The University of Missouri women’s basketball team, in voting completed by assembled media, was picked to finish in 3rd place in the 14-team Southeastern Conference on Tuesday morning. The selection is the highest predicted finish for Mizzou since the Tigers joined the league. The Tigers third-place slot is behind defending national champion South Carolina and national runner-up Mississippi State, the two teams that met in April’s national championship game in Dallas.
Guard Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) was one five players in the league to receive Preseason All-SEC recognition in the media poll. Cunningham was the only other player outside of South Carolina’s A’ja Wilson to garner votes for Preseason SEC Player of the Year. Cunningham, battling through injuries last season, averaged 17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, earning First Team All-SEC and AP All-America Honorable Mention status. She begins the 2017-2018 season 11 points short of 1,000 in her career.
PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
Order of Finish
1. South Carolina
2. Mississippi State
3. Missouri
4. Tennessee
5. Texas A&M
6. Kentucky
7. LSU
8. Georgia
9. Alabama
10. Auburn
11. Vanderbilt
12. Florida
13. Ole Miss
14. Arkansas
Player of the Year
A’ja Wilson, South Carolina
Preseason All-SEC
Victoria Vivians, Mississippi State
Morgan William, Mississippi State
Sophie Cunningham, Missouri
A’ja Wilson, South Carolina
Mercedes Russell, Tennessee
