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SEC 2009-2010 Preview: Back to the Future!?
By Bob Corwin
Correspondent
Photo Caption: LSU’s senior guard Allison Hightower was selected as the SEC’s preseason Player of the Year by media covering the conference. The Tigers are expected to finish at or near the top of the SEC as their young talents mature this year.
Photo Credit: Courtesy LSU/Steve Franz
If you only casually followed the SEC in 2008-2009, you might have scratched your head to see schools like Auburn and Vanderbilt at the top of the regular season standings with old perennial contenders Tennessee and LSU farther down the chart. As the 2009-2010 season is about to begin, standard bearers of prior years, namely Tennessee and LSU, appear ready to re-claim the top spots in the conference.
Briefly looking back…
The 2008-2009 season may have marked an all-time low in SEC national prestige, yet seven conference teams were awarded NCAA bids. Four went out in the second round. Regular-season conference champion Auburn lost badly to Rutgers which was hosting the first two rounds. LSU, also an early round host, got put out at home by eventual national finalist Louisville. Florida was crushed by the Connecticut juggernaut in Storrs. Mississippi State (a bright spot for the conference) upset Texas before losing, 64-58, to Ohio State in Columbus. Tennessee suffered its greatest post-season humiliation ever with a 71-55 first-round loss to Ball State. Georgia, perhaps a questionable selection to begin with as they were only seventh in the conference a down year for the SEC, lost to Arizona State while playing just down the road from home in Duluth, Georgia.
SEC tournament champion Vanderbilt lasted the longest by getting to the Sweet 16 where they lost a tight, 78-74, contest to Maryland. Thus the league which has put multiple teams in the Elite Eight had none reach that level.
Why was the SEC down in 2008-2009?
LSU and Tennessee were playing large numbers of freshmen. Auburn lost key interior player Jordan Greenleaf to a knee injury soon after their early season win over Ohio State and although they did well in conference, were never quite the same thereafter. Perennial power Georgia had little depth and was often forced to play their starting guards too long. Vanderbilt did about as well as it could have with its limited post play, particularly after their major inside scorer Hannah Tuomi went down. If anything, Florida and Mississippi State exceeded expectations.
Turning the page to this season…
Tennessee and LSU now have teams with more experience, be they still relatively young. Both could be Elite Eight teams come next March. Mississippi State returns the core of its NCAA Tournament team and Georgia has added much needed depth to its roster. These four schools appeared to be the prime contenders for the SEC regular season title.
SEC coaches repeatedly stressed the theme of parity at this year’s conference Media Day, emphasizing the strength of the conference top to bottom. That may sound good but does it match up with reality? Probably not. Beyond the four teams just mentioned lies a cluster of teams—South Carolina, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Arkansas—all of which should all vie for NCAA bids but none of which appears to have the offensive arsenal needed to finish first in the league in the regular season.
Then come the bottom four—this year made up of Florida, Auburn, Alabama and Mississippi. Florida and Auburn lost key players from the teams that took them to the NCAA tournament last year; their replacements are not apparent. Alabama and Mississippi do not appear to have enough firepower to run with the big dogs but could take games from the middle group. If true parity does exist this season, each of these should notch at least one win over a team in the top four.
What’s New this Year?
Conference members will play 16 games amongst themselves—up two from last year. For the bottom feeder, that means two more tough in-conference opponents. But for those vying for top the top—for example, for the Tennessee Lady Vols who year-in and year-out have had one of the toughest non-conference schedules of any team in Division I—it means two fewer national match-ups.
The SEC Tournament shifts back to the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia next March after last year’s trek to Little Rock, Arkansas, which saw below average crowds for the event. In 2011 the tournament will return to Nashville, Tennessee, where attendance has never been a problem.
The SEC recently signed a contract with ESPN which is expected by league coaches to make the SEC the most nationally televised women’s basketball league in the country.
How Many out of the SEC for this Year’s “Big Dance?”
