SEC 2019-2020 discussion

[Dwilliams02]

To me, you can’t rely on freshman to lead you to championships. So as much a the SC group is heralded and despite the duo of Ty Harris and MHH, I just don’t see where all the scoring will come from. MSU has to get all these players to mesh and Tenn has to adapt to a new system (or any system!).
I do think Texas A&M is the team to beat. With Arkansas and Kentucky also being included with the other 3 mentioned. From a STAR perspective, Carter, Rennia Davis along with Howard of Kentucky and Chelsea Dundee of Arkansas as big time scorers. I think the 1-5 seeds will be interesting but as noted overall, not a string year for the SEC, however in 2 years watch out!

I don't have high expectations with the coach LSU has. But Fargas does field a very deep and talented team and has proven to compete with Texas A&M and Kentucky over the years so I wouldn't sleep on them in the top 4. Mitchell and Pointer is a great duo, Aifuwa has made a big jump in the post for them, I expect her to continue improving as one of the top centers in the SEC, also bringing in 2 talented freshmen and a team with a lot of experience. Not expecting them to be at the top. But their upside is definitely in the top 4. They've been there not long ago

 

[Dwilliams02]

I really like this new coaching staff. I think this staff will do some really good things. Coach Harper had a good run last year at Missouri State. Now she has a more talented team. I am looking forward to seeing Horston play. I think the team will be better. I expect a better play and a better record. I will say sweet 16 possibly.

Agreed. Some think that they'll take a step back with the losses. I think they'll take a step ahead with their talent. I expect some of last year's freshmen to make a big jump. Davis will finally show her talents consistently. KK is the biggest question mark. The UCLA game in the tournament shows how much of a force she is in the paint. If it grows consistently. Then UT will be a complete team. I feel like she is the biggest key to their success.

 

[SCspur]

I don't have high expectations with the coach LSU has. But Fargas does field a very deep and talented team and has proven to compete with Texas A&M and Kentucky over the years so I wouldn't sleep on them in the top 4. Mitchell and Pointer is a great duo, Aifuwa has made a big jump in the post for them, I expect her to continue improving as one of the top centers in the SEC, also bringing in 2 talented freshmen and a team with a lot of experience. Not expecting them to be at the top. But their upside is definitely in the top 4. They've been there not long ago

LSU a top 4 team in the SEC??? If they are in fact a top 4 team who would be the other three you’d include? I’m curious to know.

 

[Dwilliams02]

LSU a top 4 team in the SEC??? If they are in fact a top 4 team who would be the other three you’d include? I’m curious to know.

A&M, SC, and State. I'm not inferring to them actually being a top 4 team. I'm speaking on the talent and returning vets that could give them that ceiling. Year before last they were top 4 when they had experience. This year the team they courting should have the same experience. Don't be surprised if they beat out Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas for the #4 spot. I also wouldn't be surprised if they're #6-7 either.

 

[stwainfan]

 

[SCspur]

A&M, SC, and State. I'm not inferring to them actually being a top 4 team. I'm speaking on the talent and returning vets that could give them that ceiling. Year before last they were top 4 when they had experience. This year the team they courting should have the same experience. Don't be surprised if they beat out Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas for the #4 spot. I also wouldn't be surprised if they're #6-7 either.

Gotcha. It’ll be interesting for sure. How come everyone has written Missouri off? They have some VERY talented freshman coming in and they have some good ones returning. Seems like Arkansas and LSU struggle more with consistent good play than Kentucky and Mizzou. Auburn will also have a sneaky good team as well.

 

[DaBball]

Definitely a lot of question marks in the SEC for a lot of teams, more than I can remember in recent years.

Mizzou will have two very talented freshmen in Aijha Blackwell and Hayley Frank, but they will be even worse down low without Porter. Akira Levy suffered a late injury, but will be a key piece.

Kentucky obviously has a unique talent in Rhyne Howard, but Murray and Morris will be missed. Chassity Patterson will be eligible mid season, but she is still unproven.

Arkansas with Tolefree, Dungee, and Ramirez on the perimeter will be a nightmare when they’re on, but they seem likely to be streaky, perhaps a team that can beat the best but lose to the worst.

