2019-20 SEC women’s basketball preview: Title should come down to South Carolina and Texas A&M

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 03: South Carolina Gamecocks guard Tyasha Harris (52) dribbles the ball past Georgia Bulldogs forward Caliya Robinson (4) during the first period between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Women's Tournament on March 3, 2018, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Steve Roberts/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 03: South Carolina Gamecocks guard Tyasha Harris (52) dribbles the ball past Georgia Bulldogs forward Caliya Robinson (4) during the first period between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Women's Tournament on March 3, 2018, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Steve Roberts/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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GREENVILLE, SC – MARCH 09: Chelsea Dungee (33) guard of Arkansas celebrates the victory as time runs out during the SEC Women’s basketball tournament between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas A&M Aggies on March 9, 2019, at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GREENVILLE, SC – MARCH 09: Chelsea Dungee (33) guard of Arkansas celebrates the victory as time runs out during the SEC Women’s basketball tournament between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas A&M Aggies on March 9, 2019, at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

After a 22-15 campaign last season, Mike Neighbors is in his third season leading the Razorbacks and looking to improve upon a 6-10 conference record. With Chelsea Dungee, the addition of Amber Ramirez and the return of Kiara Williams and Alexis Tolfree, they are next real threat to the throne after Kentucky. They aren’t, for example, Final Four ready, as such a young team, but they are poised to get big conference wins throughout the season.

Key Non-Conference Matchups:

Nov. 24 at Cal

Nov. 30 at Wisconsin

Dec. 7 at Kansas State

Key Returners

Chelsea Dungee – 20.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG

Kiara Williams – 6.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, led the team in blocks

Alexis Tolefree – 10.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG

Losses

Malica Monk – 12.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, led the team in assists

Newcomers

Amber Ramirez – 5’9 G, sat out last season after transfer from TCU

Destinee Oberg – 6’3 C

Avery Hughes – 5’7 G

Marquesha Davis – 6’0 F

Ginger Reece – 5’10 F

Makayla Daniels – 5’8 G

What it’ll take:

They don’t have the toughest non-conference schedule in the league to prepare for another round of SEC play, but they’re the team that will upset title hopes with big wins. Don’t be surprised by a deep SEC tournament run. In Arkansas’ most recent exhibition, Dungee scored 26 and Ramirez 23. Daniels added 17. This is a team to watch.