Middle Tennessee receives votes in AP Top 25 Poll

• Preseason AP Top 25 Poll 

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee's women's basketball program earned 70 points for 27th nationally in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll released on Saturday.

The Blue Raiders were within reach of earning their second preseason Top 25 ranking in four seasons. In 2009, MT was slotted 24th in the AP preseason poll.

Kansas earned 90 points for 26th, DePaul was 25th with 110 points and Miami (Fla.) grabbed 110 points for 24th. Baylor was voted the unanimous No. 1 team in the country. Two MT opponents were ranked in the preseason poll. Kentucky came in sixth, while Tennessee was selected 20th.

Earlier this fall, the Blue Raiders were picked in the Top 25 by two preseason publications (Athlon and Lindy's). The USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll preseason rankings come out on Tuesday.

With 10 letterwinners and all five starters returning from last year's 26-7 team, the Blue Raiders have high expectations this season. MT was picked first in the Sun Belt East Division. Icelyn Elie, Kortni Jones and Ebony Rowe all grabbed first team All-Conference honors as voted by the league coaches.

The Blue Raiders host Alabama-Huntsville in an exhibition on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. MT closes out the preseason with Lincoln Memorial on Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. The regular season starts on Nov. 9 as MT hosts Kennesaw State in the first round of the WNIT. 

Men's and women's basketball combo pack season tickets are just $199. Women's season tickets are also sold individually for $100. Season tickets for Middle Tennessee women's basketball games are on sale now by calling the MTSU Ticket Office at 1-888-YES-MTSU or purchasing online.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.