Last year, the NCAA tapped the top seven SEC finishers to take part in March Madness. Given how the teams performed in the regular season and then in the post-season, the conference deserved fewer bids. If this crop of SEC teams is in fact collectively better than last year, the conference will likely reap another seven invitations. In rating the league, the top four are almost certain NCAA locks and the next four are legitimate contenders for a bid. Teams listed nine and below appear, diplomatically, to be in “rebuilding” years.
SEC Trivia
Three SEC women’s basketball head coaches played varsity basketball for the university they now coach. Can you name them? [Answer at the end of this article.]
Sizing Up the Teams
Each SEC team is listed below in its predicted regular-season order of finish.
| 1. |  | Tennessee |
Last year’s record: 22-11 overall, 9-5 conference; Conference finish: No. 5
2009-10 National Rankings: Full Court - No. 5; AP - No. 8; USA Today - No. 9
2009-10 Media SEC Conference Ranking: No. 2
The Lady Vols were back in the gym last March almost before the ink used to describe their 2009 first-round NCAA defeat was dry. On Media Day when asked what she would have done differently in coaching last year’s collection of novices, Coach Pat Summitt responded, “It is a guessing game. I don’t think I would have changed anything. If anything, I would be more demanding.”
It is safe to say this year’s group will be mentally tougher. And the key players of last year’s “Baby Vols”—including the talented Angie Bjorklund (6-0, Jr., G), Shekinna Stricklen (6-2, So., G/F) and Glory Johnson (6-3, So., F)—now have the benefit of a year’s seasoning.
If the Lady Vols do finish first, look for Stricklen to be a strong Conference Player-of-the-Year candidate as well as an All-American. Also critical to the team’s success this year will be the return of Kelley Cain (6-6, So., C) and Vicki Baugh (6-4, Jr., F). Both had knees issues last season. According to reports, Cain is further along although both have been practicing with the team. However, Amber Gray (6-1, So., F) will not play this season for medical reasons.
 | Photo Caption: For Tennessee to finish atop the league, Shekinna Stricklen’s performance will be critical. Stricklen averaged 13.3 points and 5.9 boards per game last season. If she is able to improve on that, she may challenge LSU’s Allison Hightower for Player of the Year. |
| Photo Credit: Courtesy UT Media Relations |
Add in the big-time three-point range of newcomer Taber Spani (6-1, Fr., G) and the athleticism of Kamiko Williams (5-11, Fr., G) and the Tennessee wings look more than secure.
| Photo Caption: Freshman Taber Spani will add depth to the Tennessee back court as well as a three-point threat. |  |
| Photo Caption: Courtesy UT Media Relations |
The biggest question for the Vols this season remains the point guard position. Look for diminutive Briana Bass (5-2, So., PG), Stricklen and occasionally Alicia Manning (6-1, So., G/F) to play the position. The Lady Vols have commitments from two more point guards in the 2010 prep class but that does not help them this year.
If they can manage to make their point-by-committee situation work and either Baugh or Cain can contribute regularly, Tennessee will be hard to stop all the way to the Final Four. If not, Summitt’s young team (no seniors on this roster) will have to wait until next year to reach the heights of the sport. An early season match-up with nationally ranked Baylor should give us some idea of just how much the Lady Vols have progressed from last March.
| 2. |  | Louisiana State University |
Last year’s record: 19-11 overall, 10-4 conference; Conference finish: No. 3
2009-10 National Rankings: Full Court - No. 7; AP - No. 9; USA Today - No. 17
2009-10 Media SEC Conference Ranking: No. 1
Coach Van Chancellor spent the first portion of his Media Day presentation asking rhetorically why the SEC media had voted his Lady Tigers as their pick to finish first in the conference ahead of Pat Summitt’s Lady Vols. He then went on to say that in his opinion there was no clear-cut favorite to win the SEC. When asked where he had seen the most maturation in his young team, the Hall-of-Fame Coach answered “We have understanding of the concepts of what we are doing. We couldn’t spell “concept” last year.”
The Lady Tigers are, like Tennessee, still young. They do have a quality senior in Allison Hightower (5-10, Sr., G) who was picked as the conference pre-season Player of the Year by the SEC media voters.
