Mizzou Women’s Basketball 2025-2026 Starting Lineup Predictions and Analysis
The Missouri Tigers women’s basketball team is gearing up for an exciting 2025-2026 season. Big changes are in the air, and there’s a new coach at the helm.
With longtime head coach Robin Pingeton moving on, the Tigers brought in Southeastern Conference veteran Kellie Harper. The team feels different already—there’s a sense of transformation in the air.
The offseason was wild, with 10 players leaving the roster. That means new faces and fresh opportunities for players to step up.
Fans are buzzing, wondering how this new lineup will actually look. Let’s dig into what the starting five might be for the Missouri Tigers women’s basketball team, and who could really make a splash on the court.
Key Changes in Coaching and Roster
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The Tigers are in the middle of a big transition. After 15 years calling the shots, Robin Pingeton is gone, and now Kellie Harper steps in with a ton of SEC experience.
Harper’s arrival feels like a reset. She’s bringing her own style, new ideas, and maybe even a little hope for a turnaround.
The roster looks completely different. Ten players from last season either graduated, transferred, or retired.
Five of the seven starters from last year are out, which leaves the new staff with a massive rebuilding job. Still, there’s some optimism—mainly because a few key players are sticking around, and some fresh faces look promising.
The Return of Grace Slaughter
One bright spot? Grace Slaughter is back. She’s basically the face of the program right now, and her decision to return for 2025-2026 brings a much-needed sense of stability.
Slaughter started all 31 games last year and led the team in scoring with 15 points per game. She’s reliable, experienced, and honestly, it would be shocking if she isn’t in the starting five again.
New Additions to the Roster
The Tigers reloaded with a mix of transfers and up-and-coming talent. Some of these new players could end up being the difference-makers this season.
Jordana Reisma: The New Center
Jordana Reisma arrives from Cleveland State and looks like the frontrunner for the starting center spot. She started 71 games over her last two years there, which is no small feat.
Switching from the Horizon League to the SEC won’t be easy, but Reisma’s got the skills and toughness to handle it. She’ll need to anchor the paint on both ends for Missouri.
Averi Kroenke vs. Saniah Tyler: The Guard Dilemma
The guard spot is up for grabs, and it’s a tight race between Averi Kroenke and Saniah Tyler. Kroenke, a redshirt junior, started 25 games last season, mostly during conference play.
She led the team in assists, averaging three per game, and knows the system inside out. That gives her a bit of an edge.
But don’t count out Tyler. She’s a senior who spent her first three years at Kentucky and brings a gritty defensive mindset. Both are solid options, but it’s tough to see both starting since their games overlap so much.
Right now, Kroenke probably has the inside track. Still, Tyler’s competitiveness means this battle isn’t over yet.
Scoring Power on the Wings
The wings are where the Tigers could really pack a punch. Two names stand out: Shannon Dowell and Abbey Schreacke.
Shannon Dowell: A Scoring Machine
Dowell transferred from Illinois State, where she put up 17.6 points per game last season. That’s a serious scoring punch, and it’s hard to imagine her not starting on the wing.
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Her knack for putting the ball in the basket could be a game-changer, especially when the offense stalls.
Abbey Schreacke: The Sharpshooter
Schreacke brings shooting that Missouri desperately needs. She hit 36.9 percent from deep last season, giving the Tigers another weapon on the perimeter.
Her ability to stretch defenses and knock down big shots could be the difference in close games.
Projected Starting Lineup
So, based on everything above, here’s a likely starting five for the 2025-2026 Missouri Tigers women’s basketball team:
- Guard: Averi Kroenke
- Guard: Shannon Dowell
- Forward: Abbey Schreacke
- Forward: Grace Slaughter
- Center: Jordana Reisma
This group mixes experience and new blood, which should keep things interesting. Kroenke runs the show, Dowell gets buckets, Schreacke spaces the floor, Slaughter leads, and Reisma holds down the paint.
Conclusion
The Missouri Tigers women’s basketball team heads into the 2025-2026 season with a lot of buzz. There’s been a shake-up in both the coaching staff and the roster.
Grace Slaughter returns, which gives the team a solid foundation. New faces like Jordana Reisma and Shannon Dowell could make things interesting and unpredictable.
Honestly, it’s hard not to feel a bit excited about what’s coming. If you’re curious about deeper analysis or want some predictions, check out the full breakdown on Missouri Tigers On SI.