SEC women's basketball power rankings: Kim Mulkey, LSU at No. 1, but Dawn Staley is no underdog
COLUMBIA — South Carolina women's basketball and LSU both represented the SEC in the 2023 Final Four, and the teams are poised to headline the conference against in 2023-24.
Four SEC teams are represented in the preseason USA TODAY coaches' poll, led by LSU at No. 1. The Gamecocks came in at No. 4, with Tennessee making the top 15 at No. 12 and Ole Miss just outside of it at No. 16.
Here are our preseason power rankings for the most top-heavy league in the Power 5:
1. LSU
Preseason ranking: No. 1
2022-23 record: 34-2, 15-1 SEC
The Bayou Barbie and rapstress Flau'jae were already appointment viewing before LSU added Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow to the mix. The only question is how coach Kim Mulkey will manage all those egos in one locker room.
2. South Carolina
Preseason ranking: No. 2
2022-23 record: 36-1, 16-0
It's a testament to coach Dawn Staley that the Gamecocks graduated their entire starting lineup and still rank below only the reigning national champions. Having eight McDonald's All-Americans on the roster doesn't hurt either.
3. Tennessee
Preseason ranking: No. 3
2022-23 record: 25-12, 13-3
The Lady Vols haven't reached a Final Four since Candace Parker, and coach Kellie Harper's seat is getting uncomfortably warm. An All-American season from Rickea Jackson could be enough to resurrect old-school Tennessee.
4. Ole Miss
Preseason ranking: No. 4
2022-23 record: 25-12, 11-5
Coach Yolette McPhee-McQuinn was America's darling during the 2023 NCAA Tournament after dethroning Stanford, and adding former Florida standout KK Deans to the backcourt makes the Rebels a favorite to play spoiler again this season.
5. Texas A&M
Preseason ranking: No. 8
2022-23 record: 9-20, 2-14
Now is the time to buy low on Aggies stock despite an underwhelming first year for coach Joni Taylor. Janiah Barker is a star in the making, and Oregon transfer Endyia Rogers won't have her talent hidden on the Pac-12 Network anymore.
6. Mississippi State
Preseason ranking: No. 5
2022-23 record: 22-11, 9-7
Mississippi State's home-and-home with Ole Miss should be a lot more competitive than this year's Egg Bowl, so Jessicka Carter's final season gives Bulldogs fans something to look forward to.
7. Florida
Preseason ranking: No. 10
2022-23 record: 19-15, 5-11
Florida's secret weapon is that its best players spent 2022-23 on the bench — Zippy Broughton with an injury and Aliyah Matharu due to transfer eligibility rules. Underestimate the Gators at your own risk.
8. Arkansas
Preseason ranking: No. 6
2022-23 record: 24-12, 7-9
The Razorbacks had a former five-star recruit enter the transfer portal already this month, which doesn't bode well for a team that also lost its top scorer to an SEC rival during the offseason.
9. Alabama
Preseason ranking: No. 9
2022-23 record: 20-11, 9-7
The Crimson Tide are consistently average in the SEC and have just two NCAA Tournament appearances in 10 years under coach Kristy Curry. There's nothing to indicate this season will be any different.
10. Vanderbilt
Preseason ranking: No. 14
2022-23 record: 12-19, 3-13
After swiping Justine Pissott from in-state rival Tennessee in the transfer portal, the Commodores have real competitive potential — that is, if they can keep enough players healthy to field a roster for a full season.
11. Georgia
Preseason ranking: No. 7
2022-23 record: 22-12, 9-7
Katie Abrahamson-Henderson doesn't have her core of UCF transfers to lean on this season, and the Bulldogs don't have much of a backup plan without the lock-down defense that fueled last season.
12. Missouri
Preseason ranking: No. 11
2022-23 record: 18-14, 6-10
Missouri's athletic director said publicly the program will make changes if it doesn't make the NCAA Tournament. Unless coach Robin Pingeton can find another year of eligibility for former star Sophie Cunningham, it'll be an uphill battle.
PRESEASON ALL-SEC TEAM: USA Today Sports Network preseason women's basketball All-SEC, awards for 2023-24
13. Kentucky
Preseason ranking: No. 13
2022-23 record: 12-19, 2-14
The Wildcats get to play in Rupp Arena while the ancient Memorial Coliseum undergoes renovations, but even the iconic home-court advantage may not be enough to salvage this portal-decimated roster.
14. Auburn
Preseason ranking: No. 12
2022-23 record: 16-15, 5-11
One of Auburn's five conference wins last season came against Texas A&M, and the Aggies immediately signed former Tigers star Aicha Coulibaly in the transfer portal. The Year 3 slump is going to hit coach Johnnie Harris hard.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: SEC Power Rankings: LSU earns No. 1, but Dawn Staley is no underdog
