaches and the Blue Ribbon Panel. That's the highest preseason pick for the Orange since joining the ACC in 2013.
Junior SU point guard Tiana Mangakahia earned preseason all-ACC team honors, while freshman Emily Engstler is on the newcomer watch list.
Defending national champion Notre Dame received the most votes and Arike Ogunawabe is tabbed as the ACC preseason player of the year.