NCAAW: Unique pictures from SEC ladies’s basketball Media Day

On Wednesday, Oct. 16, the 16 ladies’s basketball groups of the SEC gathered in Birmingham, Alabama for Media Day.

Swish Attraction’s contributing photographer Christina Merrion was there to seize the optimism forward of what guarantees to be one other thrilling season of girls’s hoops.

South Carolina

The defending nationwide champions, contemporary off an undefeated 39-0 season, not solely enter the season ranked No. 1 within the AP preseason prime 25 ballot, but in addition are projected to once more end atop the SEC. Head coach Daybreak Staley was in Birmingham with senior ahead Sania Feagin and junior guard Raven Johnson, who was named to the Preseason All-SEC Second Staff.

Christina Merrion.

Christina Merrion.

Christina Merrion.

Texas

A newcomer to the SEC, head coach Vic Shaefer’s Texas group is projected to complete second within the convention standings. The Longhorns are also No. 4 within the AP preseason ballot. Senior guard Rori Harmon and sophomore ahead Madison Booker attended Media Day. Harmon, who’s returning to the court docket after lacking the vast majority of final season with an ACL damage, was voted to the Preseason All-SEC Second Staff. Booker not solely was chosen to the First Staff, but in addition named Preseason Co-SEC Participant of the Yr.

Christina Merrion.

Christina Merrion.

LSU

Though reigning SEC Participant of the Yr Angel Reese headed to the WNBA, LSU nonetheless sports activities two main candidates for the convention’s prime particular person crown, with senior guard Aneesah Morrow and junior guard Flau’jae Johnson sharing Preseason Co-SEC Participant of the Yr honors with Texas’ Booker. The pair accompanied head coach Kim Mulkey to Media Day. The Tigers, whereas ranked No. 7 within the AP preseason ballot, are anticipated to complete third within the convention.

Christina Merrion.

Christina Merrion.

Christina Merrion.

Christina additionally caught up with Johnson for a brief interview. Johnson, in fact, is a multidimensional expertise, each on the court docket and off the court docket. Along with her music profession, Johnson has tried her hand at teaching. She additionally has a podcast. And, she’s a landowner, just lately buying 20 acres in Atlanta. Christina requested about her property funding ambitions.

Tennessee

New head coach Kim Caldwell takes over on Rocky High, hoping to guide Tennessee to a season superior to their projected seventh-place end within the convention standings. To make that occur, Caldwell will likely be counting on fifth-year senior guard Jewel Spear, who led the Woman Vols in scoring final season.

Christina Merrion.

Christina Merrion.

Kentucky

New head coach Kenny Brooks arrives at Kentucky from Virginia Tech along with his star cost, grad guard Georgia Amoore, in tow. After a Twelfth-place end and solely 4 convention wins final season, the Wildcats are anticipated to enhance, projected for eighth place within the standings. Amoore, who earned All-American honors final season, was voted to the Preseason All-SEC First Staff.

Christina Merrion.

Christina Merrion.

Mississippi State

After an 8-8 convention file and seventh-place convention end final season, Mississippi State is predicted to slide to eleventh place in 2024-25. It is going to be head coach Sam Purcell’s third season in Starkville, whereas senior guard Jerkaila Jordan, the Bulldog’s main scorer in 2023-24, prepares for her ultimate collegiate season.

Christina Merrion.

Christina Merrion.

Texas A&M

Getting into their third season beneath head coach Joni Taylor, Texas A&M is forecasted because the SEC’s Thirteenth-ranked group. Final season, the Aggies completed ninth with a 6-10 convention file. Grad guard Aicha Coulibaly, who joined Taylor in Birmingham for Media Day, will look to once more lead the Aggies in scoring.

Christina Merrion.

Christina Merrion.

Further highlights

Ole Miss is projected to complete fifth within the SEC, with the Rebels prepared to learn from the play of grad guard KK Deans, who solely performed six video games final season earlier than struggling a season-ending knee damage.

Christina Merrion.

Final season, head coach Shea Ralph led Vanderbilt to their first successful season since 2015-16. This season, Ralph’s fourth in Nashville, the Commodores are anticipated to complete in tenth place.

Christina Merrion.

Georgia goals to enhance on final season’s 3-13 convention file and Thirteenth-place end behind senior guard Asia Avinger. The Bulldogs are projected for 14th within the convention standings.

Christina Merrion.

Arkansas is predicted to complete on the backside of the SEC, a drop from final season’s ninth-place end and 6-10 convention file. It is going to be head coach Mike Neighbors’ eighth season on the helm of the Razorbacks.

Christina Merrion.