The preseason coaches poll is out and UConn starts off at No. 1.

Am I surprised that UConn can lose Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck and still be ranked 1st? Well, to borrow one of the favorite answers from UConn legend Sue Bird "yes and no."

I understand the thinking that UConn has won the last four national titles and buying into the thinking that they are the best until somebody proves otherwise. However, if you put the UConn roster on another team would that squad be preseason No. 1? I would say most likely not.

For the sake of full disclosure, I vote on the Associated Press poll and I voted UConn fourth behind South Carolina, Notre Dame and Baylor and think you could make arguments for Louisville, Maryland and Ohio State being ahead of the Huskies. When the AP poll comes out next week, I am not expecting the Huskies to be ranked first.

I don't want anything to take this as me downplaying the talent on this UConn team. I believe Napheesa Collier, Kia Nurse, Katie Lou Samuelson and Gabby Williams could be as talented as any other quartet in the country but there are question marks as well. Will the Huskies ask freshman Crystal Dangerfield to run the offense and will it be too much for Dangerfield (or any freshman) at some point? Are Saniya Chong and Natalie Butler ready to be night in and night out contributors? What happens when the Huskies go to the bench? How will UConn handle a team with a dominant post player? The good news is it won't take long to figure out where the team stands. The season opener is at No. 12 Florida State (a tad under ranked in my opinion) and then host No. 4 Baylor. UConn will also play No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 3 South Carolina, No. 5 Maryland, Texas and Ohio State (tied for sixth).