Losing to UConn in last season’s NCAA championship game was brutal for South Carolina’s 2024-25 team, but it just might end up being the best thing for the 2025-26 team. This year’s Gamecocks have used the UConn loss as motivation throughout the offseason.
But in the new era of college sports, motivation isn’t the only thing driving a championship run—it’s also NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness). The SEC is a powerhouse, with South Carolina, LSU, Texas, and Tennessee all vying for the crown. Their success will depend on their stars, and those stars depend on fan fuel.
This preview breaks down the SEC rankings and the key NIL athletes you can fuel directly on RallyFuel.
Here’s preview and rankings for the 2025-26 SEC women’s basketball season:
1. SOUTH CAROLINA
Once again, Coach Dawn Staley’s team is loaded and a favorite to contend for what could be her fourth national championship. All-SEC selection Joyce Edwards (12.7 points and five rebounds per game last season) returns to anchor what should be a strong front line. Fans in Columbia are excited about the addition of Ta’Niya Latson, who led the nation in scoring (25.8 points a game) while playing for Florida State last season. Staley also was able to pull in two of the nation’s top recruits in Ayla McDowell and Agot Makeer.
South Carolina NIL Spotlight: Coach Staley’s dynasty is a NIL powerhouse. Fans can fuel the established star Joyce Edwards or get behind the new nation’s leading scorer, Ta’Niya Latson. Fueling top recruits like Ayla McDowell and Agot Makeer from day one is how the Gamecocks’ fanbase stays on top.
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2. LSU
As long as Coach Kim Mulkey is in Baton Rouge, LSU fans can count on having an elite team. The Tigers have reached the Elite Eight in each of the last three seasons and have a legitimate chance to go at least that far this season. The Tigers bring back standouts Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams. They also return Jada Richard and Kailyn Gilbert. Top newcomers at LSU are Notre Dame transfer Kate Koval and South Carolina transfer MiLaysia Fulwiley.
LSU NIL Spotlight: Coach Mulkey’s ‘Elite Eight’ standard is built on superstars. Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams are already NIL icons. Now, fans can fuel the next wave by welcoming transfers Kate Koval (Notre Dame) and MiLaysia Fulwiley (South Carolina) with a massive show of fan fuel.
3. TEXAS
The Longhorns haven’t won a national title since 1986, but fans in Austin believe this year’s team could end that drought. Madison Booker and Rori Harmon already are established stars and sophomore Jordan Lee could turn into a star this season. The Longhorns had a nice transfer haul highlighted by Teya Sidberry , who was Boston College’s leading scorer last season and Ahston Judd, who scored over 1,000 points in three seasons at Missouri.
Texas NIL Spotlight: The Longhorns are stacked. Stars Madison Booker and Rori Harmon lead the way, but fan fuel for key transfers like Teya Sidberry and Ashton Judd is what builds a championship-deep roster. This is how fans can help end the title drought.
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4. TENNESSEE
Coach Kim Caldwell went 24-10 in her first season at the helm and fans in Knoxville are expecting even more this year. That’s largely because the Volunteers welcome the nation’s top-ranked transfer class. That group is headline by Jania Barker (UCLA) and Nya Robertson (SMU). Tennessee also features a pair of returning stars in Talaysia Cooper and Alyssa Latham.
Tennessee NIL Spotlight: The nation’s #1 transfer class has fans in Knoxville excited for a deep run. Fueling new arrivals like Jania Barker and Nya Robertson—along with returning stars Talaysia Cooperand Alyssa Latham—is the most direct way for the Volunteer faithful to get involved and fuel this team’s championship aspirations.
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5. MISSISSIPPI
The Rebels might not be quite on the level of the conference’s top teams, but they’re not far off and fans expect them to at least make some noise in the SEC. Mississippi coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin brought in the nation’s second-ranked transfer class. Virginia transfer Latasha Lattimore and Ohio State transfer Cotie McMahon are expected to be instant stars. The Rebels also landed Mississippi state transfers Debreasha Powe and Denim DeShields. They’ll all join returning forward Christeen Iwuala.
