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By Rosalyn T. Robinson
Correspondent
No matter what source you look to there will be confirmation that the Southeastern Conference is still the toughest in women's basketball.
In the polls, the SEC has placed as many as three teams in the top ten and six in the top 25. While the Big East sports as many as three in the top ten of some polls, it places only one other team in the top 25 of any pre-season prognosticators.
The SEC leads the pack in pre-season All-America selections as well placing nine nominees out of thirty nationwide. In the league itself, 15 of the top 20 scorers from last year are back.
And on the court, fans, coaches and WNBA scouts will tell you there's no league better, night in and night out, than the SEC.
What does it all mean? Exciting, intense action almost every night in conference play. Once again, the weakest in the league are better than a lot of teams elsewhere in the nation, the good got better, and the great did nothing to diminish their stature in college hoops.
Let's get ready to rum-ble!
Key Returnees: All five starters and five other letterwinners
Key Losses: None
B-ball fans everywhere would definitely have to call last year a down year for the Crimson Tide, but real Tide fans know coach Rick Moody won't allow da' Tide to stay out for long. Although the win and loss columns were ugly from a Tide perspective, valuable experience was gained from the 99/00 campaign. Taquilla Allen, the Tide's best player before injury sidelined her last year, is back along, with a host of athletic newcomers. Hold on, one problem: all the newcomers (save ineligible transfer Jamilah Johns) are perimeter players! In the SEC, where 6-2 power forwards grab double-digit rebounds and shoot step-back threes with the game on the line, small ball is a tough option at crunch time. Yes, Alabama is better than last year -- in experience, depth and perimeter ability -- but the lack of post presence may outweigh the improvements and keep the Tide from rising out of the foggy middle of the SEC pack. Plus, the Tide's grueling end-of-conference schedule would leave any of this year's SEC teams battling for second tier status, or at least being able to describe 'near death experience' in vivid terms.
The Short: Overall team balance is sufficient to keep them in games but must have at least one blazing star for upsets and two on a consistent basis to really break from the pack. A cotton soft non-conference schedule will help overall record and may be the lure necessary to bait the NCAA committee into an invitation.
Prediction: 15-11/5-9; tied for seventh
Key Returnees: Four of five starters return along with four other letterwinners
Key Newcomers: Shameka Christon
Four players, all 6-1 or taller, with WNIT semifinal experience, help ease the sting of last year's SEC conference play, and with the addition of some much needed height and bulk in the middle, the Ladybacks have positioned themselves to re-join the middle of the pack this year. Of course it can not be predicted how well freshmen (all four newcomers are true freshmen) will adjust to the physical nature of the SEC, but if just one is up to the challenge, Arkansas will definitely be able to upset some of the higher-ranked teams. Shameka Christon may be the most publicized recruit but if Kiesha Beard can provide post presence off the bench Arkansas will become a very scary team for SEC opponents by midseason. Gary Blair is blessed with perimeter talent and experience at the starting positions and off the bench. A strong home showing, a break or two on the road, and about as decent a schedule as can be had in the SEC, and the Ladybacks should make it back to that crucial second tier cluster of teams.
The Short: If a mix-it-up player is born among the group of incoming post players, the Ladybacks will be competitive every night and capable of disrupting the predicted order of finish at the top of the conference.
Prediction: 15-13/5-9; tied for seventh
Key Returnees: Tasha Hamilton, Shana Askew, Lori Nero
Key Losses: Conswella Sparrow, LeCoe Willingham
The Tigers have been firmly entrenched at or near the top of the SEC's second tier for years, but this year will mark a steep descent from that lofty perch. While in other conferences the battles for number one are great games, in SEC land the real scrapping is for the coveted three through seven spots. After years of getting by on overall talent and toughness in the post, even though undersized, the Tigers find themselves short this year, literally and figuratively. The loss of 6-0 sophmore post LeCoe Willingham to is a big blow (she's taking a year off from school and basketball). And although Auburn still sports all-SEC performer Tasha Hamilton and reserve forward Lori Nero showed the ability to be a solid contributor at the end of last season, it just is not going to be enough to maintain their recent success in the conference. The only thing that will prevent a total free fall is if one of the incoming post players can be consistently physical on a really short learning curve. Don't bank on it. The Tigers do have a favorable conference schedule in that they face the top challengers only once and that alone may be the cushion that keeps the fall soft.
The Short: The Tigers will definitely fall down in the league this year; how much will depend on Hamilton, Nero and Askew's abilities to each play well every game.
