South Carolina women's basketball: SEC Preview (part 2)

South Carolina Women’s Basketball: News • Recruiting • Schedule • Roster • Stats • SEC • Polls • Scholarships

Mississippi State (15-14 (6-10), No postseason, Projected finish: 8)

Key departures: Rickea Jackson (midseason), 

Key arrivals: Jessika Carter (redshirted last season), Debreasha Powe

Number of new players: Seven

Outlook: For the third straight offseason, Mississippi State has experienced major roster turnover and is on its fourth coach in as many seasons. Few expected this level of chaos when Vic Schaefer left, but here we are. The Bulldogs get back Carter, who sat out last season for personal reasons, and return Anastasia Hayes. Hayes averaged 18.6 points per game last season and is the SEC’s leading returning scorer.

“We had a scrimmage the other day and she was in the backcourt at the free-throw line, and I think she took four dribbles and passed three kids and laid it up,” new head coach Sam Purcell said. “I said, ooh baby, this is going to be a fun year to coach her. It’s truly a blessing. I’m excited for her last year.”

Missouri (18-13 (7-9), WNIT First Round, Projected finish: 12)

Key departures: Aijha Blackwell, LaDhazia Williams

Key arrivals: Katlyn Gilbert, Averi Kroenke

Number of new players: Three

Outlook: The good news is that Missouri returns nine players, including Hayley Frank and Lauren Hansen, who pick-and-rolled South Carolina to death in the upset of the top-ranked Gamecocks.

The bad news is that the players the Tigers lost left a pretty big hole. Blackwell was second-team all-SEC and a double-double machine, and Williams was a starter-turned-sixth woman. Blackwell’s exit was particularly contentious since it involved a Twitter feud with former player Sophie Cunningham. Gilbert was productive two years ago at Notre Dame before a foot injury limited her last season, and Kroenke was a top-75 recruit, but no matter how you spin it Missouri lost more than it added to a team that missed the NCAA tournament last season.

“We want to build from last year,” Robin Pingeton said. “Obviously we weren’t satisfied. Felt like we were just right there on the cusp of getting into the NCAA Tournament. We didn’t control what we needed to control, and that was probably win one more game. It’s fueled our fire all summer long. Our players have worked extremely hard, and I’m really excited about that locker room. That culture piece has always been huge for us.”

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Ole Miss (23-9 (10-6), NCAA First Round, Projected finish: 5)

Key departures: Shakira Austin

Key arrivals: Myah Taylor, Brooke Moore

Number of new players: Eight

Outlook: Yolett McPhee-McCuin has slowly built Ole Miss through strong recruiting and savvy use of the transfer portal. She led Ole Miss from an 0-16 record in 2020, to four wins in 2021, to 10-6 and fourth place last season. In some ways, this will be McPhee-McCuin’s toughest test. Generational players like Austin don’t just walk through the door every other year. 

Nobody is expecting another fourth-place finish from the Rebels this season, but if they go .500 or better it will be a real testament to the talent McPhee-McCuin has assembled. Angel Baker, last season’s sixth-woman of the year, and Madison Scott, now take charge of the rebuilt Rebels.

“This is Madison’s third year, and so we’ve talked about leadership immediately at the end of her sophomore campaign,” McPhee-McCuin said. “We have a good group that is around Maddie, and she doesn’t have to feel like the weight is on her shoulders. Our team is going to be completely diverse and versatile and just focus on playing advantage basketball. That’s going to fit with how much development she’s had in the offseason.”

South Carolina (35-2 (15-1), National champions, Projected finish: 1)

Key departures: Destanni Henderson

Key arrivals: Kierra Fletcher, Ashlyn Watkins

Number of new players: Three

Outlook: South Carolina returns almost everyone from last season’s national championship team, including national player of the year Aliyah Boston. South Carolina was the unanimous preseason number one and is the favorite to repeat. The only question mark is how the Gamecocks will replace Destanni Henderson, the star of the title game. Fletcher was a four-year starter at Georgia Tech and Raven Johnson is a former high school national player of the year, so the point guard position should be in good hands.

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Tennessee (25-9 (11-5), NCAA Sweet 16, Projected finish: 2)

Key departures: Rae Burrell, Keyen Green

Key arrivals: Rickea Jackson, Jillian Hollingshead

Number of new players:

Outlook: Tennessee looks like the biggest threat to South Carolina in the SEC, and a Final Four contender. The biggest question facing the Lady Vols is a matter of luxury – how will Kellie Harper put all these pieces together. Jackson was leading the SEC in scoring last season before she transferred. Tamari Key is the best post player this side of Aliyah Boston. Jordan Houston does a little bit of everything and very well. 

But there’s only one basketball and only five players on the court at a time. Tennessee plays a challenging non-conference schedule, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Lady Vols drop a game or two while Harper is mixing and matching, but have it figured out by conference play.

“I think they bring something special, each one of them,” Harper said. “They bring something different. But they’re all very explosive, and they’re veteran. They’re very experienced and seasoned, and when we get them out in practice, you can tell. They caught on very quickly. I think their college basketball experience allowed them to do so.”

Texas A&M (14-15 (4-12), No postseason, Projected finish: 11)

Key departures: Kayla Wells, Destiny Pitts

Key arrivals: Janiah Barker, Sydney Bowles

Number of new players: Four

Outlook: Texas A&M had 17 straight winning seasons under Gary Blair and won the SEC just two seasons ago, so Joni Taylor isn’t taking over a total rebuilding project. She knows how to follow a legend – Taylor took over for Andy Landers at Georgia.

“There’s no pressure,” Taylor said. “I took over for Andy Landers, Hall of Famer, legend. I consider it an honor and a privilege to be considered to be someone who follows a legend. For me, there’s an expectation there and a standard and a responsibility, but isn’t that what you want when you’re stepping into a coaching role or a position of leadership? You want to have those opportunities.”

Taylor is off to a good start. She got Janiah Barker, 2022’s third-ranked prospect, to decommit from Georgia and follow her to College Station. Barker has the size and skill to be the cornerstone of Taylor’s program beginning this season.

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Vanderbilt (16-19 (4-12), WNIT Third Round, Projected finish: 14)

Key departures: Brinae Alexander

Key arrivals: Ryanne Allen, Amauri WIlliams

Number of new players: Five

Outlook: Injuries have crushed Vanderbilt’s hopes for this season. Leading returning scorer Iyana Moore, Jordyn Cambridge, an All-Defensive team player, and Kaylon Smith were all lost for the season. They would have been the top three returning players in minutes played, teo of the top three rebounders, and three of the top four in scoring. 

The Commodores are down to just nine healthy players, including three freshmen. They’ll have to figure out the college game in a hurry.

“That is what it is,” Shea Ralph said. “That’s part of sports. All nine of these players can be contributors and will be expected to be contributors.”

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