SEC 25-26 | Page 2 | The Boneyard

SEC 25-26

As far as how things look on paper, Oklahoma definitely has a favorable conference schedule.

Home games: Arkansas, Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, Miss. State, S. Carolina, Tennessee, A&M
Road games: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky, Mizzou, Vandy, Texas, A&M
 
southie said:
Yes, an annual rotation is the logical answer. But, last season's matchups were not a coincidence; it wasn't some random drawing which resulted in home-and-away matchups involving the eventual Top 5 teams in the conference standings. Perhaps last season's matchups had much more human decision-making, and this season's used last season's as a starting point with some computerized algorithm setting the matchups.
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I agree. I think last season, since it was the first with the new system that eliminates some annual rivalries, the schedule was manipulated to produce some marquee matchups and win over as many fans as possible. I have no idea how it's being done now.
 
As a fan, I am thrilled Texas gets to play LSU at home (again) and on the road. It certainly helps our SOS more than playing a team like A&M twice. It's definitely our best home conference game (along with Oklahoma and maybe Ole Miss) as we hit the road to play Carolina and Tennessee.
 
southie said:
Yes, an annual rotation is the logical answer. But, last season's matchups were not a coincidence; it wasn't some random drawing which resulted in home-and-away matchups involving the eventual Top 5 teams in the conference standings. Perhaps last season's matchups had much more human decision-making, and this season's used last season's as a starting point with some computerized algorithm setting the matchups.
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I agree with you. The SEC should strive to do home and home matchups with games that figure to matter and it should not feel obligated to rotate them fairly. Just strive to create best matchup each year. That's what any sane person trying to grow audiences would do.
 
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Gamecockfan77 said:
I agree with you. The SEC should strive to do home and home matchups with games that figure to matter and it should feel obligated to rotate them fairly. Just strive to create best matchup each year. That's what any sane person trying to grow audiences would do.
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I know there is no perfect solution. And, when some teams are competing for the regular season conference title, it will make a difference which other team they had to play twice, and which teams they only had to play once and on the road.

In volleyball last season, each team played every other school once, and played two teams twice (home and away). Now that Vandy is fielding a volleyball team for the first time, every conference team will play the other teams once (meaning only 15 matches; meaning half the teams will have 8 home conference matches, and the other half will have have 7 home conference matches). I think that's worse than how hoops does it. Volleyball will also be resurrecting a conference tournament for the time in forever; so, that played into reducing the regular season from 16 matches to 15 matches.
 
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Vowelguy said:
It’s a joke that they have 16 teams and are sticking with 16 games. Should be 18.
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IMG_5959.jpeg
 
I didn't think it was possible for LSU to schedule more of a pancake ooc schedule than last year but I've been proven wrong. LSU's entire season boils down to 7 games that are a challenge and 4 of those are home games so LSU will definitely be in the NCAA again as a host but definitely not a 1 seed unless they're able to run the table and I don't see that happening.
 
Vowelguy said:
a little clearer than the B1G
de
  1. SC
  2. Texas
  3. Okla
  4. Tenn
  5. LSU
  6. Ole Miss
  7. Vandy
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I think for TN what will determine their season is their 3 point percentage. Their system depends on a decent 3 point percentage for efficiency. If they can shoot 3 pointers at a decent clip (35% or better), I would put them in the top 3 in the SEC. If they have a poor percentage, I could see them below fifth. OK is only limited by their poor defense (especially in the half court): if they shore that up they could be a much better team this year. The biggest SEC question mark for me is KY: they could be in the top five, or they could be really terrible if the newcomers do not produce. SEC is going to be very interesting. LSU will be fine if Kim can get them to play the defense she wants (otherwise could be a long year in Baton Rouge).
 
