NCAAW: Sophomores Fulwiley, Booker ready to impress in SEC Tournament

It’s going to be hard to top last year’s SEC Tournament.

First, we had the “Thrilla from Kamilla,” when then-South Carolina senior center Kamilla Cardoso saved the Gamecocks’ perfect season with a buzzer-beating banked-in 3-pointer in the semifinals. Then, there was an ejection-filled championship final, as a late-game scuffle erupted between South Carolina and LSU. The Gamecocks prevailed amidst the drama, earning the program’s eighth SEC Tournament title.

This weekend, the Gamecocks’ go for their third-straight and ninth-overall tournament crown, entering the tournament as the No. 1 seed. Although SEC regular-season co-champions with Texas, South Carolina won the coin flip and, in turn, the top seed. That advantage, plus the tournament’s location in the friendly confines of nearby Greenville, SC, makes the Gamecocks the favorites. However, the Longhorns are the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, riding a 13-game winning streak that dates back to their loss to South Carolina on Jan. 12.

What must happen for Texas to come out on top, taking the SEC Tournament in their first season in the conference? How can South Carolina show that they remain the SEC’s standard bearer? Does LSU, without an injured Flau’jae Johnson, have a chance of making a run back to the title game? Could Kentucky bring a championship to the Big Blue Nation?

Here’s a look a the four players—all whom happen to be super sophomores—that will be key to their top-seeded teams’ tournament success:

Can MiLaysia Fulwiley become South Carolina’s new “separator”?

The No. 1 seed, South Carolina has double-bye until the quarterfinals. Although, despite winning the coin flip over Longhorns, the Gamecocks might have a less-favorable bracket. On Friday, they’ll most likely play No. 8-seed Vanderbilt, fueled by the talented tandem of SEC Freshman of the Year Mikayla Blakes and do-it-all sophomore Khamil Pierre, or No. 9-seed Tennessee, if the Lady Vols can regain their high-flying, 3-point flinging groove after stumbling down the stretch of the season. While South Carolina won fairly comfortably over both teams during the season, either matchup could present a tougher-than-expected opening game for the Gamecocks.

In either case, the South Carolina’s super power, the depth, should steer them safely into the championship final for a third matchup against Texas. To win that one and take the SEC title, South Carolina might need something special from their new “separator.” Before this season, head coach Dawn Staley called Cardoso their “separator,” as her end-to-end dominance of the interior took the Gamecocks from a great team to a team that achieved greatness. This year, the lack of a consistent game changer has contributed to South Carolina’s (very) relative struggles.

However, MiLaysia Fulwiley, the SEC’s Sixth Player of the Year, might be ready to fill that role.

Swish Appeal’s Stephanie Kaloi recently highlighted Staley’s assessment of her sophomore guard, with the head coach praising Fulwiley’s “gall.” Channeling that confidence into plays that not only display her individual dynamism, but also make the Gamecocks a more dynamic, dangerous two-way unit can restore the air of invincible intimidation that surrounded South Carolina last season. A highlight-making transition terror, Fulwiley also must be smart and solid in the defensive and offensive halfcourt, balancing her penchant for homerun plays with more muted decision making.

Before her time in Columbia is done, Fulwiley will find that balance. If it all comes together during the SEC Tournament, Fulwiley will earn her second-straight SEC Tournament MVP honor as South Carolina raises yet another trophy.

Will some Maddie B March magic carry Texas to the title?

Having earned a double-bye, No. 2-seed Texas also will not take the court until quarterfinals, most likely facing No. 7-seed Ole Miss on Friday. From there, a three-game sprint to the SEC Tournament title is the expectation for the Longhorns and SEC Coach of the Year Vic Schaefer.

It’s also an opportunity for Texas to silence any doubts about their status as the nation’s top-ranked team, with the sense being they achieved the ranking by circumstance and are not, in fact, the country’s most fearsome squad. For that to happen, Madison Booker will have to turn in a tournament worthy of her SEC Player of the Year award,

Brilliance from Booker especially will be required if the Longhorns meet the Gamecocks in the championship game. Booker, infamously, had her worst game as a collegian when Texas lost to South Carolina in Columbia. She bounced backed when Texas avenged that loss in Austin, although her scoring efficiency still was below her usual standard. While Texas’ defense, which is the best in the SEC, is the foundation of their success, the team’s ability to rise to a higher level is dependent on Booker operating as a supreme source of offense. She reached that plane of pure hooperdom last March as a freshman; what does she have in store as sophomore?