“It is a true honor,” said Hightower, adding, “I don’t pay attention to it right now. I want to focus on team and goals for the year.”
If there’s a weakness in Hightower’s game, it is her three-point accuracy, which was an unimpressive 16.7 percent last season. Hightower said that she had been working on her shooting in the off-season, particularly trying to improve her long-ball.
LSU may be getting some help in that department from a newcomer, 5-9 freshman guard Adrienne Webb, last season’s Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year. Webb proved deadly from long range during lone LSU’s exhibition match against Loyola New Orleans. Look for Bianca Lutley (5-11, Fr., G), another new face, to come off the bench to contribute perimeter scoring.
 | Photo Caption: The Tigers hope newcomers Adrienne Webb and, above, Bianca Lutley will add to their long-range arsenal. |
| Photo Credit: LSU/Steve Franz |
With the conference appearing up on the whole from last season, it will be a challenge for LSU to again hold opponents to 52.5 points per game as they did last year. As a result, the Tigers are likely to need a bit more than last year’s 60.1 points per game if they are to fulfill expectations.
Besides Hightower, the major offensive threat last year was LaSondra Barrett (6-2, So., F), primarily an inside threat, though she can also step out of the paint to score. Look for Katherine Graham (5-11, Jr., G/F) to step up her scoring along the baseline. The point guard duties will be at least initially entrusted to Latear Eason (5-8, Jr., G) who last year was more of a defender than offensive threat. Destini Hughes (5-10, So., G), highly regarded out of high school, didn’t get the job done at the point as she shot poorly (28.9 percent from the field). Though she started in 10 games, she served primarily as a bench player.
| 3. |  | Mississippi State |
Last year’s record: 23-10 overall, 8-6 conference; Conference finish: No. 6
2009-10 National Rankings: Not nationally ranked (received votes)
2009-10 Media SEC Conference Ranking: No. 5
Mississippi State is a team that the media, both nationally and within the SEC region, seems to love to downplay or ignore. The Bulldogs concluded last season with a NCAA Tournament win over Texas in Columbus before losing (by only six points) to the Buckeyes on their home court. Still, though Ohio State is considered a consensus preseason Top 10 pick and Texas is placed 14 or better in the polls, Mississippi State gets no love: They don’t appear in anyone’s preseason Top 25 and were picked to finish fifth in the SEC by its media voters. One SEC beat writer explained that Mississippi State has never finished higher than fourth (2002-2003) so, “Why start them higher now?”
So, were the Lady Bulldogs wiped out by graduation to justify this nullification of their past season’s finish? Not quite! The Bulldogs return four starters, including their top three scorers. Add to that point guard Marneshia Richard (5-8, Sr., G) returns after missing last season due to knee problems. In her last season on the court, Richard averaged 9.8 points per game and 4.6 assists per game. Her return will allow guards Alexis Rack (5-7, Sr.) and Armelie Lumanu (5-9, Sr.) to spend more time at their more natural wing positions. Rack led the team in scoring last year, Lumanu, while scoring 11.1 points per game, is better known in the league for her physical defense. Indeed, this was another team that did it with defense, only giving up 55.2 points per game on average for last season.
The Bulldog perimeter is deep off the bench. Ashlie Billingslea (5-6, Jr., G) who started her SEC career at South Carolina, likely will get time backing up the point. Diamber Johnson (5-7, So., G) is very quick and contributed more as last season wore on. Will Ashley Jones (5-11, Fr., G), a Florida high school all-state performer, even get time?
So, where might the problem be? At center, Chanel Mokango (6-5, Sr.) has a game similar to that of Michelle Snow of the Atlanta Dream. That’s fine, as far as it goes, but that’s about it for meaningful size. Look for a lot of one in and four out from Coach Sharon Fanning-Otis (name change marks recent marriage).