mudcat said:
I think for TN what will determine their season is their 3 point percentage. Their system depends on a decent 3 point percentage for efficiency. If they can shoot 3 pointers at a decent clip (35% or better), I would put them in the top 3 in the SEC. If they have a poor percentage, I could see them below fifth. OK is only limited by their poor defense (especially in the half court): if they shore that up they could be a much better team this year. The biggest SEC question mark for me is KY: they could be in the top five, or they could be really terrible if the newcomers do not produce. SEC is going to be very interesting. LSU will be fine if Kim can get them to play the defense she wants (otherwise could be a long year in Baton Rouge).
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I agree to a degree about Tennessee on their 3-point shooting. We can say the same about a lot of programs and their 3-point shooting efficiency. For me, how well Tennessee does will depend on their ability to force their opponents into the Grinnell "System" basketball and that is based on a formula of, running up and down the court to a total of 150 trips, shooting the ball 94 times with 1/2 coming from 3-point range, and then getting roughly 30% of their missed shots on the offensive rebounding side of things, and then force their opponents to turn the ball over more than 30 times. That is going to be keys to the Lady Vols flipping the whole SEC on its rear end. Hopefully the Lady Vols players are working on their craft over summer break and getting their cardio up to par.

I do agree with you on Kentucky. They are a huge question mark. We all know that the Blue Bloods of the SEC are South Carolina, LSU, and Tennessee. Joined by the newbies to the conference Texas and Oklahoma. But the SEC could be wide open for a surprise team to claim that top spot. On paper, South Carolina is considered by many to be the frontrunners followed by Texas, Oklahoma, Lady Vols, and Ole Miss. But on the court is where it all matters. Kentucky could bump its way into the conversation of top dawg of the SEC. We shall see what develops.
 
JellyBean said:
We all know that the Blue Bloods of the SEC are South Carolina, LSU, and Tennessee. Joined by the newbies to the conference Texas and Oklahoma. But the SEC could be wide open for a surprise team to claim that top spot.
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I don’t know if Tennessee is that team. But SC is a question mark for me without Ashlyn Watkins. They were small in the frontcourt last season without her, and now without Fagan and Ashlyn they’re looking a bit thin to me. Maybe Okot can fill that hole but I’m skeptical. They have good depth at the wing, but that may not be enough to power through the SEC next season. That said, I wouldn’t put anything past Dawn. If anyone is going to pull this roster together it’s her.
 
Texas gets a head start on games in a competitive environment this week with their visit to Toronto for Canada Basketball's GloblJam (not a typo 😉). Not sure what the competition level will be with respect to Brazil or Japan, but their game (hopefully games) against Canada should be a good one. It was streamed on ESPN+ in 2023, the last time they held the tournament. Not sure if that is the case this year.
 
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Bone Dog said:
I don’t know if Tennessee is that team. But SC is a question mark for me without Ashlyn Watkins. They were small in the frontcourt last season without her, and now without Fagan and Ashlyn they’re looking a bit thin to me. Maybe Okot can fill that hole but I’m skeptical. They have good depth at the wing, but that may not be enough to power through the SEC next season. That said, I wouldn’t put anything past Dawn. If anyone is going to pull this roster together it’s her.
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We shall see.
 
An FYI for Texas fans curious to see this year's roster in action. They're playing the Canadian U23 roster at GloblJam tonight at 8 pm EST. Was able to confirm it can be streamed via ESPN+. From what I can tell, ESPN+ will have this game and the gold medal match up on Sunday at 6 pm EST.

edit One interesting story line will be seeing Latasha Lattimore facing her former team. As she'll be facing them twice this year as part of the Ole Miss roster, it could be interesting to see how she fares against the Longhorns tonight.
 
