Get ready for a thrilling season of SEC women’s basketball, because South Carolina is poised to dominate once again, despite a major setback that could shake up the entire league. In a bold prediction, the Gamecocks have been picked to repeat as Southeastern Conference champions in 2026, but here’s where it gets controversial: this comes just days after the devastating news that star forward Chloe Kitts will miss the entire season due to a knee injury. Can South Carolina maintain their four-year streak of topping the regular season standings and their three-year tournament winning streak without her? That’s the million-dollar question.
Meanwhile, Texas’ Madison Booker has been crowned the Preseason Player of the Year, a title that’s sure to spark debate among fans. Booker, who led her team to a close second-place finish last season, edged out other standout players like South Carolina’s Ta’Niya Latson and LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson for the honor. But is she truly the league’s best, or are there other contenders who deserve more recognition? Let’s just say the comments section is about to heat up.
The rest of the SEC rankings are equally intriguing. Texas is predicted to finish second, followed by LSU, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky in the top half. Alabama, Mississippi State, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Texas A&M, Auburn, and Arkansas round out the league. And this is the part most people miss: the SEC is deeper than ever, with several teams capable of pulling off upsets and challenging the traditional powerhouses.
Speaking of standouts, the All-SEC first team is a who’s who of talent, featuring Booker alongside Johnson, Oklahoma’s Raegan Beers, Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, and South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards. The second team is no slouch either, with Latson, Kentucky’s Clara Strack, LSU’s Mikayla Williams, Mississippi’s Cotie McMahon, Tennessee’s Talaysia Cooper, and Texas’ Rori Harmon making the cut. But here’s a thought-provoking question: Are these preseason predictions a fair assessment, or are they overlooking potential dark horses?
As the season tips off, one thing is clear: the SEC is in for a wild ride. Will South Carolina overcome their injury woes to reign supreme? Can Madison Booker live up to the hype? And which underdog team will surprise us all? The stage is set, and the drama is just beginning. What’s your take? Do these predictions hit the mark, or are there glaring omissions? Let the debate begin!
