Four must-see SEC games on the 2020 women’s basketball schedule

The Southeastern Conference released its 2020 women’s basketball schedule, and as the WNBA season approaches its end, it’s another reminder that we’re lucky to be able watch women’s basketball essentially year-round.

There’s a lot of exciting storylines, returning stars and new additions to look forward to in the SEC this season. And look, five conference teams are in this way-too-early top 25 and three more were considered.

So, here are four must-see matchups to look forward to in 2020:

Mizzou at Tennessee

All eyes will be on first-year Lady Vols coach Kellie Harper from game one, but the scrutiny will intensify as she leads the team into conference play. Last year, UT finished in the middle of the pack, and she has an uphill battle in front of her within an extremely competitive league.

Harper, who took over for Holly Warlick, who took over for Pat Summitt, will at least inherit the No. 8 recruiting class which hopefully can offset the loss of Evina Westbrook and Mimi Collins.

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Tennessee has big games vs. Notre Dame, Texas and Stanford on its non-conference schedule, but the question, fair or not, that will be asked starting Jan. 2 will be: Is she capable of getting UT to the top of the conference again?

Texas A&M at Kentucky

Chennedy Carter! Rhyne Howard! The possibilities! Last year, Texas A&M won meetings with Kentucky, with Carter putting up 20 and 24 points in the matchups, while Howard added 21 in the first meeting and was held to 7 in the second.

This could very well be a high-scoring, star-powered affair, and that’s exciting. Carter can score, obviously. And Kentucky lost Maci Morris and Taylor Murray, but last season Howard, SEC Freshman of the Year, was able to show off her scoring prowess and reminded us that clutch genes don’t have to come with age.

Based on the way they spend their summers, it’s likely they both can keep that rhythm going. Carter averaged 11.4 points in the 2019 Pan American Games and Howard won the U19 basketball World Cup championship and led the team in scoring throughout the tournament.

Auburn at Arkansas

I’m going to tag this as the “sleeper” that you may not expect to entertain you, but seriously can. Arkansas spent last postseason in the WNIT and Auburn went out of the NCAA tournament in the first round.

This game last year was a 3-point victory for Auburn. But Arkansas ended last season on a strong SEC tournament run, with returning Chelsea Dungee’s play earning her an invitation to U.S.’s Pan American Games team trials. Plus, both teams made some coaching additions in the offseason and Auburn went on an international trip to Italy that could add momentum.

These are both teams to expect more from this season.

Mississippi State at South Carolina

This matchup is an automatic must-watch. Not only is there great basketball to look forward to, there’s also drama to come with it. Bulldogs vs. Gamecocks has become a rivalry over the last few years at the top of the conference.

Mississippi State beat South Carolina in five and four point games last year and the Bulldogs dethroned the Gamecocks as conference tournament champions. For the last three years, one of these teams have been conference and conference tournament champions.

Teaira McCowan graduated, but the Bulldogs have new additions inside and Jordan Danberry got an extra year of eligibility. South Carolina got a stellar recruiting class and returns upperclassmen.

Get your popcorn ready.

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