Fanning-Otis pointed to the greater continuity that her team has this season. The roster has eight seniors, and their experience should count for something. Still, a challenging schedule should leave the Lady Bulldogs with several losses before January (last year, they had just one loss, to Maryland, in that time frame) as they play Maryland (re-building this year) plus nationally ranked Texas, Rutgers and Xavier before entering SEC play in January. Will the Lady Bulldogs break new ground or obey the established pecking order and barely crack the Top 25 if at all?
| 4. |  | Georgia |
Last year’s record: 18-14 overall, 7-7 conference; Conference finish: No. 7
2009-10 National Rankings: Full Court - No. 25; AP - No. 21; USA Today - Not Ranked (received votes)
2009-10 Media SEC Conference Ranking: No. 3
Coach Andy Landers was guardedly optimistic about this year’s edition of his Lady Bulldogs.
“We must stay healthy,” Landers stated. “We can’t afford to lose another veteran.”
He was referring to the preseason loss of Christy Marshall (6-0, Sr., G), who was expected to start at the wing but was lost for the season to a knee injury.
With Marshall out, the success of the team will largely hinge on the veteran trio of Ashley Houts (5-6, Sr., PG), Angel Robinson (6-5, Sr., P) and Porsha Phillips (6-2, Jr., F). Landers believes that the team had “lost some of its work ethic” last season as they have played with a short roster. This year, these three seasoned talents will lead a deep roster with seven new faces, including highly touted freshmen Anne Marie Armstrong (6-3, F), Jasmine Hassell (6-2, F), Jasmine James (5-9, G) and Tamika Willis (6-2, F). The depth looks greatest at the middle positions. Houts, above all, needs to stay healthy; her loss would leave the team stripped at the point.
016WMsmall.jpg) | Photo Caption: With the loss of Christy Marshall, Georgia will be depending heavily on two seniors—guard Ashley Houts (left), an honorable mention State Farm coaches’ All-American last season, and post Angel Robinson (below left), who led the SEC in rebounding with 9.3 boards per game. |
011WMsmall.jpg) | Photo Credit: Photos Courtesy UGA Sports Communications/Dale Zanine |
Kudos to Georgia for taking on a tough early-season schedule, when many teams have calendared matches that can be relied upon to provide little real opposition. November visits from Oklahoma and Rutgers should provide a measuring stick for Georgia’s ability to get back to a Sweet 16 level.
| 5. |  | South Carolina |
Last year’s record: 10-18 overall, 2-12 conference; Conference finish: No. 11
2009-10 National Rankings: Not nationally ranked (received votes)
2009-10 Media SEC Conference Ranking: No. 10
Gamecock Coach Dawn Staley had her Media Day session late in the afternoon after the heavyweights (in particular Summitt and Chancellor) had come and gone. For a good portion of her hour she sat there with barely anyone to talk to. In the SEC, you have to earn your stripes. All the former Olympian could point to was an 11th place finish last year, and the SEC scribes responded by promoting her team one slot for this season.
Wasn’t that more than enough with two of last year’s top three scorers (Brionna Dickerson and Demetress Adams) having completed their eligibility, they might ask. Probably not!
The biggest news is that transfer Valerie Nainima (5-5, Jr., G), previously at Long Island University, is now eligible after sitting out the mandatory transfer year. Nainima had previously been Player of the Year in the Northeast Conference. Staley was emphatic in stating this relative unknown is “by far our best player.”
La’Keisha Sutton (5-9, So., G), an SEC All-Freshman selection last year, is expected to play the wing opposite Nainima, while highly touted newcomer Ieasia Walker (5-8, Fr., PG) will vie with Samone Kennedy (5-4, Jr., PG) for point guard duties. Sutton echoed Staley’s praise saying Nainima will be the biggest surprise of the SEC for this season.
In last spring’s late signing period, Staley inked consensus Top-Five recruit Kelsey Bone (6-5, Fr., C). While that’s clearly another piece of good news for the South Carolina program, Staley does not want people to expect too much of Bone too soon. “She has the ability to dominate but needs to get in better shape [but has lost 20 pounds]. She needs to get used to playing at this level every day. We are patient with her.” Regardless, expect Bone to be the leading candidate for SEC Freshman of the Year.
