Kentucky Kernel -- Hoops'98

LADIES FIRST

SEC: nation's best

More than rocky top: Despite UT dominance, women's league still holds edge over Pacific-10, Big XII, Big 10 as NCAA's best

Alabama Crimson Tide

Coach: Rick Moody (10th year, 199-81)
Last Year: 24-10 (10-5 SEC )
Returning Starters/Letterwomen: 2/8 Newcomers: 6
Leading Scoring/Rebounder: Dominique Canty (21.5 ppg) / Canty (7.1 rpg)
Comment: Still the SEC's second-best program, but the gap between the Crimson Tide and Lady Vols is widening. Sweet 16 realistic.

Arkansas Lady Razorbacks

Coach: Gary Blair (6th year, 99-55)
Last Year: 22-11 (7-7 SEC)
Returning Starters/Letterwomen: 3/9 Newcomers: 2
Leading Scoring/Rebounder: Karyn Karlin (15.2 ppg) / Karlin (5.5 rpg)
Comment: Fluke Final Four proved conference depth, but Lady Razorbacks are legit NCAA material this season.

Auburn Tigers

Coach: Joe Ciampi (20th year, 448-141)
Last Year: 16-11 (4-10 SEC)
Returning Starters/Letterwomen: 4/7 Newcomers: 8
Leading Scoring/Rebounder: Conswella Sparrow (19.2 ppg) / Sparrow (7.5 rpg)
Comment: Inconsistent youth has matured, and coach Joe Ciampi should have the Tigers poised for a postseason run.

Florida Lady Gators

Coach: Carol Ross (9th year, 165-77)
Last Year: 23-9 (10-4 SEC)
Returning Starters/Letterwomen: 2/9 Newcomers: 3
Leading Scoring/Rebounder: Tiffany Travis (14.3 ppg) / Travis (5.9 rpg)
Comment: Lady Gators not the team they once were, but still have enough talent to play spoiler.

Georgia Lady Bulldogs

Coach: Andy Landers (20th year, 459-141)
Last Year: 17-11 (8-6 SEC)
Returning Starters/Letterwomen: 5/6 Newcomers: 5
Leading Scoring/Rebounder: Kelly Miller (17.5 ppg) / Elena Vishniakova (6.9 rpg)
Comment: Lady Bulldogs struggled last season but still made the NCAAs. This year, Georgia is a Final Four threat and one of few teams who could derail UT.

Lousiana State Lady Tigers

Coach: Sue Ganter (17th year, 300-171)
Last Year: 19-13 (7-7 SEC)
Returning Starters/Letterwomen: 3/8 Newcomers: 4
Leading Scoring/Rebounder: Katrina Hibbert (16.2 ppg) / Hibbert (6.1 rpg)
Comment: Sue Gunter's club is young and impossible to peg, so they'll either play spoiler or stay home and play Yahtzee.

Ole Miss Lady Rebels

Coach: Ron Aldy (2nd year, 12-19)
Last Year: 12-19 (3-11 SEC)
Returning Starters/Letterwomen: 6/11 Newcomers: 4
Leading Scoring/Rebounder: Tarsha Bethley (17.3 ppg) / Bethley (7.2 rpg)
Comment: Without former coach Van Chancellor, now a two-time WNBA champion with the Houston Comets, the Rebels are done. Cellar-dwellers.

Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs

Coach: Sharon Fanning (4th year, 38-45)
Last Year: 14-15 (4-10 SEC)
Returning Starters/Letterwomen: 2/10 Newcomers: 3
Leading Scoring/Rebounder: Nitra Perry (9.1 ppg) / Perry (6.4 rpg)
Comment: Former UK coach Sharron Fanning still can't get it done, and Starkville has never been a hot spot for women's hoops.

South Carolina Lady Gamecocks

Coach: Susan Walvius (2nd year, 13-15)
Last Year: 13-15 (3-11 SEC)
Returning Starters/Letterwomen: 4/6 Newcomers: 4
Leading Scoring/Rebounder: Annie Lester (17.7 ppg) / Lester (8.8 rpg)
Comment: Rarely good but better than normal. Carolina could finish above Ole Miss and Miss. State, and in the SEC, baby steps are all you can hope for.

Tennessee Lady Volunteers

Coach: Pat Summitt (25th year, 664-143)
Last Year: 39-0 (14-0 SEC)
Returning Starters/Letterwomen: 5/11 Newcomers: 2
Leading Scoring/Rebounder: Chamique Holdsclaw (23.5 ppg) / Holdsclaw (8.4 rpg)
Comment: If last season's national champion was best-ever women's team, this team could be better. Georgia and Alabama are UT's only competition.

Vanderbilt Commodores

Coach: Jim Foster (8th year, 168-55)
Last Year: 20-9 (9-5 SEC)
Returning Starters/Letterwomen: 3/9 Newcomers: 2
Leading Scoring/Rebounder: Katie Janky (9.3 ppg) / Jennifer Holmes (4.9 rpg)
Comment: No team has been hurt more by UT dominance, but 'Dores are still a threat to squeak into the Sweet 16.

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