SEC Women's Basketball First Tests: Vanderbilt, LSU, Texas, & South Carolina

🏀 The SEC heavyweights are stepping into the spotlight!In the FINAL episode of the First Test series, I’m breaking down the first major challenges facing four of the SEC’s biggest women’s basketball contenders: Vanderbilt, LSU, Texas, and South Carolina.These early-season matchups could give us our first real look at whether these teams are ready to live up to the expectations surrounding them.🔥 FIRST TEST MATCHUPS:⚓ Vanderbilt vs. Iowa — MAJOR TEST🐯 LSU vs. NC State — MAJOR TEST🤘 Texas vs. UConn — NATIONAL TEST🐔 South Carolina vs. Maryland — MAJOR TESTFor Vanderbilt, I’m watching how Shea Ralph uses her depth, what the starting lineup looks like, and whether the Commodores have the post presence to complement Michaela Blakes, Aubrey Galvan and a talented group of newcomers.LSU’s backcourt has plenty of firepower, but what will the Tigers look like inside? NC State should give Kim Mulkey’s squad an opportunity to find out, especially with the battle in the paint and on the boards potentially deciding this matchup.Texas gets perhaps the biggest First Test of them all — an exhibition matchup against UConn. How will the Longhorns replace Rori Harmon’s leadership at point guard? Who steps up alongside Madison Booker? And can Vic Schaefer’s defense challenge Sarah Strong and the defending national powerhouse?Finally, South Carolina heads to Paris to face Brenda Frese and Maryland. Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks have another loaded non-conference schedule, and this matchup gives us an early chance to see their rotation, ball security, defensive identity, and who could emerge as this season’s X-factor.Which SEC heavyweight are YOU most confident in heading into the season? Drop your pick in the comments! 👇Subscribe to Chalk Talk South: Women’s Hoops for SEC women’s basketball breakdowns, game analysis, interviews, rankings, and more throughout the 2026–27 women’s college basketball season.Chapters0:00 Intro1:00 Vanderbilt vs Iowa 7:34 LSU vs NC State13:25 Texas vs UCONN (Exhibition)21:39 South Carolina vs Maryland29:40 SEC Media Days Next Week30:22 Like, Comment, Share, Subscribe#WomensCollegeBasketball #SECWBB #WomensBasketball #CollegeBasketball #VanderbiltWBB #LSUWBB #TexasWBB #SouthCarolinaWBB #UConnWBBTikTok ✅ Apple Podcasts ✅SEC Women's Hoops Podcast#womensbasketball #wbb #womenshoops