SEC Softball Tournament is in Fayetteville: Here are the most likely winners in order
The stakes in Fayetteville are huge.
Nearly every team taking part in the SEC Softball Tournament at Bogle Park has a good shot at making the NCAA Tournament. Nearly every team, anyway.
Seven teams head to the tournament ranked. Spots No. 11 through 15 in the nation all belong to the Southeastern Conference. Two more teams earned Top 25 votes in Monday’s poll release.
The question isn’t so much as who wins the tournament as much as the question which teams locks up their NCAA Tourney spot. Of course, winning the tournament would do exactly that.
But a wild regular season gives little clues. Tennessee won the crown by two games. Georgia was two games in front of Auburn, which was one in front of Arkansas and Alabama. Those last four teams, by the way, occupy four of those five spots in the middle of the Top 25.
So let’s examine which ones have the best chance to leave as champs. Not just based off their seeding, either.
Mississippi State fans celebrate at Two Brothers Smoked Meats in Starkville, Miss., after watching MSU win against Vanderbilt in the College World Series, Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
Msu Reaction18
Seed: 13
Record: 28-24, 7-16
The Bulldogs are regulars at the bottom of the SEC. The last time MSu had a winning SEC season was in 2001.
12. Ole Miss
Oct 1, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi, USA;Mississippi Rebels fans cheer during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: 11
Record: 29-25, 8-16
The Rebels took a big step back in 2023. They had made the last six NCAA Tournaments, including two regionals hosted in Oxford. But it was a long year for Ole Miss.
11. Missouri
Mar 4, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A Missouri Tigers fan holds a large sign against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: 12
Record: 33-23, 7-17
Tigers fans might not like this slotting, but finishing last in the league will do that. Mizzou took two of three from Arkansas to end the season, so they can make noise, but they’d have to win five games in five days. That’s a task.
10. Kentucky
Nov 29, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats fans wave a flag above the student section before the game against the Bellarmine Knights at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: 9
Record: 30-19-1, 10-14
It was a bit of a ho-hum year for the Wildcats, who are neither too bad to be lower, nor too great to higher. If that sounds lame, sorry.
Mar 19, 2023; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks fans cheer their team against the South Florida Bulls in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: 10
Record: 34-19, 9-15
South Carolina was swept by Mississippi State. Why are they here? They beat every other team they played at least once. When the Gamecocks are on their game, they’re dangerous.
8. Texas A&M
Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; A view of the 12th man logo and Texas A&M Aggies fans and students during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: 7
Record: 33-18, 12-12
That 12-12 record is perfect for the Aggies’ season. They won series against Mizzou and Ole Miss toward the end of the year, but those aren’t dynamite opponents. Basically, if Texas A&M is better, they’ll win. If they’re not, they’ll lose. It isn’t as simplistic as it sounds.
7. Florida
Florida outfielder Christina Wellen (26) waves to the fans after the stadium played happy birthday for her. The Florida women’s softball team hosted USF at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Florida won 7-3 by hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
Flgai 042123 Usf Uf Softball
Seed: 8
Record: 35-19, 11-13
That 3-7 end to the season sent the Gators spiraling down the standings. But they’re still a Top 20 in the country and the sort of bunch who could win four games in four days.
6. LSU
Mississippi State fans celebrate at Two Brothers Smoked Meats in Starkville, Miss., after watching MSU win against Vanderbilt in the College World Series, Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
Msu Reaction18
Mar 31, 2023; Dallas, TX, USA; A fan wears buttons and beads in support of the LSU Lady Tigers prior to game against the Virginia Tech Hokies in semifinals of the the women’s Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: 6
Record: 40-14, 13-11
LSU has the second best overall record of any team in the SEC. But when league play started, results were underwhelming. If the Tigers play to potential, they can win. It’s just when has that potential happened.
5. Auburn
Oct 31, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Aubie, Auburn Tigers mascot, leads the team through Tiger Walk prior to the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: 3
Record: 39-16, 15-9
Auburn is good. Plain and simple. The Tigers hadn’t finished better than ninth in league play since 2017. Feels like a team putting it all together for coach Mickey Dean.
4. Alabama
Alabama outfielder Larissa Preuitt (11) snags a fly ball to right during the game with LSU at Rhoads Stadium Saturday, April 29, 2023, in the second game of the weekend series.
Softball Alabama Vs Lsu
Seed: 5
Record: 38-17, 14-10
I mean, do you want to put the SEC’s most dominant team the last decade lower than fourth?
3. Georgia
Apr 15, 2023; Athens, GA, USA; The Georgia Bulldogs new mascot uga XI on the field for the first time during the Georgia Spring Game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: 2
Record:
Year Two of Tony Baldwin’s tenure has been grand. Georgia has been a staple in the NCAA Tournament since 2002, making it literally every year since. So, yes, they can win it.
2. Tennessee
Tennessee’s Kiki Milloy (9) hits a home run during a SEC softball game between Tennessee and South Carolina at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Seed: 1
Record: 41-8, 19-5
They are the best team in the league. No one doubts it. They’re the only SEC team in the top 10, nevermind top five. But they’re not tops. That’s because, well…
1. Arkansas
Seed: 4
Record: 38-16, 14-10
The defending champs are at home. They’re playing well, if not amazing, and they’ve been here times before
