BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – SEC Tipoff ’26 officially tips off Tuesday, and all eyes will be on South Carolina as they take the stage. With plenty of storylines swirling around Dawn Staley’s powerhouse program — and the league as a whole — here are four key things to watch in Birmingham.
1. Old Flames, New Rivals
The transfer portal has turned college basketball into a revolving door, and the SEC is no exception. Players switching schools within the conference has become the norm, but emotions may still run high when former teammates face off.
There’s MiLaysia Fulwiley now suiting up for LSU after leaving South Carolina, Madina Okot swapping Mississippi State for South Carolina, and Debreasha Powe jumping from Mississippi State to archrival Ole Miss. Add Kharyssa Richardson moving from Auburn to Ole Miss, and Ashton Judd leaving Missouri for Texas, and you’ve got the makings of some heated reunions.
Even the sidelines have changed — former Tennessee coach Kellie Harper now leads Missouri.
As one reporter put it, “With all the movement this offseason, someone’s bound to have a score to settle.”
2. Life Without Chloe Kitts
The Gamecocks’ biggest storyline entering Tipoff is the loss of Chloe Kitts, who was recently diagnosed with a torn ACL and will miss the entire 2025–26 season. Just last week, Kitts appeared at a volleyball game wearing a large brace on her right knee, sparking concern.
When South Carolina initially announced that she’d be attending SEC Media Days, fans assumed the injury wasn’t severe — but Monday morning brought the bad news.
With Tessa Johnson now stepping in for Kitts at media day, the focus turns to how Dawn Staley and her players plan to adjust.
“This is our first chance to hear what the Gamecocks are thinking — and how they plan to move forward without one of their stars,” one analyst noted.
3. Who’s Ready to Vent?
Media Day isn’t just about smiles and soundbites — it’s also a stage for frustration. Every year, at least one coach uses the podium to vent about something, whether it’s scheduling, NIL, recruiting, or officiating.
With the projected SEC standings and All-Conference teams released just a day before Tipoff, there’s plenty of potential fuel for fire. And with the AP Top 25 poll expected to drop Tuesday, some coaches may find out their rankings in real time — which could make for some spicy reactions.
As one insider put it, “There’s always at least one coach who shows up ready to light a match.”
4. A New Narrative Battle?
At football media days, the SEC and Big Ten sparred publicly over which conference was superior — and it’s possible basketball follows suit.
This time, the focus could shift toward the SCORE Act, with the SEC framing it as a necessary reform to protect non-football sports and athletic budgets. The league’s leadership may use the Tipoff spotlight to push for legislative action, even if not as aggressively as their football counterparts.
Still, expect some carefully crafted talking points from coaches and administrators.
With South Carolina front and center on Tuesday, the reigning SEC champions will once again find themselves under the brightest spotlight — this time, with something to prove and plenty to discuss.
