Despite losing two starters and its top reserve from last season, the Utah women’s basketball team was voted into the preseason top-25 of both the USA Today/ESPN and Associated Press polls.

The Utes came in at No. 24 in the coaches poll, and 25th in the media poll.

They return three starters and nine letter-winners from the 2000-’01 team that went 28-4 overall and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the program’s history.

After defeating Mirabel Banska Bystrica 73-36 in its first exhibition game of this year, Utah will conclude its preseason slate Saturday with a home contest against the NWBL Elite.

The Utes’ regular season begins Nov. 17 and 18 at the Gopher Basketball Classic in Minneapolis, Minn.