Given the lack of experience (no seniors), the Gamecocks may be closer to the group of teams listed below them than to the four teams above them, but they should still finish higher than the bottom third of the league. November poses immediate challenges with NCAA tournament teams Charlotte and San Diego State on the schedule along with nationally ranked Oklahoma and Notre Dame.
| 6. |  | Kentucky |
Last year’s record: 16-16 overall, 5-9 conference; Conference finish: No. 10
2009-10 National Rankings: Not nationally ranked
2009-10 Media SEC Conference Ranking: No. 11
Kentucky Coach Matthew Mitchell was optimistic about the possibility of his Wildcats moving up in the SEC pecking order this season. “We have a lot of very athletic players but not very tall,” he stated. “It is not as big a league as it was in the recent past.”
Last year’s campaign was hurt by nagging injuries, particularly at the point guard position. Energetic Amber Smith (5-6, Jr., G) is expected to start at point guard this season and has been practicing without the knee brace that slowed her down some last year. Athletic post Lydia Watkins (6-1, Sr., F) is also healthy after missing all but 12 games last year.
| Photo Caption: Amber Smith will return to action at the point and has recently lost the knee brace that was something of an impediment last year. |  |
| Photo Credit: Courtesy University of Kentucky Media Relations |
Besides Smith, last season’s leading scorer, post Victoria Dunlap (6-1. Jr., F), returns along with third leading scorer Amani Franklin (5-11, Sr., G/F) who operates wing to baseline. Transfers Rebecca Gray (5-10, So., G), previously at North Carolina, should add a long-range threat while Crystal Riley (5-5, So., G), previously at LSU, will add depth at point once she becomes eligible after the fall semester ends in December. Amongst freshmen, Mitchell sees the most immediate help from A’dia Mathies (5-9, G) who attacks the basket and can contribute at all three perimeter positions and from Brittany Henderson (6-2, F) who will play primarily in the paint.
| Photo Caption: Kentucky Coach Matthew Mitchell is expecting big things from his freshmen—guard A’dia Mathies (right) and Brittany Henderson. |  |
| Photo Credit: Courtesy University of Kentucky Media Relations |
While it appears depth has been added, the question remains if the Wildcats have a star player who ranks amongst the league’s best. Amongst returning players, Dunlap, a former track star now concentrating solely on basketball, has the best shot at going from high quality athlete to high quality player. A modest pre-conference schedule, featuring only preseason ranked Xavier and Louisville, should energize the Wildcats with a glossy record heading into conference play.
| 7. |  | Vanderbilt |
Last year’s record: 26-9 overall, 10-4 conference; Conference finish: No. 2
2009-10 National Rankings: Full Court - Not ranked; AP - No. 22; USA Today - No. 20
2009-10 Media SEC Conference Ranking: No. 4
Although she would never say it, the star of this edition of the Commodores may have to be Coach Melanie Balcomb. The New Jersey native ranks amongst the nation’s elite in getting the most out of the player personnel resources at her disposal and the 2009-2010 season appears to be handing her a deck with relatively few cards to play. Gone are the 2008-09 SEC Conference Champion’s team leaders, Christina Wirth (lead scorer) and Jennifer Risper (defender, rebounder, and all-around gritty player). On top of that, Tia Gibbs, who contributed critical outside shooting during Vandy’s post-season run last year, transferred to Louisville after her freshman year.
Adding to the parade of calamities, Balcomb was uncertain as to whether prize freshman Stephanie Holzer (6-4 C) will play this year having been just re-operated on in mid October to repair a foot injury that didn’t heal properly the first time. Normal recovery time for the surgery was quoted at three to four months.
Regardless, Balcomb remains optimistic in discussing her team’s toughness, tenacity and versatility. The best news appears to be Hannah Tuomi (6-1, Jr., C/F) is again healthy after missing last year’s post-season run. Expect Tuomi to be the team’s primarily interior threat. Merideth Marsh (5-6, Sr., G) is the only other returning double-digit scorer. Jessica Mooney (5-8 Sr G) has shown herself to be a quality athlete but an inconsistent scorer; she averages 7.1 points per game on 37.1 percent shooting from the field. The point position is in good hands with Jence Rhoads (5-11, Jr.) who thinks pass first but can nevertheless score off the drive.
