Author: footballtopstar

Live Update: South Carolina Women’s Basketball – Watkins’ Recovery Progress

In an update on Zia Cooke‘s recovery, Dawn Staley shared some positive news on Saturday regarding Cooke’s rehabilitation. According to Staley, the recovery process for Cooke is “going smoothly,” and she’s been off crutches for some time now. While it’s still uncertain exactly when Cooke will return to full on-court activity, Staley expects her to resume some form of court work by mid to late summer.

There remains uncertainty about whether Cooke might pursue a medical redshirt waiver for this season. She’s played in 14 of USC’s 39 games so far, which is 36% of the total games. Under NCAA guidelines, players can qualify for a medical redshirt if they’ve appeared in 30% or fewer of their team’s games, though these regulations are not always strictly enforced.

Staley expressed optimism about Cooke’s recovery, noting, “Her journey back will probably get her back into a real flow,” suggesting that Cooke is on the right path and could contribute significantly once she’s fully recovered.

Stay tuned for further updates as we follow Cooke’s road to recovery.

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When Did South Carolina Last Lose a Tournament Game? Dawn Staley’s Streak at risk

South Carolina has secured its fifth consecutive trip to the Final Four after narrowly edging past Duke to claim the Birmingham Regional 2 title!

At this point, for Gamecocks fans, it’s becoming a familiar sensation. Under the leadership of head coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina’s women’s basketball program has solidified its place as a powerhouse. This marks the defending NCAA tournament champions’ seventh trip to the national semifinal since Staley took the helm in 2008.

But don’t let the dominance fool you — Duke put up an intense fight in the Elite Eight. The Blue Devils even held a four-point lead heading into the final quarter, thanks to a stellar performance from freshman forward Toby Fournier, who almost pushed Staley and her squad to face a rare March setback.

When did South Carolina last lose in March Madness?

Speaking of rare losses, the last time South Carolina was defeated in March Madness was on March 31, 2023, at the hands of an Iowa team led by Caitlin Clark, a two-time AP Player of the Year and current WNBA standout. The Gamecocks fell short in a tough 77-73 loss. Since then, however, South Carolina has strung together 10 straight March Madness victories, with a major revenge win over Iowa the very next season, clinching the 2024 championship in an 87-75 victory.

Despite Staley’s impressive run, South Carolina’s sustained success isn’t entirely unprecedented. UConn dominated the tournament from 2013 to 2017, winning 24 consecutive games and securing the first four-peat in women’s basketball history. The Huskies have also captured multiple back-to-back titles, so the Gamecocks still have some catching up to do.

However, the inevitable happens — the mighty will fall. It’s rare, but it happens. UConn experienced this on the men’s side this year, with Dan Hurley’s decorated team being knocked out in the Round of 32 by Florida.

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!

Live Update: NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship – South Carolina vs. UConn

In an epic showdown for the NCAA women’s basketball national championship, the South Carolina Gamecocks are going head-to-head with the UConn Huskies this Sunday, April 6.

When it comes to NCAA women’s basketball, few teams enjoy the kind of popularity and dominance that UConn and South Carolina boast. This matchup, brimming with excitement, is sure to draw massive viewership. Both teams have earned their place at the top, largely due to the extraordinary success of their head coaches, Geno Auriemma of UConn and Dawn Staley of South Carolina. Their sustained excellence over the years has solidified both programs as dynasties of this era.

However, only one will stand as the national champion in 2025. With Paige Bueckers, UConn’s star guard, playing at an incredibly high level throughout the tournament, it’s tough to bet against her and the Huskies right now.

Ahead of the championship game, Bueckers sat down with the media on April 5 and shared her admiration for Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks program. The UConn guard praised the sustained excellence of Staley’s team and the challenges of maintaining such success.

“Sustained excellence is extremely hard, especially with the parity in women’s college basketball today,” Bueckers remarked, according to an X post from Julia Westerman of WIS News 10.

She continued, “So for them to continue to get back to this level, we know as players it’s extremely hard to get here. And you never want to take it for granted, but it speaks to the discipline, the attention to detail, and the demanded excellence that Coach Dawn has for her players. And we have great respect for her and the entire program.”