Ole Miss NIL Spotlight: Coach McPhee-McCuin’s #2 ranked transfer class is ready to make noise. Fans can show their fuel by getting behind instant-impact players like Latasha Lattimore and Cotie McMahon. This is a ground-floor opportunity to fuel a team on the rise.
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6. OKLAHOMA
The Sooners won 27 games last season, the most they’ve won since 2010 and fans expect even more this season. That’s more than possible because Oklahoma returns four of its top five scorers, including Reagan Beers (17.3 points per game) and Payton Verhulst (14.9 points a game). Sahara Williams and Zya Vann also return. But the biggest star of all could be freshman Aaliya Chavez, who was the nation’s top recruit.
Oklahoma NIL Spotlight: The Sooners are built to win now, returning stars Reagan Beers and Payton Verhulst. But the future is freshman Aaliya Chavez, the nation’s #1 recruit. This is the perfect time for Sooner fans to fuel the entire roster—supporting the veterans and welcoming the next superstar.
7. VANDERBILT
Mikayla Blakes brought excitement to Nashville last season when she averaged 23.3 points a game and was chosen as the National Freshman of the Year. And the good news is she’s back for a sophomore season that could be even better. The Commodores lost their other four starters, but those losses should be eased by the arrival of center Ndjakelenga Mwenentanda (a Texas transfer) and freshman point guard Aubrey Galvan.
Vanderbilt NIL Spotlight: All eyes are on National Freshman of the Year Mikayla Blakes. As she prepares for an even bigger sophomore season, fan fuel is critical. Fans can also make a huge impact by fueling new arrivals like Texas transfer Ndjakelenga Mwenentanda and freshman Aubrey Galvan as they step into starting roles.
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8. ALABAMA
The Crimson Tide had a lot of roster turnover after going 24-9 last season. Alabama will rely on a top-20 recruiting class and three transfers to keep this team competitive in the SEC. Transfers Waiata Jennings (Baylor) Alancia Ramsey (Coastal Carolina) and Ta’Mia Scott (Middle Tennesse). Key returners for Alabama are forward Essence Cody and guard Jessica Timmons.
Alabama NIL Spotlight: With so much roster turnover, fan fuel is key to stability. Fueling key returners Essence Cody and Jessica Timmons shows leadership, while fueling new transfers like Waiata Jenningsand Ta’Mia Scott is the best way for fans to help build this new roster.
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9. KENTUCKY
Point guard Georgia Amoore left for the NBA, but coach Kenny Brooks welcoms back Clara Strack, Teonni Key and Amelia Hassett. Georgia Tech transfer Tonie Morgan (13.7 points and 5.6 assists last year) should help soften the blow of losing Amoore.
Kentucky NIL Spotlight: Losing a star to the NBA is tough, but BBN can step up. Fueling the returning core of Clara Strack, Teonni Key, and Amelia Hassett is vital. Fans can also make a huge difference by welcoming GT transfer Tonie Morgan to Lexington with a strong show of fan fuel.
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10. FLORIDA
The men’s program will get most of the attention in Gainesville this season, but the women are poised to make some noise. The Gators have three big-time scorers in guard Liv McGill, who scored a school-record 611 points as a freshman last season ,Laila Reynolds, who scored in double figures in 21 games last season and Me’Arah O’Neal. Florida also welcomes seven newcomers to the roster.
Florida NIL Spotlight: This team can score. Fans can get behind a trio of stars in Liv McGill, Laila Reynolds, and Me’Arah O’Neal. As these three lead a team full of newcomers, direct fan fuel is the best way for the Gator faithful to show their support and help this team make a run.
11. MISSISSIPPI STATE
Chandler Prater is the top returner, but the rest of the roster features a lot of new faces. The top newcomers are Mississippi transfer Kharyssa Richardson and North Carolina transfer Trayanna Crisp and freshman Madison Francis.