Tiffany Clarke (6-0, Fr., F) and Elan Brown (6-0, Fr., G) should help make the Commodores more athletic but may need time to become productive offensively. Gabby Smith (5-10, Fr., G) “fits our system very well,” said Balcomb.
Vanderbilt’s pre-conference schedule is very modest with a New Year’s Eve tilt in South Bend against Notre Dame perhaps the only contest the ‘Dores will not be favored to win before January. If form holds, Balcomb will again pull the rabbit out of the hat and make the NCAA post-season field.
| 8. |  | Arkansas |
Last year’s record: 18-14 overall, 6-8 conference; Conference finish: No. 8
2009-10 National Rankings: Not nationally ranked
2009-10 Media SEC Conference Ranking: No. 7
Coach Tom Collen is a very pragmatic individual. “Last year, we relied on our youth,” he said. “We need similar performances from our young kids,” this season, added the mentor starting his third season in Fayetteville after a four-year successful run at Louisville.
Collen expects to rely heavily on returning leading scorer C’eira Ricketts (5-9, So., G) who was voted SEC Co-Freshman of the Year along with Lyndsay Harris (5-9, So., G), who was also an SEC All-Freshman Team selection last year. Back, too, is Charity Ford (5-8, Sr., G) who was voted Conference Sixth Woman of the year last spring.
The Razorbacks’ ability to score close to the basket may well depend on whether Ashley McCray (6-3, C) steps up from last season’s 5.3 points per game in her senior year.
As far as newcomers are concerned, Collen is very high on freshman Sarah Watkins (6-3, F) and expects her to vie for All-Freshman honors this season. Collen describes the Razorbacks’ non-conference schedule as “improved,” but it is still modest. December trips to play the Sooners in Norman and a match-up with DePaul in neutral Las Vegas appear to be Arkansas’s sternest tests prior to January. If form holds, Arkansas should finish no lower than eighth and perhaps a slot or two higher. If so, they will vie for a spot in the NCAA field of 64.
| 9. |  | Florida |
Last year’s record: 23-8 overall, 9-5 conference; Conference finish: No. 4
2009-10 National Rankings: Not nationally ranked (received votes)
2009-10 Media SEC Conference Ranking: No. 6
The Gators started last season with an upset loss in Ft. Myers to Florida Gulf Coast and then reeled off 22 wins in their next 23 contests. They then concluded the season by losing six of their last eight. Much of last year’s success was based on the efforts of now departed Sha Brooks and Marshae Dotson. Those who remain will have to step up big time for the Gators to reach the Big Dance again this season.
On Media Day, Coach Amanda Butler stated that she was most pleased by the “level of competition” in practice. “We are as deep as we have [ever] been.” The Gators do seem deep in terms of perimeter shooters. Steffi Sorensen (5-10, Sr., G) was the team’s third leading scorer and most prolific three-point shooter. Sorensen’s began as a Division II player as a freshman, then spent her sophomore year playing junior college ball, and arrived at Florida as a walk-on only to unexpectedly become an immediate starter. Her story is the stuff of movies, but Sorensen isn’t resting on her laurels. At Media Day, she discussed how she has been working on putting the ball on the floor as a counter move to her strong (39.2 percent last year) three-point shooting.