Bueckers’ words clearly reflect the high regard she has for Staley’s leadership and South Carolina’s consistent performance on the national stage.

As Sunday’s game approaches, no matter who walks away as the winner, both Dawn Staley and Paige Bueckers—along with their respective teams—have earned the ultimate respect for making it this far in the tournament.

Stay tuned for more updates as we head into one of the biggest games of the year.

The South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team as they prepare for a high-stakes showdown with the UConn Huskies. The stage is set for an intense game this Sunday, as the Gamecocks face off against UConn in a battle for the trophy, with the game set to begin at 3:00 p.m. at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Fans can catch the action live on ABC, or stream it on the ESPN app.

Under the leadership of Coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina captured the 2021-2022 National Championship, dominating UConn in the title game. Back then, the Gamecocks were a much different team. Coach Staley relied heavily on her starting five, which included Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke, Victaria Saxton, Brea Beal, and Destanni Henderson. These players started every game when available, with reserves getting limited opportunities unless the game was out of reach. In fact, during the championship game, Bree Hall, a true freshman, was the only bench player to log significant minutes, playing exactly 10 minutes in the fourth quarter.

Fast forward to today, and the Gamecocks are rolling with one of the deepest benches in the country. South Carolina now regularly plays its top reserves for 15 to 20 minutes per game. This season, 10 players averaged at least 10 minutes a game, with nine of them surpassing 18.9 minutes per game. Ashlyn Watkins, currently injured, is included in this depth rotation. However, Coach Staley isn’t hesitant to rely on her veteran starters, especially when it’s crunch time, as we’ve seen in previous games.

That experience and depth will be crucial in Sunday’s matchup. For the first time in years, South Carolina enters the game as an underdog, with UConn favored by over five points, according to most betting outlets. To overcome this, the Gamecocks will need big performances from their veteran leaders, including Bree Hall, Sania Feagin, and Raven Johnson. This trio earned rings as part of the 2021-2022 championship team, but they were not major contributors in the title game against UConn. In fact, they combined for just 11 minutes of play that day. Johnson was sidelined due to an ACL injury, Feagin was buried on the bench, and Hall had a limited role.

Now, three years later, these players are set to take on a larger role. Hall, Feagin, and Johnson have been critical to the Gamecocks’ defense this season and have stepped up with clutch performances throughout the tournament. “Big Shot Breezy” Hall, in particular, has a reputation for hitting key 3-pointers in the final moments of games. Both Feagin and Johnson have proven to be steadying forces in the tournament’s most pivotal moments.

Coach Staley will be counting on her experienced players to step up in a major way against Geno Auriemma and his top-tier UConn team. In 2022, these veterans were part of the team that ended UConn’s dynasty, and now they have a chance to solidify their own legacy by defeating the Huskies again, three years later.

The Gamecocks will have their hands full with the challenge ahead, but with their veteran leadership and the depth that Staley has developed, they’ll be ready to fight for the trophy. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as the game approaches. Stay tuned for more coverage of this exciting matchup!

SportsCenter Live Feed Update: South Carolina’s Dawn Staley Speaks Out on Media Coverage

In a fiery response to the national media’s portrayal of women’s basketball, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley addressed the coverage surrounding her team’s 2024 National Championship victory and the spotlight on Caitlin Clark of Iowa. The Gamecocks clinched a historic 87-75 win, completing a perfect 38-0 season. However, according to Staley, much of the media focus shifted almost entirely to Clark’s legacy and her championship aspirations, overshadowing South Carolina’s remarkable achievement.

Staley emphasized the significance of her team’s undefeated run, saying, “Everything was about Caitlin Clark and her legacy and her ability to win a national championship. Yet we were coming into this thing undefeated, doing something that’s unprecedented at the time, because it’s hard. It’s hard.”

With the upcoming matchup featuring UConn’s Paige Bueckers, Staley finds herself in a familiar situation, echoing the same feelings she had last year. “We find ourselves back here in a similar situation,” she remarked.

As the Gamecocks head into another Final Four, Staley was quick to highlight that her remarks weren’t meant to detract from Bueckers, whom she called “a great freakin’ player” — one who’s bound to be the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, an Olympian, and a standout star. But Staley made it clear that she felt compelled to advocate for her own players as well.

