The Boston University women’s basketball team was picked to finish second behind unanimous top-pick the University of Hartford in the preseason coaches poll released yesterday.

BU’s 45 points tied with the University of Maine for the second position, 19 points behind the defending conference champion Hawks.

“We’re excited that we were picked second,” said second-year Terrier coach Kelly Greenberg. “We’re up there with good company of course, there’s no question that Hartford is the front-runner of the league.” Junior guard Katie Meinhardt was also named to the preseason all-conference team. Meinhardt redshirted after appearing in only five games last season due to a foot injury and is hurt again entering the 2005-06 campaign. She will likely be unavailable for the season opener. “To start off the season again on our benches is just killing her,” Greenberg said. “But we will figure out a way to move on.”

BU finished last season at 15-16, good for eighth place in the 10-team America East. The Terriers are counting on three returning starters and three freshmen to help them scale the conference standings.

The Terriers’ high ranking was likely due to last year’s conference tournament run, where they upset top-seeded Maine and fourth-seeded the University of Vermont before finally falling to Hartford in the championship.

BU opens the new season on Nov. 18 at St. John’s University.