Evaluating the Missouri Tigers women’s basketball program after coach’s 1st year

The Missouri Tigers women’s basketball team closed out its 2025-26 season with a 93-75 loss at BYU in the second round of the WBIT. Mizzou’s final record: 17-17 (4-12 Southeastern Conference).

For a program in transition under first-year head coach Kellie Harper, the results were a mix of promise and inconsistency. Missouri showed flashes of becoming a competitive SEC team, particularly on offensively, but struggled to sustain success against deeper opponents.

The Tigers finished 14th in the SEC standings, but analytically showed strength in key offensive categories, ranking first in the conference and 17th nationally in free throw percentage, while also placing top five in the SEC in both 3-pointers attempted and 3-point percentage.

With roster movement already underway and a top-25 recruiting class incoming, the season that just concluded serves as a foundation rather than a finished product.

Team grade: C+

Missouri took a step forward in competitiveness but fell short of consistency. The Tigers’ ability to shoot and score kept them in games, but defensive lapses and depth issues, particularly in SEC play, limited their ceiling.

Head coach Kellie Harper: A

Harper’s first season in Columbia could hardly have gone better, given the circumstances.

She delivered the best start by a first-year head coach in program history and guided Missouri to 17 wins with a roster that lacked established SEC depth. More importantly, she reestablished a competitive identity for the program.

Harper’s résumé speaks for itself, with nearly 400 career wins, nine NCAA Tournament appearances and a track record of developing WNBA-level talent. That pedigree showed immediately. Missouri was more disciplined offensively and more resilient than in recent seasons.

With a strong recruiting class and portal flexibility ahead, Harper has positioned the program for long-term growth.

Grace Slaughter: A+ (Junior — returning)

The Grain Valley High School product elevated her game in 2025-26. She went from being a team leader to one of the SEC’s most complete players.

Slaughter as a junior averaged 18.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting efficiently across the board, including 38.3% from deep. Her season total for points was the fifth-best in program history, surpassing Sophie Cunningham’s 2018-19 mark.

She added seven double-doubles, earned second-team All-SEC honors and climbed into the program’s top 10 in career 3-pointers.

More importantly, Slaughter expanded her game, operating more in the post, rebounding at a higher level and continuing to handle the ball effectively. Her consistency, including a 23-game double-digit scoring streak, made her the centerpiece of Missouri’s offense.

Shannon Dowell: B (Junior — transfer portal)

Dowell served as Missouri’s No. 2 option for much of the season, averaging 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and a team-best 2.3 assists per game.

At her best, she was dynamic, highlighted by a 33-point, 10-rebound performance against Oklahoma and multiple double-doubles early in the season.

However, her production dipped late in the year, particularly in SEC play, as her aggressiveness attacking the rim declined. Her departure to the transfer portal leaves a significant gap in Missouri’s scoring and playmaking.

Jordana Reisma: B (Senior — graduated)

Reisma battled injuries throughout the season but showed clear improvement late, particularly by extending her range offensively.

Her ability to stretch the floor added a new dimension to Missouri’s offense down the stretch, including a strong postseason showing. When healthy, she was a reliable interior presence and efficient scorer.

Chloe Sotell: B (Sophomore - returning)

Sotell emerged as one of Missouri’s most reliable two-way contributors.

A true 3-and-D player, she led the team with 1.3 steals per game while shooting 37.2% from beyond the arc. Though her offensive numbers dipped late in the season, her defensive consistency and versatility remained valuable.

Jayla Smith: C (Senior — graduated)

Smith provided solid production early in the season but struggled to maintain that level in SEC play. As competition intensified, she was often outmatched by deeper frontcourts, limiting her overall impact. Still, she delivered key performances and contributed meaningful minutes throughout the year.

Abbey Schreacke: C- (Junior — returning)

Schreacke’s role remained consistent with perimeter shooting and floor spacing, but her effectiveness fluctuated.

She shot 35.7% from 3, but when her shot wasn’t falling, her overall impact diminished. Missouri needed more consistency from its perimeter specialists, and Schreacke’s season reflected that inconsistency.

Saniah Tyler: D+ (Senior — graduated)

Tyler entered the season with expectations as a defensive-minded facilitator but never fully found her rhythm.

Injuries early in the year disrupted her momentum, and she struggled to consistently impact games on either end. While she had flashes, she did not meet preseason expectations.

Lisa Thompson: D (Junior — returning)

Thompson saw her role decrease as the season progressed. Shot-selection issues and difficulty running the offense led to reduced minutes, and she ultimately fell out of the regular rotation.

Reka Toman: Incomplete (Freshman — returning)

Toman showed flashes of potential in limited minutes, particularly with her rebounding instincts and high basketball IQ. As the season progressed, she earned more meaningful playing time outside of late-game situations, suggesting potential for a larger role moving forward.

Ma’Riya Vincent: Incomplete (Freshman - returning)

Vincent primarily saw action in limited minutes but contributed energy and defensive effort when called upon. Her development will be key to improving Missouri’s depth next season.

Hannah Linthacum/Sydney Mains/Averi Kroenke: N/A

All three missed the season due to injury, including a torn ACL for Kroenke. Hannah Linthacum has already entered the transfer portal. Their returns could provide much-needed depth in 2026-27.

Looking ahead

Missouri’s offseason is already underway, with roster turnover shaping next year’s outlook. Dowell and Linthacum have entered the transfer portal, while the program brings in the No. 25 recruiting class in the nation.

That class is headlined by four-star guard Natalya Hodge and 6-foot-4 center Khloe Ford, both top-100 prospects who could contribute immediately.

With Slaughter returning as a cornerstone and Harper continuing to build through recruiting and development, Missouri appears positioned to take another step forward, provided it can address its depth and defensive consistency.

Year one established the foundation. Year two will test how quickly it can rise.

Copyright 2026 Columbia Missourian.