Oct. 21, 2014
The Vanderbilt women’s basketball was predicted to finish fifth in the SEC this season based on voting of a select panel of SEC and national media members. The poll was released Tuesday.
The Commodores, who have advanced to the NCAA Tournament for 15 consecutive seasons, enter this year with a young roster that features five freshmen and no seniors.
Vanderbilt — which went 18-13 last year, including 7-9 in the SEC — will host Coker in an exhibition game on Nov. 8. The Commodores open the regular season at home against Belmont on Nov. 14.
South Carolina was predicted to repeat as SEC regular-season champs. The Gamecocks return all five starters from last season’s title team and lost just two letter winners from a squad that went 29-5 and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. Headlining the experienced lineup will be SEC Player of the Year Tiffany Mitchell, along with two-time All-SEC selection Aleighsa Welch.
South Carolina tops the order of finish with 210 points, with Tennessee (191), Texas A&M (179), Kentucky (154), Vanderbilt (150), Georgia (132) and LSU (122) rounding out the top half the league.
Mississippi State (108), Florida (96), Auburn (83), Arkansas (77), Missouri (77), Alabama (74) and Ole Miss (21) round out the bottom half.
South Carolina’s Mitchell was the overwhelming choice for SEC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year with 11 votes, Mitchell’s teammate Aleighsa Welch and Tennessee’s Isabelle Harrison also received votes.
Joining Mitchell, Welch and Harrison on the All-SEC Team are Martha Alwal, Mississippi State and Courtney Walker, Texas A&M.
Points were compiled on a 14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Each media member also voted for a five-player All-SEC Team and the Preseason SEC Player of the Year.
The SEC Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll will be released the week prior to the season.
Order of Finish Points
1. South Carolina 210
2. Tennessee 191
3. Texas A&M 179
4. Kentucky 154
5. Vanderbilt 150
6. Georgia 132
7. LSU 122
8. Mississippi State 108
9. Florida 96
10. Auburn 83
T11. Arkansas 77
T11. Missouri 77
13. Alabama 74
14. Ole Miss 21
Player of the Year
Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina
Preseason All-SEC
Martha Alwal, Mississippi State
Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina
Aleighsa Welch, South Carolina
Isabelle Harrison, Tennessee
Courtney Walker, Texas A&M