Five Key Storylines to Watch in South Carolina Women’s Basketball vs. UConn

Live Update: South Carolina Gamecocks Prepare for UConn Huskies in National Championship

As the South Carolina Gamecocks gear up for their national championship showdown against the UConn Huskies on Sunday, April 6, there’s a sense of unity and determination within the team. Forward Kierra Kitts reflected on the team’s collective effort in their journey to this point, emphasizing the importance of supporting each other:

“We’re still proud of each other and we love each other. We want someone to have a great night. We needed Joyce to have a great night, and we were trying to uplift her and encourage her,” Kitts said. “At this point, who cares what we do personally? We’re trying to win.”

The Gamecocks’ success has also been rooted in their depth and balance. A crucial element of Final Four games is managing energy, and South Carolina’s approach has been effective. While Texas came out strong but quickly fatigued during their Final Four matchup, South Carolina’s ability to rotate eight or nine players kept them fresh and competitive throughout.

“I go into the game, and I think a lot of us go into the game, and completely exert ourselves,” said Zia Cooke. “We have a bench that can play. Go out there, play as hard as you need to play, and then you can rest knowing that your team’s going to take care of business. When they sub in, it’s a very comforting feeling.”

Despite a tough 87-58 loss to UConn seven weeks ago, South Carolina isn’t viewing the upcoming game as a chance for revenge. Instead, the Gamecocks are focused on the bigger picture—a national championship.

“We’ve learned a lot,” said Cooke. “We’ve definitely gelled together in different things. Our defense has definitely improved since that game. To be truly honest, we didn’t really care which team we played because they both beat us. So it’s, like, we’ve got to get our give back on this. It wasn’t really like, oh, we want UConn type of thing. It was either way it goes, we want to definitely come away with a win.”

For Dawn Staley, the motivation is clear: winning the national championship.

“I think the fuel is to win another national championship. That’s where the fuel comes in,” Staley said. “They’re playing great basketball. It’s beautiful to watch. It’s cringeworthy to be their opponent, you know? So there are things that we need to do to play a lot better than we played a month and a half ago.”

Turning to the UConn Huskies, the team is hitting their stride at the perfect time. The Huskies dominated UCLA 85-51 in their Final Four game, setting a new record for the largest margin of victory in Final Four history. Paige Bueckers had 16 points and five rebounds, and despite the lopsided score, her playmaking remained stellar.

“Her passing ability is A-1. And she’s really a selfless player,” Staley commented. “So I think her being a little more selfish has helped her game and helped her understand that passing to somebody that shoots less of a percentage than you probably not a good decision. So she’s just being more aggressive shooting the ball.”

UConn’s defense also stood out, limiting UCLA to just 38.5% shooting and forcing 19 turnovers.

With both teams poised for a historic battle, there’s much on the line. South Carolina is aiming for its fourth national title, which would secure them sole possession of third place for most championships in NCAA history and make it the program’s first back-to-back titles. Dawn Staley is looking to win her fourth championship, which would tie her for third-most by a coach.

Meanwhile, UConn is seeking its 12th national title, but its first in nearly a decade.

Game Details:

• Who: #1 South Carolina vs. #2 UConn
• When: 3:00 ET, Sunday, April 6
• Where: Amelie Arena, Tampa, FL
• Watch: ABC
• Sendoff: 12:45 – Westin Tampa Waterside (725 S Harbour Island Blvd.)

Stay tuned as we head into what promises to be an unforgettable championship game!