 | Photo Caption: Senior guard Steffi Sorensen took the long way to Florida’s starting line-up. She began her collegiate career as a freshman at Florida Gulf Coast University, then the number-one team in Division II, the Eagles’ final year in that division. Sorensen hit the buzzer-beating trey that sent FGCU to the title game, which the Eagles ultimately lost. As a sophomore, Sorensen transferred to Santa Fe College, a junior college in Gainesville, then walked on at Florida in her junior year. She quickly found a home there, starting in 31 of the Gators’ 32 games last season and becoming one of the team’s leading scorers. |
| Photo Credit: Courtesy Florida Athletics Communications/Tim Casey |
Jordan Jones (5-9, So., G), who sat out last year after transferring from South Carolina, is also a skilled deep threat. For that matter, the roster has several more bombers in Jennifer Mossor (5-9, Sr., G) and Susan Yenser (5-10, Sr., G). The point will be shared by Lonnika Thompson (5-4, Sr., PG), who is a solid on-ball defender, and freshman Tessah Holt (5-5, PG), whom Butler described as a “vocal leader.” Jones may also spend some time at the point if more perimeter firepower is needed.
 Photo Caption: Jordan Jones, a transfer from South Carolina, regains her eligibility this season. She is one of several players who will step up Florida’s long-range game. | |
| Photo Credit: Courtesy University of Florida Athletics Communications/Jim Burgess |
The middle is a big question, however. Key will whether Azania Stewart (6-4, So., C) bounces back from medical issues which helped hold her to just 3.9 points per game as she struggled in the face of physical play. Sharielle Smith (5-10, Sr., F) averaged 7.6 points per game. Smith is a baseline to basket player and the team’s leading returning rebounder (6.2 rebounds per game last year).
Butler also sees interior help from freshmen Jennifer Georgia (6-0, F) who, though a bit undersized, plays an athletic power game, and Lily Svete (6-2, F), whose game is more finesse with the ability to score both in the paint on the outside.
There also seem to be more questions than last year as to how the Gators will defend on the perimeter and handle opposing size inside. Florida’s pre-conference schedule is modest with arch rival Florida State in November and Rutgers in December looming as their biggest tests in the early months of the season.
Butler found the answers to more than quiet critics last year. Can she do it again?
| 10. |  | Auburn |
Last year’s record: 30-4 overall, 12-2 conference; Conference finish: No. 1
2009-10 National Rankings: Not nationally ranked (received votes)
2009-10 Media SEC Conference Ranking: No. 8
For the Tigers, 2008-2009 was a dream season highlighted by a sellout (largest ever) crowd of 12,069 witnessing Auburn’s victory over Tennessee and later their first SEC regular season title since 1988-89.
This year, though, Auburn will be in rebuilding mode. Gone are four starters including WNBA draft picks DeWanna Bonner and Whitney Boddie. Add to that projected starting point guard Morgan Jennings (5-8, So.) may be lost for the season as she had major knee surgery in July. Jennings’ “rehab has been going very well and the possibility exists that she could return in December or January,” said Matt Crouch, the team’s spokesman.
In the meantime, look for freshman Morgan Toles (5-9, G) as the likely starter at the point. Despite lacking collegiate experience, “Toles is an excellent point guard. ... She is amazingly quick and is a very smart player,” said Crouch.
| Photo Caption: Talented frosh Morgan Toles will get the nod at the point, while starter Morgan Jennings recovers from summer knee surgery. Jennings could return later in the season. |  |
| Photo Credit: Auburn Media Relations/Todd Van Emst |
Alli Smalley (5-9, Jr., G) goes from being often the youngest to one of the oldest players on the court and likely the team’s primary scorer.
One bit of good news is that Jordan Greenleaf (6-1, Jr., F) returns as a redshirt junior having been granted an extra year of eligibility after going down to a knee injury early last season. Greenleaf may be a bit undersized but is a very physical interior defender who will need to step up her scoring from last year’s 7.0 points per game, as must Chantel Hilliard (6-2, So., F/C) who averaged a paltry four points per game.