 

[SECbbfan24]

LSU has the tools to potentially do very well next year but LSU has always been a very streaky team under Nikki. We will upset a few teams we aren't expected to but then drop a few games that we have no business losing. I am still not sold until they learn to take care of the basketball and learn to hit outside shots consistently. LSU had success the other year when Chloe Jackson and Louis were hitting outside shots consistently. We turn the ball over way too much but that has been routine for us every year. They like to play up tempo and run with it, issue is they are out of control too much.

Just my personal opinion, no matter how good the post play is, teams are going to force LSU to shoot from the perimeter and take care of the ball. If we can't do that we will continue to struggle and finish in the mid tier part of the conference again.

 

[LoTrader]

Observation from the west coast: If Texas A&M remains healthy throughout next season, Texas A&M are the best in the SEC.

 

[stwainfan]

 

[SECbbfan24]

Observation from the west coast: If Texas A&M remains healthy throughout next season, Texas A&M are the best in the SEC.

I think they have a legit chance to make a run if they do remain healthy. A. Wilson coming back from injury will be big. She was a big scorer for them early last season.

Whats amazing is Carter, Wells, Johnson, A. Wilson, and Jones were all sophomores last year. The foundation of the entire team were a bunch of sophomore players. They only signed one kid this past year but she is a top 100 guard out of Houston.

 

[SCspur]

I think they have a legit chance to make a run if they do remain healthy. A. Wilson coming back from injury will be big. She was a big scorer for them early last season.

Whats amazing is Carter, Wells, Johnson, A. Wilson, and Jones were all sophomores last year. The foundation of the entire team were a bunch of sophomore players. They only signed one kid this past year but she is a top 100 guard out of Houston.

They really lacked depth last season and did well despite of it. Getting Wilson healthy and adding Green and Hearn should make them even better although I’m not sure how good the latter is considering she was a bench bump at UCLA.

 

[Plebe]

A&M is clearly the team to beat, on paper. I'd say definitely a favorite to reach the Elite 8. Both Carter and Wells have All-American potential. If they develop a strong post presence they can be a Final Four team.

MSU, SC, Ark, TN, KY, Mizzou and LSU could be anywhere between meh and very good. So many questions to be answered and variables that can go any which way for each of these teams.

Florida, Ole Miss, Vandy and Bama will probably still be the cellar, likely to be joined by Georgia and Auburn.

My predictions:

1. TAMU
2. Miss St
3. South Carolina
4. Tennessee
5. Kentucky
6. Arkansas
7. Missouri
8. LSU
9. Georgia
10. Auburn
11. Vanderbilt
12. Alabama
13. Ole Miss
14. Florida

 

[Dwilliams02]

LSU has the tools to potentially do very well next year but LSU has always been a very streaky team under Nikki. We will upset a few teams we aren't expected to but then drop a few games that we have no business losing. I am still not sold until they learn to take care of the basketball and learn to hit outside shots consistently. LSU had success the other year when Chloe Jackson and Louis were hitting outside shots consistently. We turn the ball over way too much but that has been routine for us every year. They like to play up tempo and run with it, issue is they are out of control too much.

Just my personal opinion, no matter how good the post play is, teams are going to force LSU to shoot from the perimeter and take care of the ball. If we can't do that we will continue to struggle and finish in the mid tier part of the conference again.

Agreed. I think they have more three point shooters this year than they had ever before. I just don't like that Fargas doesn't allow them to shoot it more. They won't have any confidence in hitting them if they are not allowed to take them.

The good news is, the new Athletic Director will probably get rid of her if they don't succeed.

 

[Dwilliams02]

They really lacked depth last season and did well despite of it. Getting Wilson healthy and adding Green and Hearn should make them even better although I’m not sure how good the latter is considering she was a bench bump at UCLA.

Carter with the experienced talent is more dangerous. Her court vision is very high. Especially when defenders key in on her. I can see her averaging more assists next year.

