by Scott Dean
Special to LSUsports.net
Midway through the season, here are my predictions of how the Southeastern Conference women’s basketball race will turn out.
SEC Champion – Tennessee
SEC Runner-up – Auburn
SEC Coach of the Year – Jim Foster, Vanderbilt
SEC Player of the Year – Kelly Miller, Georgia
SEC Freshman of the Year – LaToya Thomas, Mississippi State
1. Tennessee 11-2, 1-0
The Lady Vols are still the class of the league. Until someone knocks them off, they will always be that way. Tennessees two losses have come at the hands of UConn and Louisiana Tech while they have owned everyone else they have played. This past week, the Lady Vols manhandled an LSU team that is one of the best in the nation. A win over Georgia on January 17 would solidify Tennessees claim to the top spot in the conference. Led by All-Americans Tamika Catchings and Semeka Randall, the Lady Vols are ready to return to the Final Four and reclaim a national title that belonged to them for three years straight before last season.
2. Auburn 12-2, 1-1
With 11 of 12 wins by 23 points or more, Auburn has proved they will be a team to be dealt with. A heartbreaking 2 point loss at Kentucky this past week gives the Tigers a costly early defeat in their race for the conference title. LeCoe Willingham leads the SECs best rebounding team and she has recorded double-digit rebounds in her last three games. The Tigers rebounding prowess along with their conference best turnover margin. Two wins this week at home vs. Alabama and on the road vs. Vanderbilt would be a big step for this top 10 team.
3. LSU 11-3, 2-1
Beginning the season, LSU looked to be one of the best teams in the nation. However, the loss of the teams only true point guard, Kisha James has hurt the team in pressure situations. Guards Marie Ferdinand 2nd in the SEC in scoring (17.6), 2nd in assists (6.07) and 2nd in steals (3.43) — and Katrina Hibbert 18th in the SEC in scoring (13.6), 1st in assists (7.21), and 1st in steals (3.43) have picked up the slack in a big way, and the Tigers are beginning to get the production they expect out of DeTrina White, who leads the league in rebounding (9.1). The Tigers only flaw is their league worst rebounding margin (-1.7). With two wins in three SEC games (at Georgia, vs. Tennessee, vs. Mississippi State), the Lady Tigers survived the toughest part of their schedule.
4. Georgia 15-2, 1-1
Last seasons Final Four representative from the SEC has picked up right where it left off a year ago. The Bulldogs have as good an inside-outside game as anyone in the conference between Kelly Miller and Tawana McDonald. Miller is in the top 10 in the league in scoring (5th with 16.3 point/game), assists (10th with 4.71/game), steals (9th with 2.41/game) and free throw percentage (3rd at 84.7%). McDonald anchors the inside with 8.8 rebounds/game, 2nd best in the SEC. With all their weapons, Georgia should be able to make a run at Tennessee next Monday in Knoxville. A win there and the Bulldogs would be in the drivers seat for the SEC title.
5. Vanderbilt 13-2, 1-0
The surprise team of the league. Earlier in the decade, Vandy was a national powerhouse, but now, it is fighting just to be recognized by its own conference. The Commodores have won 12 straight games, with the closest being by 13 points. Sophomore Zuzi Klimesova has been on a tear averaging 16.5 points, 8 rebounds, 3.5 steals, and 3 assists in the past week in being named SEC Player of the Week. Klimesova is tops on a team that leads the SEC in field goal percentage. The Commodores have also held opponents to 48.8 points/game, good enough for best in the league.
6. Mississippi State 11-2, 0-2
by the top freshman and leading scorer in the SEC in LoToya Thomas, Mississippi State raced out to an 11-0 start. However, conference losses at Florida and LSU have brought the Bulldogs back down to earth. In the midst of a two game slide, Mississippi State looks forward to three winable home games before seeing the likes of Alabama, Auburn and LSU. The Bulldogs have the abiltiy to upset a top ranked team as they demonstrated with a 74-72 win over Louisiana Tech early on. If the Bulldogs can get Thomas and the conference leader in 3-point percentage Cynthia Hall going, they will be tough to stop. Dont let the 0-2 SEC record fool you, MSU is for real.
7. Kentucky 9-4, 1-1
The Wildcats could be the biggest surprise in the league behind Vanderbilt. Close losses to top-ranked UConn and defending NCAA Champion Purdue along with a win over Auburn is a definite sign Kentucky will not be an easy win on any schedules this season. However, every game will be a crucial one for Kentucky if they are to earn a berth in the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats biggest problem is they face a gauntlet of a schedule with January dates against Vanderbilt, LSU, Alabama, and two vs. Tennessee. LaTonya McDole has been hot, leading the team in scoring in four of the last five games, and will need to continue her production if Kentucky is to survive their schedule.
8. Florida 10-3, 1-0
Florida is a balanced team that can hurt you in a number of ways. Four Lady Gators have scored at least 20 points in a game this year and three have recorded at least 10 reabounds. A 13 point win at home over Mississippi State is a big statement for Florida. Like Alabama, the Gators face the brunt of their schedule in February, so they have an opportunity to string together some wins and possibly make a run at the SEC title.
9. Alabama 10-4, 0-1
Alabama has put together 10 wins in the first half of the season, but none have been against a ranked team and their 2-3 pre-conference road record is not a good sign for the Crimson Tide. However a schedule that features five of the teams six toughest games in February will give Alabama time to come around. Every game is crucial for the Tide if they want to be dancing in March. For that to happen, they need to improve on their SEC worst turnover margin.
10. Arkansas 9-3, 0-0
With three losses in its last four games, Arkansas is reeling. But its hard for the Lady Backs to look forward as they have dates at Tennessee and at home against LSU this week. All that followed by two road games. For Arkansas to make a splash in this years SEC race, it will have to ride the shoulders of Wendi Willits, 7th in the SEC in scoring with 16.0 points/game, and Lonniya Bragg, 7th in the SEC in rebounding with 7.8 boards/game.
11. South Carolina 10-4, 0-1
The Gamecocks have had trouble winning on the road early on this season, posting a 2-4 record away from Columbia, S.C. South Carolina is a team that will rely on its starting five to produce and basically win the game for them. Shaunzinski Gortman has established herself as one of the most versatile players in the conference as she is among the league leaders in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. Despite the early 10-1 record, South Carolina does not look to have a winable conference game until February.
12. Ole Miss 10-3, 0-1
Ole Miss could be 0-7 in conference play before they know what happened. January games against Vandy, Mississippi State, LSU, Georgia Alabama twice and an early Februaruy match up with Mississippi State could have the Rebels winless in conference play despite how good they are. Having the SECs worst scoring offense (70.0 points/game) will not help Ole Miss at all in their tough early schedule.