2025-26 SEC Preview
After sending two teams to the Final Four, the SEC is as strong as ever.
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After sending two teams to the Final Four in its first season as a 16-team league, the SEC returns with teams trying to get back to the top of college basketball.
South Carolina fell one step short of its goal last season, and Texas returns key players after making the Final Four for the first time in 22 years. LSU, Ole Miss, Oklahoma and Tennessee are all looking to build on trips to the second weekend, while Vanderbilt is relying on its sophomore star to get there.
Here’s a look at all 16 SEC teams, sorted by their projected order of finish in the league’s media poll.
2025-26 SEC Preseason Media Poll
South Carolina
The loss of Chloe Kitts to a season-ending ACL injury was a big blow for the preseason AP No. 2 team. In the frontcourt, the Gamecocks will have to rely more on Joyce Edwards, who was a first-team preseason all-SEC selection after averaging 12.7 points and 5.0 rebounds last season. In the backcourt, Florida State transfer Ta’Niya Latson will be South Carolina’s main scorer following Te-Hina Paopao’s graduation and MiLaysia Fulwiley’s transfer to LSU.
Texas
The Longhorns return preseason player of the year Madison Booker and standout point guard Rori Harmon from last year’s Final Four campaign and earned a No. 4 preseason ranking. Texas needs Kyla Oldacre to take a step forward at center and will likely be relying on her in a starter spot. Arizona transfer Breya Cunningham and Boston College transfer Teya Sidberry will provide needed depth in the frontcourt, and the Longhorns are expecting an immediate impact from freshman Aaliyah Crump, who was ranked fifth in her class by ESPN.
LSU
The No. 5 Tigers return the formidable duo of Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams for a third season together. Fulwiley comes into the program from South Carolina and will play point guard after being named the SEC Sixth Woman of the Year. LSU also added two top-10 freshmen in Grace Knox and ZaKiyah Johnson among a class of five. The Tigers are very strong at guard and wing but unproven in the frontcourt, where East Carolina transfer Amiya Joyner and Notre Dame transfer Kate Koval will look to make an impact.
Tennessee
After making the Sweet 16 in Kim Caldwell’s first season in charge, the Lady Vols earned a No. 8 preseason ranking and a projected top-four finish in the SEC. Talaysia Cooper returns after leading the Lady Vols with 16.6 points per game. A class of five freshmen will be needed in Caldwell’s heavy rotation. UCLA transfer Janiah Barker and LSU transfer Jersey Wolfenbarger join Zee Spearman in the frontcourt ahead of Tennessee’s season with high expectations.
Oklahoma
The No. 6 Sooners return most of their core with Raegan Beers, Payton Verhulst and Sahara Williams all returning for Oklahoma’s second SEC campaign. Beers earned a preseason all-SEC first team selection. The Sooners add Aaliyah Chavez, ESPN’s No. 3 recruit from Lubbock, Texas. Oklahoma has all the pieces for a deep postseason run and potentially a first Final Four appearance in 16 years.
Ole Miss
Ole Miss features a heavy change to its roster with eight transfers and one freshman joining just three returners. The most notable addition is former Ohio State forward Cotie McMahon, who led the Buckeyes with 16.5 points per game last season. The No. 12 Rebels also gain Latasha Lattimore from Virginia and a pair of Mississippi State transfers in Debreasha Powe and Denim DeShields. Ole Miss has lots of talent on its roster but will need to mesh fast to find success.
Vanderbilt
The No. 19 Commodores faced a major roster change over the summer when Khamil Pierre left the program, eventually ending up at NC State. SEC and USBWA Freshman of the Year Mikayla Blakes returns as Vanderbilt’s star player, and Sacha Washington comes back after missing last season due to injury. From the transfer portal, Vanderbilt brought in Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda from Texas and Aalyah Del Rosario from LSU.
Kentucky
Despite the loss of Georgia Amoore, Kentucky still earned a ranking in the preseason poll, slotting in at No. 24. The top returner for the Wildcats is Clara Strack, who averaged 15.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Teonni Key and Amelia Hassett also returned to the frontcourt. Alongside two freshmen, the Wildcats added Tonie Morgan from Georgia Tech, who averaged 13.7 points per game with the Yellow Jackets.
Alabama
The Crimson Tide lost their three leading scorers from last year’s NCAA Tournament team. Kristy Curry’s squad added four freshmen and three transfers, including Ta’Mia Scott from Middle Tennessee State and Waiata Jennings from Baylor. The year is expected to be a rebuilding year for the Crimson Tide after Sarah Ashlee Barker’s WNBA selection.
Mississippi State
The Bulldogs lost their top four scorers from last year’s team, the second of Sam Purcell’s four to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Mississippi State brings in nine newcomers against just three returners. Destiney McPhaul is the top scoring returner after scoring 8.1 points per game last season. Alongside their Magnolia State counterparts, developing chemistry early is crucial for Mississippi State to get back to the NCAA Tournament.
Florida
Liv McGill returns as the centerpiece of Florida in Kelly Rae Finley’s fifth season as head coach. Laila Reynolds’ return means the Gators bring back two double-digit scorers. Jade Weathersby joins the Gators after being UAB’s second leading scorer last season, and KN’isha Godfrey adds NCAA Tournament experience after being part of TCU’s run to the Elite Eight.
Georgia
Georgia brings back two of its three double-digit scorers from last season with Trinity Turner and Mia Woolfolk coming back. The Lady Bulldogs brought in Vera Ojenuwa from Arkansas, who led the team in rebounding. With three freshmen joining the team, Georgia is looking to take a step forward in Katie Abrahamson-Henderson’s fourth year as head coach.
Missouri
First-year head coach Kellie Harper retained leading scorer Grace Slaughter for the start of her tenure. Key additions include Illinois State transfer Shannon Dowell and Jordana Reisma from Cleveland State. This year’s squad is an important first step in what is expected to be a long-term project in Columbia.
Texas A&M
Texas A&M did not return any of its four top scorers from last season with two graduating and two transferring out. Lauren Ware is the top returning scorer who averaged 6.7 points and 6.8 rebounds last season. The Aggies have plenty of important newcomers, including Saint Peter’s transfer Fatmata Janneh.
Auburn
Larry Vickers was hired as Auburn’s new coach after spending nine years leading Norfolk State to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances. Key additions include Texas State transfer Ja’Mia Harris, Rutgers transfer Mya Petticord and Quanirah Montague from Mississippi State. Kaitlyn Duhon returns after playing just eight games due to injury.
Arkansas
The Kelsi Musick era begins in Fayetteville after Mike Neighbors was fired last season. Taleyah Jones led Oral Roberts in scoring last year and transferred to Arkansas to stay with her coach. Emily Robinson did the same after averaging 10 points per game in her sophomore season. The Razorbacks are looking to rebuild with their new coach and get back to the NCAA Tournament soon.
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