Prediction: 15-12/5-9; tied for seventh
Key Returnees: Tombi Bell, Brandi McCain, Naomi Mobley
Key Losses: Tonya Washington, Tiffany Travis
The talent drain from the departure of not one but two WNBA-caliber players would put a serious cramp in the style, not to mention hopes and ambitions, of most teams, but the Lady Gators have the talent and athleticism and, most crucially, the backcourt leadership to withstand the blow. Sure, Travis and Washington were big guns for the team, but to have McCain back at full strength is a great way to recover. Plus the emergence of fiesty Tombi Bell as a result of McCain's injury enhances Florida's ability to navigate through the SEC minefield. Add the two veteran athletic post players and it's a pretty good team. Add the sting of not making the NCAA tourney to the bitterness of losing the WNIT title game and it spells a pretty good team on a mission. If 6-4 freshman Vanessa Hayden can make the necessary leap physically Florida will be able to figure prominently in this year's SEC title race.
The Short: Despite the optimism, the one thing that was not replaced with the two T's departure is three-point shooting. Will an uptempo style for most of the game and ball savvy at the end be enough to return the Gators to the Big Dance?
Prediction: 19-8/7-7; tied for fifth
Key Returnees: All-SEC performers Deanna Nolan, Tawana McDonald and Kelly and CoCo Miller
Key Losses: Shala Crawford
All you need to know about Georgia is written above. Count 'em and weep ... not one, not two or even three, for heaven's sakes, but four All-SEC performers. You think that's impressive? Try this one on: Save UConn, Georgia is the only team with four pre-season All-America picks. That's four players out of the top 30 in the country folks. Hey, it's unfair right? They should have to play four on five, you're thinking? Guess again! In SEC country the Lady Bulldogs are not even the media's pick to win the conference. You see there's this team up the road in Knoxville that lost the battle last year to Georgia but won the war. No matter what Andy Landers does it appears Tennessee will always be there to remind him and his team that in an outstanding league, all roads still lead to da' God Mama (and then dead end). The talent is there to challenge Tennessee but not the depth, especially with the departure of post player Shala Crawford due to academic ineligibility -- combined with UT's fine recruiting class. T-Mac is excellent but can't be expected to hold down the post by herself against one SEC opponent after another.
The Short: The key is can they execute a balanced offensive attack? If an offensive philosophy that gives the two Flintstones (Flint MI natives Nolan and McDonald) more touches can be executed consistently, Tennessee and the rest of the league may not be able to counter the 1-2-3-4 punch of the Lady Bulldogs.
Prediction: 24-4/11-3; second place
Key Returnees: LaTonya McDole
Key Losses: Four starters
Key Newcomers: Selia Helm
The good news first ... okay, now the rest ... Last year's Lady Wildcats actually ended up placing two players in the WNBA. If last year's grouping could only muster five conference wins, the tip of the season for the Kentucky faithful may be to stock up early on the Tums and Rolaids. Can you spell 'brutal'? The Lady Wildcats face a serious uphill battle this year as they enter the SEC fray with one lone returning starter and a host of youngsters. The best that can be hoped of the Kentucky program is that the scars and tracks left from this season will not permanently mar the newcomers. If 6-4 SeSe Helm can figure out how to use her bulk and not pick up fouls the Lady Wildcats will at least be competitive in most games.
The Short: Coach Bernadette Mattox is excited about her incoming class but so are Pat Summitt and a host of other coaches whose teams finished near the top of the conference last year. Rebuilding is the best word that comes to mind for this year's edition of Lady Wildcats.
Prediction: 10-16/2-12; 12th
Key Returnees: Marie Ferdinand, DeTrina White (when she recovers from injury), KeKe Tardy, Kisha James
Key Losses: Katrina Hibbert, Jamilah Johns, Kaisha Lymon
Every year LSU takes an undersized team into SEC conference play and every year LSU battles to be in the top third of the conference by upsetting either Georgia or Tennessee, and by handling road stress as well as any team in the SEC. Well, nothing's changed. As with any great road team, LSU's solid play under duress is anchored by talented and clutch performers, namely Ferdinand and White. Ferdinand used the summer to showcase her numerous basketball skills while also displaying great leadership on the gold-medal winning U.S Junior Olympic team. White has literally held down the post for LSU the last two years at all of 5-11. The rest of the team is talented, experienced and skilled. The only concern is the lack of depth at the post created by the departure of Johns and Lymon.