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Bone Dog said:
I don’t know if Tennessee is that team. But SC is a question mark for me without Ashlyn Watkins. They were small in the frontcourt last season without her, and now without Fagan and Ashlyn they’re looking a bit thin to me. Maybe Okot can fill that hole but I’m skeptical. They have good depth at the wing, but that may not be enough to power through the SEC next season. That said, I wouldn’t put anything past Dawn. If anyone is going to pull this roster together it’s her.
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Let's hope she can pull it through. Coach of the Year material perhaps.
 
cancontent said:
An FYI for Texas fans curious to see this year's roster in action. They're playing the Canadian U23 roster at GloblJam tonight at 8 pm EST. Was able to confirm it can be streamed via ESPN+. From what I can tell, ESPN+ will have this game and the gold medal match up on Sunday at 6 pm EST.

edit One interesting story line will be seeing Latasha Lattimore facing her former team. As she'll be facing them twice this year as part of the Ole Miss roster, it could be interesting to see how she fares against the Longhorns tonight.
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Texas fans, there's a lot to be excited about with this roster for the upcoming season. Aaliyah Crump was impressive last night. She didn't look out of place on the court and you wouldn't have known she's a freshman if no one said a word. Cunningham will do well in this offense of Schaefer's. She made things frustrating for Canada throughout the game.

The returning roster looked good as well. Preston and Lee look like they're ready to take the next step as sophomores. Rori and Madison continue to do what they do. Oldacre wasn't available for the game however due to a lower leg injury that happened during their game against Puerto Rico.
 
jdote33 said:
Wait... Basketball stans did we just totally miss this. Sneak peak of Texas and some of there new additions. Will be watching as we inch closer to first day of practice for teams
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I made a few posts about the event but only mentioned it could be streamed on ESPN+. Wasn't aware someone was able to get these onto YouTube or I would have shared.
 
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Yeah, you don't add a scoring machine like Latson and expect missing the Final Four for the first time since . . .
 
hoophuskee said:
I'd be shocked if SoCar isn't back in the FF. Your team is a beast again this year. As is UCONN. And Texas tough too. And I think UCLA probably too. Just like last year these are the 3-4 beasts.
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Not disagreeing, but I think the fear is the bench. Someone said something in regards to if an injury happens... Ya know the rest
 
southie said:
Yeah, you don't add a scoring machine like Latson and expect missing the Final Four for the first time since . . .
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Depth is the question. We only have 11 players on the roster.

Point: Raven, Maddie

SG: Latson, Tessa, freshman TBD maybe Makeer

Wing: Tessa, maybe Dauda or Kitts in big lineup , a freshman TBD maybe McDowell

Forward: Edwards rotating with Kitts, Dauda 3rd

Center: Okot, Tac, Kitts in Small lineup, Dauda

Dawn has a lot of work to do in November to get ready for the back to back with Duke and/or Texas/ UCLA . Hopefully the 8 deep will be settled before the SEC season kicks in.
 
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Any Oklahoma Sooner fans here? Curious to hear their take on the season. I caught a social media video of the team during a workout session. Aaliyah has a great basketball IQ. I love her energy. The future of women's basketball is in great hands.
 
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southie said:
If South Carolina is concerned about their depth, I don't know what that says about the rest of the programs 🤣
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They should be concerned. Dawn has awesome talent on her bench. But it is perhaps a bit mismatched. In the front court last season, too much pressure had to be placed on Chloe to provide the muscle in the post next to Joyce and Sania, and she was exposed in the tournament. This wasn’t fair to her. With Ashlyn stepping back next season this same problem looms and now without Sania. There are backups who can fill in for her and give Chloe some help, but each one has a huge question mark.

A similar depth problem looms in the backcourt. The starting three of Latson Johnson & Johnson look really solid, but there isn’t much backing them up. Maddy McDaniel looks really promising but her defense is occasionally sketchy and she is foul prone. Will a freshman step up? Who knows?

If everything breaks Dawn’s way, she could run the table in the SEC and make a final four run. And I don’t doubt Dawn’s ability to find the right path to this result. But things could go south as well and it wouldn’t take much to derail this train.
 
I didn't realize SC only had 11 players on their roster; thought they had 13-14 at least.
 
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