South Carolina has faced adversity this season, losing key players like Kamilla Cardoso, last year’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player, and Ashlyn Watkins, who suffered a season-ending injury. They also experienced unexpected losses during the regular season, marking their first three defeats since 2020-21. But the Gamecocks have bounced back with a 12-game winning streak, earning a fifth consecutive Final Four appearance — the second-longest streak in Division I history. Now, they have a chance to make history themselves as the first repeat champions in women’s basketball in over a decade.

Staley expressed, “I want the sentiments to be about our players and what our players have been able to do — equally, because there’s room to do both.” She added, “We can raise Paige up because she deserves that and raise our players up because they deserve that.”

A passionate advocate for the growth of women’s basketball, Staley believes the sport has reached a point where all players, teams, and storylines should be given their due recognition. “Let’s not choose one player over another player’s history,” she said, asserting that “we’re all creating history for our game.”

In their fourth meeting of the season, the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team showed no signs of struggle against the Texas Longhorns during their Final Four NCAA Tournament showdown on April 4, securing a commanding 74-57 victory.

With this win, the Gamecocks have now defeated Texas by a combined 53 points in their three victories, with their only loss to the Longhorns this season being a close 66-62 contest. While it’s always expected for Dawn Staley’s squad to dominate, given how well these two teams know each other, many might have anticipated a much tighter Final Four battle.

Despite not having her best game, junior forward Chloe Kitts still made an impact, contributing 6 points and 3 rebounds in 15 minutes of play, despite battling foul trouble. South Carolina, however, didn’t need a standout performance from Kitts to take control of the game.

After the game, Kitts spoke candidly about Texas’s performance, revealing her thoughts on the Longhorns’ fatigue.

“I mean, I feel like we made them tired. They looked exhausted,” Kitts said, as reported by ABC Columbia’s Noah Chast on X. “They kept shooting shots and they were short, and that just led us to points. And we were pretty consistent, so that was very helpful.”

As for the national championship game, Kitts expressed she had no preference on who South Carolina would face. It turned out to be the UConn Huskies, a team that is unlikely to tire easily against the Gamecocks.

Live Update: No. 2 South Carolina vs. No. 3 UConn – NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Game

The stage is set for a thrilling championship showdown as No. 2 South Carolina takes on No. 3 UConn in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The two powerhouse teams will face off on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, with tipoff scheduled for 3 p.m. EDT. Here’s everything you need to know to follow the game, from where to watch, betting odds, predictions, and more.

Game Details:

• Teams: No. 3 UConn (36-3, 18-0 AAC) vs. No. 2 South Carolina (35-3, 15-1 SEC)
• Date/Time: Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 3 p.m. EDT
• Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida

For Gamecock fans eager to stay up to date on all things related to their team, an exclusive offer lets you access insider coverage for just $1 for 7 days.

How to Watch & Listen to South Carolina vs. UConn:

• TV Broadcast: You can catch the game live on ABC, with a talented crew including Ryan Ruocco calling the play-by-play, Rebecca Lobo as the analyst, and Holly Rowe reporting from the sidelines.
• Streaming: To stream the game, head over to espn.com where you can use your TV provider credentials for access.
• South Carolina Radio/Streaming: For Gamecock fans, tune in to 106.7 FM in Columbia where Brad Muller will handle the broadcast. Pre-game coverage starts at 2:30 p.m. You can also listen to the South Carolina radio feed online here.
• Satellite Radio/Streaming: SiriusXM will carry the game on channel 84, with streaming available via siriusxm.com or the SiriusXM app.

Betting Odds & Predictions:

As of the latest update, UConn is favored by 6.5 points, with the total points over/under set at 132.5.

Computer & Expert Predictions:

• Massey Ratings predict a close game, with South Carolina edging out UConn 68-66, giving the Gamecocks a 53% chance of winning.
• Bart Torvik sees UConn coming out on top, predicting a 68-64 victory for the Huskies with a 66% probability of them winning.