 

[Dwilliams02]

Gotcha. It’ll be interesting for sure. How come everyone has written Missouri off? They have some VERY talented freshman coming in and they have some good ones returning. Seems like Arkansas and LSU struggle more with consistent good play than Kentucky and Mizzou. Auburn will also have a sneaky good team as well.

Honestly because talent in the SEC does not outplay experience. Missouri will be fairly young and will struggle at times. They gonna win and exceed expectations, but they're gonna drop a few because of youth. Kentucky on the other hand. Can win the SEC. I think losing Murray and Morris is not as bad as ppl think. They are adding in transfers to replace them.

 

[SCspur]

Honestly because talent in the SEC does not outplay experience. Missouri will be fairly young and will struggle at times. They gonna win and exceed expectations, but they're gonna drop a few because of youth. Kentucky on the other hand. Can win the SEC. I think losing Murray and Morris is not as bad as ppl think. They are adding in transfers to replace them.

They have Amber Smith, Jordan Chavis, Jordan Roundtree and Hannah Schuchts returning plus Levy who made All Freshman. All those players have big game experience so I wouldn’t say they’re young.

For Kentucky Howard will likely be the leading scorer but they lack a PG next year and Patterson is unproven and the transfer Haines is no where close to being a player Morris was for them. Maci started since her freshman year and was top 3 in 3pt percentage since her sophomore year. I highly doubt Haines provides better than what they had with Morris.

 

[SECbbfan24]

I will be interested so see if Kentucky's other freshman Blair Green can make a jump. She is a very solid player (made SEC All freshmen team) and for the most part was efficient last year whenever she tried shooting. If she can be more aggressive next year and involved offensively, I think she can help Howard out a lot. Patterson is unproven but definitely talented. Looking forward what she can do under Mitchell. I have difficult time judging players under Ashton.

 

[SECbbfan24]

Who do y'all think will be the most improved team next year?

Also dark horses to win the SEC?

 

[SCspur]

Who do y'all think will be the most improved team next year?

Also dark horses to win the SEC?

Tennessee will be improved along with Arkansas and Kentucky. I think those three teams will be a tier below SC, A&M, and Miss St. that would likely be the top 6.

Arkansas and Kentucky could be the dark horses but I’m not sure if they can play at a high enough level to win the SEC.

 

[SECbbfan24]

Tennessee will be improved along with Arkansas and Kentucky

Interesting choice. They lost some major contributions from Morris and Murray but return Howard and and everyone else. Their other freshmen Green showed some great flashes as a freshmen. Coach Mitchell seems extremely high on those newcomers, especially Deasia Merrill. I'm intrigued to see what Chasity Patterson can bring to the table, she was a top recruit out of HS. Of course she had zero coaching and development down in Austin so I expect her to do better at Kentucky. Defensively they will be really good but other kids will need to step up offensively.

Tennessee is definitely one to watch despite losing a couple key transfers. Curious how that team will play next year with possibly some better coaching and discipline.

 

[DaBball]

Tennessee will be improved along with Arkansas and Kentucky. I think those three teams will be a tier below SC, A&M, and Miss St. that would likely be the top 6.

Arkansas and Kentucky could be the dark horses but I’m not sure if they can play at a high enough level to win the SEC.

Arkansas's biggest issue, IMO, is their lack of height. They have three guards that can really fill it up in Tolefree, Ramirez, and Dungee, but whether those 3 can consistently play at a high level, and whether or not they can play with teams that have bigs is the question.

Right now, SC and A&M are 1a and 1b for me, maybe give SC the slight edge, but Chennedy Carter can really fill it up, and she will have some very talented teammates beside her. Carter with Aaliyah Wilson, Kayla Wells, N'dea Jones, and Ciera Johnson could be scary. Ty Harris and Herbet-Harrigan will be a deadly duo, but how much some of the freshmen can contribute will be a key.

 

[Plebe]

Who do y'all think will be the most improved team next year?

Also dark horses to win the SEC?

Most improved:

• A&M gets everyone back, they have great upside collectively and individually, and they're led by an outstanding coach. They should be top 10 for sure, possibly a Final Four team.
• LSU gets almost everyone back and, while I wouldn't call their coach outstanding, they should be significantly better than last year's team that missed the NCAAs.

