For the first time in a long time, the South Carolina Gamecocks are heading into Selection Sunday with a bitter taste in their mouths. A 78-61 loss to Texas in the SEC Championship game wasn’t the “Garnet and Black” party we expected in Greenville, but if history has taught us anything, it’s that you should never bet against a Dawn Staley team with a chip on its shoulder.
The Silver Lining in the Storm
While a 17-point loss feels heavy, Coach Staley was quick to remind her squad of a very specific memory.
”The last time we lost in this situation [2022], we won a National Championship,” Staley told the team in the locker room. “It might be the very thing this team needs.”
In 2022, the Gamecocks fell to Kentucky in the SEC finals. They channeled that frustration into a dominant NCAA run that ended with them cutting down the nets in Minneapolis. With a 31-3 record, this year’s squad is arguably more dangerous because they’ve now seen exactly what happens when they have “mental lapses” against elite competition like Texas.
Stars to Watch: Award Season is Here
Even with the loss, the Gamecocks dominated the SEC individual awards this week:
- Raven Johnson: Officially named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Her lockdown energy will be the heartbeat of the defense in the tournament.
- Joyce Edwards: The sophomore sensation led the charge in the SEC tournament (dropping 21 points on Kentucky) and earned a well-deserved First-Team All-SEC selection.
- Madina Okot: A finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award, Okot remains the best center in the nation, currently riding a streak of seven straight double-doubles.
What’s Next?
The mission is clear. Despite the title loss, the Gamecocks are still projected as a No. 1 seed for the Big Dance. We find out our path to the Final Four in Phoenix this Sunday, March 15th.
The rest of the country might see a loss. We see a wake-up call. The “revenge tour” starts now.
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