Austin American-Statesman Reporters Predict SEC Women's Tournament

Texas, Vanderbilt, and LSU earn top seeds as March Madness approaches

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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As the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament approaches, reporters from the Austin American-Statesman have filled out their brackets, predicting the outcomes of the tournament. The top seeds are No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Vanderbilt, and No. 4 LSU, with Texas looking to defend its title from last year but facing stiff competition from the other top teams.

Why it matters

The SEC Women's Tournament is a key part of the lead-up to the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, with the winners of the conference tournaments earning automatic bids. The predictions from the Statesman reporters provide insight into how the tournament might unfold and which teams have the best chance of making a deep run.

The details

Last season, Texas lost to South Carolina in the SEC Tournament championship game, but this year the Longhorns earned a double-bye as the No. 3 seed. They'll face lower-seeded teams that survive the early rounds. Vanderbilt and LSU also earned top-4 seeds. ESPN's Bracketologist Charlie Creme projects that if Texas doesn't win the SEC Tournament, either Vanderbilt or LSU could take the Longhorns' projected No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed.

  • The SEC Women's Tournament takes place this week in Greenville, South Carolina.
  • The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament will follow shortly after the conclusion of the SEC Tournament.

The players

Texas Longhorns

The No. 3 seed in the SEC Tournament, looking to defend their conference title from last year.

Vanderbilt Commodores

The No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, projected to potentially earn a No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed if they win the conference title.

LSU Tigers

The No. 4 seed in the SEC Tournament, also projected to potentially earn a No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed if they win the conference title.

Charlie Creme

ESPN's Bracketologist, providing projections on the NCAA Tournament implications of the SEC Tournament results.

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What they’re saying

“Texas coach Vic Schaefer's technical foul mattered in a 29-point blowout win”

— Cedric Golden, Sports Columnist (Austin American-Statesman)

“Vanderbilt will do better than others think.”

— Zoe Collins Rath, Sports Producer (Austin American-Statesman)

What’s next

The SEC Women's Tournament will conclude this weekend, with the winners earning automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Tournament bracket will then be announced, revealing the full field and seedings.

The takeaway

The SEC Women's Tournament is a crucial stepping stone on the road to the NCAA Tournament, with the top teams in the conference vying for conference titles and high seeds in the Big Dance. The predictions from the Statesman reporters provide a glimpse into how the tournament might unfold, with Texas, Vanderbilt, and LSU all seen as contenders for the crown.