Dark horses:

• Can MSU be considered a dark horse? Most are predicting they'll fall back behind A&M and SC, but Vic has proven his ability to reload without a down season. Plus he's getting his highest-rated recruit ever in Rickea Jackson.
• Tennessee is a wildcard with its new coaching staff and the addition of Horston. I'll be very surprised if they win the SEC, but it can't be ruled out.

 

[Alydar]

Tenn will be most improved, if only because they will win a bunch of the games they should never have lost but in which they played like do do. I predict that the losing streak to Alabama is over.

 

[Dwilliams02]

Who do y'all think will be the most improved team next year?

Also dark horses to win the SEC?

Most improved. LSU. Tennessee.

Dark horses. Tennessee and Kentucky.

I find A&M, SC and MSU are favorites. But I'm convinced that they can drop to Kentucky and Tennessee on any given night.

Best defense: LSU
Offense: Mississippi State.

 

[Dwilliams02]

Arkansas's biggest issue, IMO, is their lack of height. They have three guards that can really fill it up in Tolefree, Ramirez, and Dungee, but whether those 3 can consistently play at a high level, and whether or not they can play with teams that have bigs is the question.

Right now, SC and A&M are 1a and 1b for me, maybe give SC the slight edge, but Chennedy Carter can really fill it up, and she will have some very talented teammates beside her. Carter with Aaliyah Wilson, Kayla Wells, N'dea Jones, and Ciera Johnson could be scary. Ty Harris and Herbet-Harrigan will be a deadly duo, but how much some of the freshmen can contribute will be a key.

I think SC biggest sleeper will be Amihere. She gets overshadowed by the other freshmen but I watched her highlights, her size and athleticism is amazing

 

[SCspur]

I think SC biggest sleeper will be Amihere. She gets overshadowed by the other freshmen but I watched her highlights, her size and athleticism is amazing

Agreed. She might be the best out of the bunch when it’s said and done.

 

[stwainfan]

Tennessee I like the new coaching staff. The team goes on European tour. So they get to play before the season starts. That will be helpful.

 

[SCGamecock]

Agreed. She might be the best out of the bunch when it’s said and done.

Agree with this. I think Amihere has the highest upside of all of our freshmen. I think Beal is the one most ready to contribute on day 1. Boston is going to be that next great SC post player. Cooke is going to be very Asia Durr-like by the time she graduates.

Amihere gets overshadowed because nobody has seen her in over a year and she's coming off an injury (keeping her healthy will be a key), but prior to injury she was #2 in that class for a reason.

Most improved: Tennessee

Dark Horses: I think Arkansas. That Razorback backcourt scares the crap out of me.. it will be one of the highest scoring in the league IMO.

Right now I'd rank the league

1a - A&M
1b - SC
1c - Miss State

4. Arkansas
5. Kentucky
6. Tennessee
7. Misery
8. Auburn
9. LSU
10. Georgia
11. Alabama
12. Ole Miss
13. Florida
14. Vanderbilt

 

[militarydog]

Most improved:

• A&M gets everyone back, they have great upside collectively and individually, and they're led by an outstanding coach. They should be top 10 for sure, possibly a Final Four team.
• LSU gets almost everyone back and, while I wouldn't call their coach outstanding, they should be significantly better than last year's team that missed the NCAAs.

Dark horses:

• Can MSU be considered a dark horse? Most are predicting they'll fall back behind A&M and SC, but Vic has proven his ability to reload without a down season. Plus he's getting his highest-rated recruit ever in Rickea Jackson.
• Tennessee is a wildcard with its new coaching staff and the addition of Horston. I'll be very surprised if they win the SEC, but it can't be ruled out.

I understand your comment on MSU. Further they are playing well in Italy, much better than I would have predicted. They are also getting a lot of production from the freshmen. However J Holmes is still with the team this summer and her presence is huge, both on and off the court. I agree it’s hard to not think that Vic will continue his normal trend. However I can’t definitively point to the leader of this team once J Holmes is gone.