With the men’s and women’s basketball teams each returning a core of veterans, both Husky squads are near the top of the preseason coaches’ polls for the inaugural season of the American Athletic Conference.

Four Huskies on the defending NCAA championship women’s team were recognized during Monday’s Women’s Basketball Media Day at Mohegan Sun Arena, site of the American Athletic Conference Tournament scheduled for March 7-10, 2014.

The Huskies were voted as No. 1 in the first AAC preseason poll, with their 2013 championship game opponent, Louisville, projected as second in the league. Breanna Stewart ’16 (CLAS), the 2013 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, was named as the American’s Preseason Player of the Year and to the All-Conference Team, joining Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis ’15 (CLAS) and Stefanie Dolson ’14 (CLAS). Bria Hartley ’14 (CLAS) was awarded All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Two members of the men's basketball team received Preseason All-Conference recognition on Wednesday during the first Men’s Basketball Media Day at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis, site of the AAC Tournament to take place March 12-15, 2014. Shabazz Napier '14 (CLAS) was named to the First Team Preseason All-Conference Team, and Ryan Boatright '15 (CLAS) was named to the Second Team. The Huskies were selected as the second ranked team in the AAC, behind defending national champion Louisville.