South Carolina women's basketball: SEC Preview (Part 3)

South Carolina Women’s Basketball: News • Recruiting • Schedule • Roster • Stats • SEC Standings • NCAA Polls • Scholarship Chart

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Conference play begins Thursday with all 14 SEC teams in action. Catch up on how each team faired in the first half of the season with part two of GamecockCentral’s SEC Preview.

Read Part 1 here.

Read Part 2 here.

(NET rankings are as of January 2, 2024.)

South Carolina (12-0)
Preseason projection: 2
NET ranking: 1
Best win: 78-69 vs Utah
Worst loss: None
Player to watch: The Gamecocks’ revamped perimeter offense has gotten most of the attention, and for good reason, but when things get tight they still want to run everything through Kamilla Cardoso inside. Few other teams can match up with Cardoso physically, but South Carolina has to keep her motivated and involved. Cardoso is averaging 13.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks, but the most impressive part of her game might be the 2.3 assists.
Overview: Rumors of South Carolina’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. The Gamecocks graduated all five starters from last season yet they might be better this year. Conference play is a different challenge, but South Carolina is the favorite to win the SEC and make another Final Four appearance.

Tennessee (7-5)
Preseason projection: 3
NET ranking: 74
Best win: 76-73 vs Oklahoma
Worst loss: 73-62 vs MTSU
Player to watch: Tennessee disintegrated while Rickea Jackson was out with an injury, and it’s clear the Lady Vols will go only as far as Jackson can drag them. She’s averaging 19.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, so Jackson is entirely capable of leading them to some wins.
Overview: Things are rocky in Knoxville. To Tennessee’s credit, four of the five losses were to ranked teams, but they are still losses. Losing Jackson for eight games is a tough blow, but good teams aren’t entirely dependent on one player. Tennessee has the worst scoring defense in the SEC, something that won’t suddenly be fixed now that Jackson is back. 

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Texas A&M (12-1)
Preseason projection: 8
NET ranking: 24
Best win: 63-52 vs Kansas
Worst loss: 72-58 at Purdue
Player to watch: We only got flashes of Janiah Barker last season because of an injury, but this season we get the full show. She hasn’t disappointed, averaging a team-high 13.3 points along with 8.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Overview: The Aggies have feasted on a weak schedule, but with so many new faces after a season derailed by injuries it’s easy to understand why Joni Taylor went that direction. The Aggies certainly appear to have gelled, leading the SEC in scoring defense and solidly in the NCAA Tournament conversation.

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Vanderbilt (13-1)
Preseason projection: 14
NET ranking: 58
Best win: 68-53 vs Iowa State
Worst loss: 70-62 at NC State
Player to watch: Sacha Washington may be Vanderbilt’s best player, but let’s recognize Jordyn Cambridge. Cambridge (the older sister of Kennedy and Jaloni) has missed two full seasons due to serious injuries, and there was no guarantee she would play this season, or play at Vanderbilt, let alone be this productive. She is averaging 14.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 4.6 steals, tops in the SEC and second in the nation.
Overview: Vanderbilt was picked to finish last in the SEC, but the Commodores have only one loss – a tight game at #3 NC State. Vandy hasn’t beaten any ranked teams, but that shouldn’t take away from how remarkable the turnaround has been in Shea Ralph’s third season. 

Biggest surprise (good): There have been a lot of pleasant surprises, but Vanderbilt’s success has been almost shocking. Vanderbilt went 12-19 last season and has already surpassed that win total.

Biggest surprise (bad): It has to be Tennessee. Even when you factor in the injury to Rickea Jackson, this season has been a disappointment. The season goals went from competing for the SEC crown to trying to salvage an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Revised SEC Champion prediction: Before the season, most people expected a two-team race with LSU edging South Carolina. It still looks like a two-team race, but now give South Carolina the edge over LSU.

Revised Player of the Year prediction: Angel Reese was the preseason pick, but her early season sabbatical may have opened the door for a different contender. She probably still wins, but this will be decided over the next two months. Keep an eye on Aliyah Matharu and Jerkaila Jordan, among others.

Midseason All-SEC team: If we voted today, I think the (positionless) All-SEC team would be Aneesah Morrow, Te-Hina Paopao, Taliah Scott, Jordyn Cambridge, and Sarah Ashlee Barker. 

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