Imagine a new coach stepping into a powerhouse league with high expectations and low preseason rankings—talk about a thrilling challenge! That's exactly the situation for Kellie Harper as she takes the helm of Missouri's women's basketball team, and fans are already buzzing about whether she can turn things around. But here's where it gets controversial: despite her impressive track record, the experts aren't betting big on her squad just yet. Stick around to dive into the details and see if you agree with their predictions.
Let's break this down simply for those new to college basketball. The Southeastern Conference, or SEC, is one of the toughest leagues out there, packed with talented teams that battle it out for championships and NCAA Tournament spots. Each year, before the season kicks off, a group of media pros from across the country and within the SEC votes on how they think teams will finish. It's like a preseason crystal ball, giving fans an early glimpse into the competition.
In this latest poll, Kellie Harper's debut squad at Missouri is slated to land in 13th place out of 16 teams. For context, this means they're predicted to perform better than just three other teams in the conference—Arkansas, Auburn, and Texas A&M. On the flip side, reigning champion South Carolina is tipped to defend their title, with Texas and LSU hot on their heels in second and third. And this is the part most people miss: Harper's former team, Tennessee, is expected to come in fourth, which could add some extra pressure as she faces her old squad this season.
Interestingly, not a single Missouri player made the preseason all-conference team, which is a list of the top performers the voters think will shine. That might surprise some, especially since Harper brings fresh energy after being hired in March to replace longtime coach Robin Pingeton. Pingeton, who now leads Wisconsin, was let go by Missouri following six consecutive seasons without a berth in the NCAA Tournament—a streak that stung fans and raised questions about team direction. Was this decision fair, or did it overlook underlying progress? It's a debate worth having, as rebuilding efforts like this can sometimes lead to breakthroughs, but they also risk short-term struggles.
Harper's first game as coach will be on November 3 at Mizzou Arena, where the Tigers take on Central Arkansas. It's a home opener, so expect the fans to show out and support this new era. For beginners, think of it like a fresh start: just as a new captain might need time to rally the crew, Harper has the opportunity to instill her winning strategies from Tennessee into this team.
Now, let's look at the full preseason order of finish for the SEC women's basketball teams in 2025-26, straight from the poll:
- South Carolina
- Texas
- LSU
- Tennessee
- Oklahoma
- Ole Miss
- Vanderbilt
- Kentucky
- Alabama
- Mississippi State
- Florida
- Georgia
- Missouri
- Texas A&M
- Auburn
- Arkansas
Texas's Madison Booker snagged the SEC Preseason Player of the Year honors, a nod to her standout skills that could make her a game-changer.
Rounding out the preseason all-conference selections, here's who made the first team:
- Flau'Jae Johnson from LSU
- Reagan Beers from Oklahoma
- Joyce Edwards from South Carolina
- Madison Booker from Texas
- Mikayla Blakes from Vanderbilt
And the second team includes:
- Clara Strack from Kentucky
- Mikayla Williams from LSU
- Cotie McMahon from Ole Miss
- Ta'Niya Latson from South Carolina
- Talaysia Cooper from Tennessee
- Rori Harmon from Texas
These picks highlight the depth of talent in the conference, from scoring machines to defensive standouts. But are preseason polls accurate predictors of success, or do they just set the stage for underdogs to surprise everyone? Some might argue that low rankings can motivate teams to overachieve, like famous comebacks in sports history—think of underdog stories where the 'worst' team flips the script.
What do you think, readers? Do you believe Harper can lead Missouri to defy these odds and climb higher than 13th? Or is this poll spot-on, and the Tigers need more time to rebuild? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with the predictions, or see a counterpoint we haven't considered? Let's discuss!**
