No. 16: LSU women's basketball ranked in preseason AP poll for first time since 2013

LSU opens the 2022-23 season ranked 16th in the Associated Press preseason poll, a far cry from what the national pundits have thought about the program entering a season in some time.

The last time the Tigers appeared in the AP's preseason ranking was 2013.

Kim Mulkey helped guided LSU to one of the best turnarounds in women's college basketball history last season, earning her the AP National Coach of the Year award. The Tigers went from 9-13 to 26-6.

The 26 wins were the most at LSU since 2008. LSU were beaten in the second round of the NCAA Tournament by Ohio State.

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LSU's staff put together one of the best overall recruiting classes, incoming freshmen and transfers combined, in 2022. With a majority of new faces on this season's squad, the crop of newcomers is headlined by Maryland transfer Angel Reese, who ESPN sees as the most impactful transfer for the 2022-23 campaign.

The Tigers also have four freshmen, two of whom are top 100 recruits. Guard Flau'jae Johnson was rated 26th in the 2022 class while forward Sa'Myah Smith came in at No. 58. Both are expected to contribute this season.

LSU opens the season Nov. 7, hosting Bellarmine at 7 p.m. at the Pete Maravich Center.

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.