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SEC Preview: South Carolina, Mississippi State, Tennessee and much more

By Blake DuDonis

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 16: Tennessee Lady Volunteers head coach Holly Warlick is interviewed by former Lady Vol, now ESPN commentator, Kara Lawson after a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Tennessee Lady Volunteers on January 16, 2017, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. Tennessee upset the Irish 71-69. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 16: Tennessee Lady Volunteers head coach Holly Warlick is interviewed by former Lady Vol, now ESPN commentator, Kara Lawson after a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Tennessee Lady Volunteers on January 16, 2017, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. Tennessee upset the Irish 71-69. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 03: Washington Huskies head coach Mike Neighbors during the women’s Pac 12 college tournament game between the Washington Huskies and the Oregon Ducks on March 3rd, 2017, at the Key Arena in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Aric Becker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 03: Washington Huskies head coach Mike Neighbors during the women’s Pac 12 college tournament game between the Washington Huskies and the Oregon Ducks on March 3rd, 2017, at the Key Arena in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Aric Becker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Arkansas Razorbacks
Predicted finish: 14th

Key returners (last season’s stats)
G- Malica Monk, 5’5, JR- 9.1 PPG, 42%FG, 7-25 from three, 3 RPG, 3.1 APG, 31 MPG
G/F- Keiryn Swenson, 6’1, JR- 8 PPG, 50%FG, 44% 3pt, 4.1 RPG, 24 MPG
PG- Jailyn Mason, 5’9, SO- 7.5 PPG, 39% FG, 36% 3pt, 3.9 RPG, 30 MPG, All Freshman

Biggest losses (last season’s stats)
F- Jessica Jackson, 6’3- 14.7 PPG, 37%FG, 33% 3pt, 6.4 RPG, 30 MPG

Newcomers
G- Raven Norcross-Baker, 5’7, (Chipola College), JR- Ranked #39 in 2017 JUCO class, #9 shooting guard
G- Grayce Spangler, 5’11, (Fayetteville, AR), FR- Ranked #199 in 2017 class, #51 shooting guard
F- Taylah Thomas, 6’1, (Arlington, TX), FR
F- Macy Weaver, 6’3, (Davis Junction, IL), FR

Head Coach- Mike Neighbors, 1st season
“There’s no place like home” as the saying goes and that appears to be true for new Arkansas head coach Mike Neighbors. A native of the state, Neighbors graduated from Arkansas in 1993, serving as a high school coach for many years before entering the college coaching ranks. After serving as an assistant at a number of schools, Arkansas included, Neighbors had a highly successful run as the head coach at the University of Washington from 2014-17. He led the Huskies to the school’s first ever Final Four in 2016 as well as coaching Kelsey Plum, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. Washington played at a breakneck speed, a pace that the fans in Seattle fully embraced. Though the roster is not completely bare of talent, Neighbors has his work cut out for him as he inherits a team that won just two games in SEC play last season.

Key non-conference games
Nov. 29- Abilene Christian
Dec. 7– UNC-Charlotte
Dec. 21- @ Arizona State

Outlook
To say that 2016-17 was not kind to the Razorbacks would be an understatement. In addition to only winning two SEC games, Arkansas also had losses to Missouri State and Oral Roberts in non-conference play. Neighbors has already been making waves on the recruiting trail, picking up several transfers that will be eligible next season and getting in the mix on some of the highest ranked prospects in the country. As for this season, the impact of the new staff may take a while to be felt. Their non-conference schedule is pretty light, which should help as the team tries to adjust to the new style that they will be playing. Jessica Jackson was the team’s only double-digit scorer last season, so someone is going to have to step up and shoulder the scoring load.

Best Case Scenario-  The team plays fast and loose under Neighbors, the newcomers contribute in a big way and the team finds a way to finish in 11th

Worst Case Scenario- Talent just isn’t here yet, roster struggles to adapt to new style, team comes in last

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