The Short: The possibility of having to go from small ball to too-small ball if White's back does not hold up for the duration is extremely unsettling. That is the only scenario that will keep LSU from once again claiming one of the top spots in the conference.
Prediction: 19-7/9-5; fourth place
Key Returnees: LaToya Thomas, Jennifer Fambrough, Cynthia Hall
Key Losses: Angela Harris, Nitra Perry
Any, repeat after me, any, team with a weapon like L.T. is capable of beating any team, anywhere and any time. But the Lady Bulldogs certainly are not a one-pony show with fellow All-SEC performer Fambrough capable of creating opportunities a number of different ways from the other side of the court as Thomas. Cynthia Hall had a breakout year for MSU at shooting guard last season and a nice recruiting class will be depended on to supply solid bench contributions. If everyone is comfortable with their roles MSU should solidify its claim to being one of the upper-echelon teams in the conference. Finding a capable point guard replacement for point guard Harris will be crucial for team chemistry and success.
The Short: Although the team is very talented, the senior leadership provided by Harris and Perry will be missed. If team chemistry develops quickly, the Lady Bulldogs probably will not be able to improve on last year's breakout performance but will at least be able to maintain their position.
Prediction: 19-8/7-7; tied for fifth
Key Returnees: Becky Myatt, Shayla Day, Takela Corbitt
Key Losses: Frankie Boyd
The good news? Ole Miss has nowhere to go but up. The bad? The SEC has a tendency to kick a team when it's down and keeping it there. The main problem with Ole Miss last year was that the team had no true point guard, forcing Myatt to play out of position to cover the deficiency. This year the Lady Rebels have three players making claims on the spot. Myatt will have the opportunity to play her natural position and Corbitt's back from injury. but it's two steps forward, three backward with the loss of outstanding post Frankie Boyd. Shayla Day will be depended upon to fill the void left by Boyd's departure.
The Short: In order to crawl out of the basement, Mississippi's newcomers will need to adjust to the SEC way of life quickly. (Hint: This usually does not happen.)
Prediction: 13-15/3-11; 11th place
Key Returnees: Shaunzinski Gortman, Jocelyn Penn
Key Losses: Annie Lester
Key Newcomers: Teresa Geter
The Teresa Geter era at South Carolina begins in earnest this fall. Her presence in the post should be enough to finally get the program to the second tier of SEC teams. And even if it's at the bottom of that group, it continues the steady climb upward in the conference for this program. Shaun Gortman, one of the best names in the game, is back from last season's injury that took S.C.'s leading scorer out of the lineup. There is very nice talent offensively and defensively around the perimeter for the Lady Gamecocks as well.
The Short: Coach Sue Walvius has the Lady Gamecocks program heading steadily upward in the conference. This team minimally will scare the living daylights out of all its SEC opponents and is poised to pull a stunner over UT in Knoxville. A postseason tourney bid is definitely obtainable this year.
Prediction: 16-13/5-9; tied for seventh
Key Returnees: All-Americans Tamika Catchings and Semeka Randall, Kara Lawson and the rest
Key Newcomers: Ashley Robinson, Tasha Butts
Reloaded ... and not a gun, but a cannon. Having talent capable of claiming the SEC tourney crown and reaching the NCAA Championship game last year just isn't enough for the folks who sing 'Rocky Top.' How do you go about improving upon last year's campaign? By having senior Kodak All-Americans Catchings and Randall as the best offensive/defensive tandem in America as your anchors, tossing relentless Kara Lawson into the mix and then bringing in enough new talent that Michelle Snow and Shalon Pillow may come off the bench and Ace Clement's name is barely mentioned.
The Short: They're b-b-bad to da' bone.
b>Prediction: 26-3/12-2; first place
Key Returnees: Chantelle Anderson, Zuzana Klimesova
Key Losses: Chavonne Hammond
Talented 6-6 post Chantelle Anderson returns for her sophomore season with a host of experienced players to surround her. But defense has been a problem, and Vandy would have been dandy sooner if the D had been up to the task in the past. The 'Dores must also find a replacement for the versatile and heady Chavonne Hammond to counter the talented perimeter players they will face during conference play.
The Short: Chantelle Anderson is a load most teams in the conference will not be able to handle as long as she stays away from the ticky-tack foul problems of her freshman season. But will the perimeter hold up defensively?
Prediction: 23-4/10-4; third place
11/6/00
