Though 10 SEC groups have been chosen to the ladies’s NCAA Match — the second most behind the 12 bids from the Huge Ten — some groups obtained a extra favorable draw or are higher outfitted to go on an extended run than others.
Listed here are two groups which have the very best likelihood of occurring a run within the NCAA Match and one group that might shock.
No. 1 seed South Carolina
The Gamecocks (30-3) are considered one of two No. 1 seeds from the SEC, together with SEC Match runner-up Texas. A possible second-round assembly with both No. 8 seed Utah (NET ranking of 26) or No. 9 seed Indiana (35) awaits. If the upper seeds prevail, South Carolina would get No. 4 seed Maryland (28) and No. 2 seed Duke (seven).
Duke’s potent protection might pose some points for the Gamecocks if the 2 groups meet within the Elite Eight. Nonetheless, this appears to be like to be a reasonably simple path for the defending nationwide champions.
No. 3 seed LSU
If the Tigers (28-5) are going to place a run collectively, they need to get wholesome first. The group’s main scorer, junior Flau’Jae Johnson (18.9 PPG), didn’t play within the SEC Match and has been battling shin splints whereas Division I’s high rebounder, senior Aneesah Morrow (13.6 RPG), reaggravated a mid-foot sprain in her left foot through the group’s SEC Match semifinal loss to Texas.
In keeping with Shea Dixon of On3, head coach Kim Mulkey spoke with the media on Sunday and stated each are “good to go.” If each are in a position to play, LSU has a positive path that begins with No. 14 seed San Diego State within the first spherical. The Tigers might face No. 6 seed Florida State within the second spherical, however the Seminoles solely have three Quad 1 wins and gave up 80 or extra factors 10 instances this season.
Even the two-seed within the area — ACC regular-season champion NC State — has a worse NET rating (16) than LSU (10). If this LSU group is wholesome, it’s definitely able to a minimum of reaching the Elite Eight.
No. 5 seed Tennessee
Though the Woman Vols (22-9) enter the NCAA Match following an early exit from the SEC Match and three losses in a four-game span, their shut losses in SEC play present they’re able to occurring a run.
A primary-round assembly towards No. 12 seed South Florida (NET rating of 67) and a possible second-round recreation towards four-seed Ohio State (19) are winnable, particularly contemplating the struggles Ohio State has had rebounding this season. If the Woman Vols attain the Candy 16 and probably go up towards high seed Texas, they’d enter that recreation having solely misplaced to the Longhorns, 80-76, on Jan. 23.
Of any SEC group exterior the highest 4 seeds, Tennessee seems to be in the very best place to make a deep run.
That’s not to say Texas or groups like No. 3 seed Oklahoma and No. 4 seed Kentucky aren’t able to occurring runs as nicely. Nevertheless, with the highest 4 seeds under Texas throughout the high 19 of the NET rankings, a harder street lies forward for the Longhorns.
Pretty much as good as junior middle Raegan Beers (17.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG) and senior Georgia Amoore (19.1 PPG, 6.9 APG) have been for Oklahoma and Kentucky, respectively, each applications are in the identical area as No. 1 USC and No. 2 seed UConn, which presents a gauntlet simply to get to the Last 4.