The Tigers have two of the tallest players in Division I in KeKe Carrier (6-7, Sr., C) and Pascale West (6-8, Fr., C). At least one of them needs to prove that she is more than just tall if the Tigers are to have a shot at the upper half of the conference.
| Photo Caption: At 6-8, freshman Pascale West is one of the tallest players in the NCAA’s Division I. Only time will tell just how much of an advantage that height will prove to be. |  |
| Photo Credit: Auburn Media Relations/Todd Van Emst |
Texas A&M and Florida State highlight Auburn’s pre-conference schedule where every game may be a challenge for the inexperienced Tigers. Expect a down year on the Plains!
| 11. |  | Alabama |
Last year’s record: 13-7 overall, 1-13 conference; Conference finish: No. 12
2009-10 National Rankings: Not nationally ranked
2009-10 Media SEC Conference Ranking: No. 12
The Crimson Tide returns all five starters. But experience can only carry a team so far, second-year Coach Wendell Hudson tacitly acknowledged on Media Day, stating repeatedly, “We need to recruit better players.”
Courtney Strauthers (6-4, Sr., C/F) typifies the team: She is a well-built athlete who does not perform as one might expect, averaging but 5.5 points per game in over 21 minutes of playing time per outing last year.
Tierney Jenkins (6-0, Jr., F) returns after leading the Tide in scoring last season at a modest 11.3 points per game. She was previously an SEC All-Freshman selection. Ericka Russell (5-7, So., G) was also an SEC All-Freshman selection last year; Russell led the team in three pointers made, but she shot only 26.8 percent from that distance.
Hudson hopes to move Dedrea Magee (5-7, Sr., G) from point to her more natural off-guard slot, now that he has added point guard LaToya King (5-4, Jr) out of the junior college ranks.
As for the freshmen, Hudson hopes for a contribution this season from Celiscia Farmer (6-0, F/G).
Alabama’s pre-conference schedule is light on B.C.S. opponents with only one (Illinois) on the schedule. Last year, the Tide entered SEC play in January with a 12-3 record, but won only once more (against Mississippi). Still, while experience isn’t necessarily outcome dispositive, it should count for something. So let’s look for a slight uptick in Tuscaloosa this season.
| 12. |  | Mississippi |
Last year’s record: 18-15 overall, 5-9 conference; Conference finish: No. 9
2009-10 National Rankings: Not nationally ranked
2009-10 Media SEC Conference Ranking: No. 9
Aside from Alabama’s Coach Wendell Hudson, Ole Miss Coach Renee Ladner had the most somber demeanor on SEC Media Day, where the other coaches could be described as anywhere from modestly upbeat to highly optimistic. She has good reason to be downcast, as Alliesha Easley (5-8, Jr., G) who averaged 7.6 points per game last season is out for the year and will take a reshirt with a knee injury (her second—she missed all but the first game of the season in 2007-2008). Also gone is Shawn Goff, who was the Rebels’ primary inside scorer.
The good news is that the team’s leading scorer, Bianca Thomas (5-10, Sr., G ) returns to bomb away again this season. Last season, 175 of Thomas’s team-leading 362 shots were three-point attempts; she landed a respectable 34.3 percent of them.
 | Photo Caption: The brightest spot on Mississippi’s horizon is the return of the team’s leading scorer, three-point specialist Bianca Thomas. |
| Photo Credit: Courtesy University of Mississippi Media Relations/Ryan Moore |
Also back are both starting point Shantell Black (5-4, Sr.) and back-up Kayla Melson (5-8, Jr.). The pair are more than adequate defenders, though not prolific offensive threats having averaged 8.0 and 5.7 points per game, respectively, last season.
Inside scoring could be an issue as posts Nikki Bryd (6-4, So., C/F), Kayla Holloway (6-4, So., C) and Katorra Lewis (6-2, Sr., F) combined for just 9.0 points per game last year. Ladner is looking for Courtney Marbra (6-1, F), her only freshman, to contribute at the power forward slot.
The Ole Miss pre-conference schedule is not without challenge, headlined by Ohio State at home and Texas in Austin. The Ole Miss matching zone tends to confound opponents. If they can find help for bomber Thomas, particularly inside, a finish similar to last season’s ninth might be possible. If they manage to finish anywhere above that, Ladner would be in the running for conference Coach of the Year.
Trivia question answer: The three are Wendell Hudson (Alabama class of 1973), Amanda Butler (Florida class of 1995) and Renee Ladner (Mississippi class of 1981).
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