SEC women's teams that have the best chance of going on a run in the NCAA Tournament

Although 10 SEC teams were selected to the women's NCAA Tournament — the second most behind the 12 bids from the Big Ten — some teams received a more favorable draw or are better equipped to go on a longer run than others.

Here are two teams that have the best chance of going on a run in the NCAA Tournament and one team that could surprise.

No. 1 seed South Carolina

The Gamecocks (30-3) are one of two No. 1 seeds from the SEC, along with SEC Tournament runner-up Texas. A potential second-round meeting with either No. 8 seed Utah (NET ranking of 26) or No. 9 seed Indiana (35) awaits. If the higher seeds prevail, South Carolina would get No. 4 seed Maryland (28) and No. 2 seed Duke (seven).

Duke's potent defense could pose some issues for the Gamecocks if the two teams meet in the Elite Eight. Still, this looks to be a fairly straightforward path for the defending national champions.

No. 3 seed LSU

If the Tigers (28-5) are going to put a run together, they must get healthy first. The team's leading scorer, junior Flau'Jae Johnson (18.9 PPG), did not play in the SEC Tournament and has been battling shin splints while Division I's top rebounder, senior Aneesah Morrow (13.6 RPG), reaggravated a mid-foot sprain in her left foot during the team's SEC Tournament semifinal loss to Texas.

According to Shea Dixon of On3, head coach Kim Mulkey spoke with the media on Sunday and said both are "good to go." If both are able to play, LSU has a favorable path that begins with No. 14 seed San Diego State in the first round. The Tigers could face No. 6 seed Florida State in the second round, but the Seminoles only have three Quad 1 wins and gave up 80 or more points 10 times this season.

Even the two-seed in the region — ACC regular-season champion NC State — has a worse NET ranking (16) than LSU (10). If this LSU team is healthy, it is certainly capable of at least reaching the Elite Eight.

No. 5 seed Tennessee

Although the Lady Vols (22-9) enter the NCAA Tournament following an early exit from the SEC Tournament and three losses in a four-game span, their close losses in SEC play show they are capable of going on a run.

A first-round meeting against No. 12 seed South Florida (NET ranking of 67) and a potential second-round game against four-seed Ohio State (19) are winnable, especially considering the struggles Ohio State has had rebounding this season. If the Lady Vols reach the Sweet 16 and most likely go up against top seed Texas, they would enter that game having only lost to the Longhorns, 80-76, on Jan. 23.

Of any SEC team outside the top four seeds, Tennessee appears to be in the best position to make a deep run.

That is not to say Texas or teams like No. 3 seed Oklahoma and No. 4 seed Kentucky are not capable of going on runs as well. However, with the top four seeds below Texas within the top 19 of the NET rankings, a tougher road lies ahead for the Longhorns.

As good as junior center Raegan Beers (17.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG) and senior Georgia Amoore (19.1 PPG, 6.9 APG) have been for Oklahoma and Kentucky, respectively, both programs are in the same region as No. 1 USC and No. 2 seed UConn, which presents a gauntlet just to get to the Final Four.