Mikaylah Williams can make a March statement with LSU

No. 3-seed LSU will begin their tourney quest on Friday, mostly likely against the No. 6-seed Alabama team that beat them less than one week ago. That, in and of itself, should be enough motivation for head coach Kim Mulkey and her Krewe. Mikaylah Williams should march into Greenville with even more motivation.

Although she was named to the All-SEC First Team along with teammates Johnson and Aneesah Morrow, Williams has to wonder why another sweet-scoring sophomore forward is being honored as the conference’s best player when her numbers are comparable, if not better. Booker is a deserving winner, but Williams’ resume suggests she belongs in the same conversations as her counterpart in burnt orange.

Williams averaged 17.5 points per game, with an effective field goal percentage of 53.4 percent, while grabbing 4.3 boards and dishing 3.2 assists per game. Her season high of 37 points came in the Tigers’ win over Oklahoma. Booker posted 16 points, 6.5 boards and 2.9 assists per game, with an effective field goal percentage of 48.9 percent. She scored a season-best 28 points in the Longhorns’ victory over Maryland.

Williams can insert herself into such discussions by leading LSU, counted out as true conference championship contenders due to Johnson’s absence, to the final, which likely would require a win over Texas and Booker.

Clara Strack is crucial to Kentucky’s plan of attack

With no wins over the teams seeded above them, No. 4-seed Kentucky is long shot for the conference title. And with a likely quarterfinal matchup against No. 5-seed Oklahoma on Friday, their stay in Greenville could be quite short, especially since the Sooners should be eager to get revenge for their regular-season loss to the Wildcats.

But if Kentucky is to conjure an improbable run to the SEC championship game, something the Wildcats did in 2022, it will be due to SEC Defensive Player of the Year Clara Strack. As the 6-foot-5 sophomore forward has gone, so have the Wildcats. And unfortunately for Big Blue Nation, she significantly struggled against Texas and LSU, while turning in a more solid performance against South Carolina last Sunday.

However, in a potential second matchup against top conference foes, it is possible that Strack, who also was named to the All-SEC Second Team, will have figured some things out, as she profiles as having advantages against those teams’ interior players. While Texas is strong and physical inside, epitomized by hard-working Kyla Oldacre, Strack has the fluidity to operate away from the basket. On the other end, her length should bother a Longhorn team that prefers to score inside the arc. Similarly, her ability to clean the glass and protect the rim should shine against South Carolina and LSU, as both teams play somewhat smaller than in previous seasons. The 6-foot-3 Sania Feagin is South Carolina’s tallest rotation regular, while LSU’s 6-foot-5 Jersey Wolfenbarger has averaged less than 15 minutes per game.

If Strack shows why she is the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, making opponents change their offensive game plans, Kentucky could still be playing on Sunday.

SEC Tournament schedule

All games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC.

First round — Wednesday, Mar. 5

Game 1: No. 16 Texas A&M vs. No. 9 Tennessee, 11 a.m. ET (SEC Network)

Game 2: No. 13 Arkansas vs. No. 12 Georgia, 1:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

Game 3: No. 15 Missouri vs. No. 10 Mississippi State, 6 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

Game 4: No. 14 Auburn vs. No. 11 Florida, 8:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

Second round — Thursday, Mar. 6

Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. No. 8 Vanderbilt, 11 a.m. ET (SEC Network)

Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. No. 5 Oklahoma, 1:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. No. 7 Ole Miss, 6 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. No. 6 Alabama, 8:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

Quarterfinals — Friday, Mar. 7

Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. No. 1 South Carolina, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Game 10: Game 6 winner vs. No. 4 Kentucky, 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. No. 2 Texas, 6 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

Game 12: Game 8 winner vs. No. 3 LSU, 8:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

Semifinals — Saturday, Mar. 8

Game 13: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Championship — Sunday, Mar. 9

Game 15: Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)