NCAA Preview of 2025 NCAA Season - SEC conference

[BB12]

I think we are going to see several elites enrolling early. Although Ly is a bit of an outlier at 1.5 years early. I know several elites that are seriously contemplating doing this.

Stinks about Haleigh but LSU could pretty much shelf her till the SEC championship and both she and the team would be fine

Any reason why so many elites are considering it?

 

[cuuf]

Any reason why so many elites are considering it?

It seems like a combination of things. The end of the olympic cycle, many of them have been training away from home, for example, train in texas but rest of family lives in state X so one less year of that strain on one parent being away. One less year of elite wear and tear, and one year sooner to graduate and start their professional life which in some careers can make a difference. Everyone is going to weigh things differently, but those are at play for elites and L10 that I know. I haven't heard of any programs directly making an offer contingent upon them starting early, although I know it does happen.

 

[MaryClare]

Any reason why so many elites are considering it?

I guess because for many 2nd and 3rd tier elites, they turn senior then have 2 years in the doldrums hoping they don’t get seriously injured before college. Or they drop back to L10 which can also be pretty boring especially the 2nd season.

 

[irichluck21]

I think NIL has been a big factor. But also some just want to graduate from college as soon as possible. There have always been NCAA gymnasts that have graduated early with eligibility left. Pre-Covid anyway.

 

[Bob]

is it also affected by the large number of elite gymnasts that homeschool?

 

[cuuf]

is it also affected by the large number of elite gymnasts that homeschool?

Without a doubt.

 

[Regionals]

Florida was only ranked 9th on floor last season. Their Hype Night showed them going for the "wow" factor in the first passes this season.

Sloane and Anya added full-twisting double backs, Kaylee's back-up routine kept hers, and Taylor Clark and Selena have the double layouts. Presuming Leanne keeps her double layout (she didn't show her first pass), that would be a lineup full of "traditionally" impressive back tumbling.

 

[makam]

Does the fact that it is possible to have a chance at the Olympics during or post college influence if they want to start early? NCAA definitely helped several gymnasts improve their consistency and mental game giving them a shot when they had otherwise been written off.

 

[cuuf]

The NCAA season is less than a month away, I think it's safe to say that the next NCAA title will probably come from this conference, so I thought I would preview the teams and opine who might win the conference—

My Take:​

In general, I am not putting too much weight into highly ranked freshman as major contributors/difference makers. History has shown that there might be only a handful that will be significant for a few teams but on balance they spend the first year, adjusting and spot duty. That is not to say they won't make the team better, I just don't think one can base a team's performance solely on a strong freshman group.

Group 1 (In finishing order) - LSU, Oklahoma, Florida
I believe if OU did not have the bizarre collapse last year, this year was supposed to be LSU's year of firsts, so they might get 2 for one, so to speak. Not only do they have a whopping 10 seniors, the majority of the seniors are the primary contributors and just enough underclassmen talent to augment those seniors. Plus LSU gets Florida and OU at home which is going to be bonkers scoring nights. OU will feel the pain of losing Ragan and Kat even with a competition-ready group of freshmen. Florida would be in better shape if not dealing with the two Achilles tears, although I expect they might be contributing in some way at the end of the season. They also have to go to OU and LSU.
Group 2 - Missouri, Arkansas, Georgia
Missouri is probably my stretch here. I am leaning on a veteran group (8 seniors), coupled with the surprising return of Helen Hu to lead a solid growth in scoring. Arkansas, I expect more of the solid, steady growth that Jordyn has shown over the last 5 years. I don't see any significant loses and getting Waligora from Bama and Roberson, who is going to be one of those freshman exception contributors, is my reason for this placement. Georgia is a bit of a wild-card. They have no senior leadership to provide a steadying guiding influence for a largely underclassman team. This could be problematic given all the changes and its impact on team chemistry (Kara Eaker back after a year off, several extra transfers, girls unsure who are going to be one of the 4 cut at the end of the season, new co-head coach). I am hearing mixed things about the team that give me pause. Still they have a talented group of youth particularly that sophomore class which should carry them. I am not completely sold on the co-head coach approach though, so it will be interesting to watch this season.
Group 3 - Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky
Auburn could easily slide up to that second group (Honestly everyone in Group 2 and 3 could change places, I just had to pick). They have a very strong freshman class and a large experienced senior group. Bama, I was surprised compiling this list, has really lost a lot of contributing talent. I think Ashley's group is going to slide back a little as they continue to install their culture or Bamaly as they like to call it. They will be fine down the road, but this year will be growth. Finally Kentucky cannot just replace the queen Worley. Kinda like Bama, except it is just a matter of reloading talent versus adjusting to a new culture.

Overall, this conference is loaded top to bottom. I mean really, who do you pick to finish last?! I do think LSU, OU and Florida are just in a slightly different category. Storylines I am interested in? 1. Georgia, do they surprise everyone or do they struggle to adjust with new coaching and team chemistry? 2. LSU, does Jay look ahead to next year when the losses will be significant and balance giving a talented, but unproven group of underclassmen experience or will he just keep business as usual? 3. How does OU respond not only to the bitter taste to how they ended the season but also the new conference?

Now that the regular season is over, I have to say, I was pretty close with my predictions/overview. Biggest miss was obviously Arkansas. Very disappointing season, maybe the pregnancy has been distracting? Either way, I expected them to carry the momentum from the end of last year into this year and that did not happen. Also, while I picked Georgia to be in that second group, I am impressed with how steady and consistent they have been this year. While they haven't made any leaps regarding getting more out of their gymnasts, their consistency alone has elevated their standing. No more beam disasters or vault fails. Their adjustment to the new coaching dynamic has been seamless, probably in large part to Ryan's credit.

As far as my questions, I answered the first one. LSU obviously is going for the moment, nothing seemed to indicate that Jay was giving experience to the underclasswomen on the team. And OU hasn't exactly lit the season on fire, but they have been locked in, in the traditional Oklahoma way and this is really more a post-season question.

Things I learned through the season? Kailin Chio has a real opportunity to be the equivalent of Haleigh Bryant. Easily the freshman of the year. Kentucky and Georgia are going to duke it out next year for the night session with a strong core of soon-to-be juniors (it doesn't get easy in the SEC). Might be counter opinion here, but I actually liked the 9th team being left out. It made the end of the season a little more interesting watching the dual meets. Certainly generated a lot of interest/discussion about it. And at the end of the day, it is a competition sport with winners and losers, if you don't want to be the last team out, do better. I heard someone mention allowing the individual athletes to compete at the SEC championship and follow a similar model to nationals for the individuals. That seems like a great improvement.

What do other folks think about the regular season?