After losing six seniors off a team that went 25-10 and made it to the Sweet 16 last season, the women’s basketball team enters the 2007-2008 season with lower expectations — at least in the eyes of the media, sports information directors and head coaches.

In the rankings released Wednesday, N.C. State was picked to finish seventh in the conference.

Maryland was tabbed as the preseason favorite with North Carolina and Duke rounding out the top three. Senior forward Khadijah Whittington was named to the preseason All-ACC Team.

The season kicks off Nov. 11 for the team with a game against UNC-Greensboro.

State’s first ACC contest is Jan. 6 at Boston College.

This year’s team features five sophomores and six freshmen, including redshirt freshman Megan Zullo, who redshirted last season with an injury.