Miss. State NIL Spotlight: With so many new faces, it’s time for fans to fuel the new foundation. Fuelingtop returner Chandler Prater is key, as is welcoming new transfers like Kharyssa Richardson and Trayanna Crisp. This is how a program rebuilds in the modern era.
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12. GEORGIA
The Bulldogs will build around a pair of players that were All-SEC Freshmen choices last season — guard Trinity Turner (12.2 points per game) and forward Mia Woolfolk (11 points a game last year). The top newcomers are Wake Forest transfer Rylie Theuerkauf. and Georgia Tech transfer Dani Carnegie, who is expected to start at point guard.The Bulldogs also expect sophomore forward Miyah Verse to emerge as an impact player this season.
Georgia NIL Spotlight: The future is bright in Athens. The Bulldogs are building around their two All-SEC Freshmen, Trinity Turner and Mia Woolfolk. Fans can fuel this young core and also help new transfers like Dani Carnegie get established as they step into a starting role.
13. TEXAS A&M
The Aggies went 10-19 in a season filled with injuries last year. This season, they’ll have an SEC-high 12 newcomers, including five international players. The Aggies added Saint Peter’s transfer Fatmata Janneh, who led the nation in rebounding last season and Sacred Heart transfer guard Ny’Ceara Pryor, who led the nation by averaging 4.1 steals last season. The top returner is forward Lauren Ware, a sixth-year senior.
Texas A&M NIL Spotlight: The Aggies have hit the reset button. Fans can fuel the new “Law & Order” of A&M basketball: the nation’s leading rebounder Fatmata Janneh and the nation’s steals leader Ny’Ceara Pryor. Fueling these two specialists is a fun and direct way to help rebuild the program.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Aggies on RallyFuel
14. MISSOURI
Coach Kelly Harper, a former Tennessee coach, returns to the SEC and she’ll build her roster around seven transfers. That group is highlighted by Shannon Dowell (Illinois State) Saniah Tyler (Kentucky) and Jayla Smith (Purdue). The Tigers also have a pair of key returners in Abbey Schreacke and Grace Slaughter.
Missouri NIL Spotlight: A new coach and seven transfers mean a new start for Mizzou. Fans can help Coach Harper build her culture by fueling key returners Abbey Schreacke and Grace Slaughter, and by welcoming the new transfer class led by Shannon Dowell and Saniah Tyler.
15. AUBURN
New coach Larry Vickers has a roster that includes top returners Kaitlyn Duon and Syria Daniels and 10 newcomers. The top transfers are forward Khady Leye (Towson) and Ja’Mia Harris (Texas State).
Auburn NIL Spotlight: It’s a new era for Auburn basketball. With 10 newcomers, fan fuel is more important than ever. Fans can get in on the ground floor by fueling the returning leaders Kaitlyn Duon and Syria Daniels, as well as the new transfers who are expected to make an impact.
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16. ARKANSAS
Kelsi Musick takes over as coach and her first order of business is to once again make the Razorbacks relevant in the SEC. Guard Wyvette Mayberry is the top returner. The top transfer is Taleyah Jones, who averaged 18.1 points a game at Oral Roberts last season.
Arkansas NIL Spotlight: A new coach is working to make the Razorbacks relevant again. This is where the fans come in. The new strategy will be built around veteran Wyvette Mayberry and scoring-machine transfer Taleyah Jones. Fueling this new one-two punch is the most direct way for fans to be part of the solution.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Razorbacks Now
The SEC Arms Race is Fueled by Fans
The SEC is the most competitive conference in the country for a reason. The on-court talent is elite, but the off-court NILbattles are just as fierce. From the championship favorites in South Carolina to the rising programs in Arkansas, every team’s success is now directly connected to fan fuel.
- You are no longer just a spectator. You are a participant.
- RallyFuel is the platform built for fans to get in the game. It’s the simplest, most direct way to fuel your favorite players, help your team build a dominant roster, and show the power of your fanbase.
- The season is here. It’s time to rally.
➡️ Find Your Team and Fan Fuel an SEC Athlete Today
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