Staff Predictions from GamecockCentral and 107.5 The Game:

• Chris Clark: Gamecocks 65-62
• Brian Shoemaker: Gamecocks 69-65
• Jack Veltri: Huskies 77-74

Be sure to follow the action as it unfolds with GamecockCentral, bringing live updates and game threads exclusively for subscribers. Updates will start about 30 minutes before tipoff on The Insiders Forum, offering a great opportunity to join the excitement as it happens!

Don’t miss out on being part of this incredible game!

At halftime of Friday night’s Final Four game, the match between Texas and South Carolina was tightly contested. After a slow start, Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks rallied to take a 38-35 lead into the locker room.

However, the second half was a different story. South Carolina came out strong in the third quarter, outscoring Texas 20-9. The Gamecocks dominated the rest of the way, securing a commanding 74-57 victory and clinching a spot in the national championship game for the second consecutive year.

In the pivotal third quarter, South Carolina’s offense found its rhythm. Five players contributed to the scoring, with Bree Hall leading the way with five points. The Gamecocks shot 9-for-16 from the field, while Texas struggled, making just 4-of-14 shots and only three players scoring.

Despite a brief push from Texas in the fourth quarter, where they cut the deficit to under 10 points, Te-Hina Paopao hit a crucial three-pointer to halt the Longhorns’ momentum. From there, South Carolina never looked back.

Paopao finished as South Carolina’s leading scorer with 14 points. Freshman Joyce Edwards had a standout performance, registering a double-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Hall rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Gamecocks with 11 points.

As a team, South Carolina was efficient, shooting 50.9% from the field and 7-of-11 from beyond the arc, while also recording 17 assists on 29 made field goals.

For Texas, Jordan Lee led the way with 16 points, while Madison Booker added 11, though she battled foul trouble in the first half, which kept her off the court for significant stretches. Rori Harmon was also impactful, finishing with eight points and seven rebounds.

Despite a strong start, Texas couldn’t maintain its offensive rhythm. The Longhorns shot just 39.3% overall and dropped to 30% in the second half, making only 9-of-30 attempts.

With the win, South Carolina now turns its attention to Sunday’s national championship game, where they’ll face the winner of the UConn vs. UCLA matchup.

More news……

When Did South Carolina Last Lose a Tournament Game? Dawn Staley’s Streak at risk

South Carolina has secured its fifth consecutive trip to the Final Four after narrowly edging past Duke to claim the Birmingham Regional 2 title!

At this point, for Gamecocks fans, it’s becoming a familiar sensation. Under the leadership of head coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina’s women’s basketball program has solidified its place as a powerhouse. This marks the defending NCAA tournament champions’ seventh trip to the national semifinal since Staley took the helm in 2008.

But don’t let the dominance fool you — Duke put up an intense fight in the Elite Eight. The Blue Devils even held a four-point lead heading into the final quarter, thanks to a stellar performance from freshman forward Toby Fournier, who almost pushed Staley and her squad to face a rare March setback.

When did South Carolina last lose in March Madness?

Speaking of rare losses, the last time South Carolina was defeated in March Madness was on March 31, 2023, at the hands of an Iowa team led by Caitlin Clark, a two-time AP Player of the Year and current WNBA standout. The Gamecocks fell short in a tough 77-73 loss. Since then, however, South Carolina has strung together 10 straight March Madness victories, with a major revenge win over Iowa the very next season, clinching the 2024 championship in an 87-75 victory.

Despite Staley’s impressive run, South Carolina’s sustained success isn’t entirely unprecedented. UConn dominated the tournament from 2013 to 2017, winning 24 consecutive games and securing the first four-peat in women’s basketball history. The Huskies have also captured multiple back-to-back titles, so the Gamecocks still have some catching up to do.

However, the inevitable happens — the mighty will fall. It’s rare, but it happens. UConn experienced this on the men’s side this year, with Dan Hurley’s decorated team being knocked out in the Round of 32 by Florida.

In an exciting season of milestones, the University of South Carolina’s softball team continues to make waves under the leadership of first-year head coach Ashley Chastain Woodard. The Gamecocks secured a 4-2 victory over Wofford College in a midweek Palmetto State matchup, improving to 28-7 on the season. The win, which took place during the team’s “Bark in the Park” event, was highlighted by fans bringing their dogs to the stands, adding a fun atmosphere to the game. While the team showed strength, Woodard noted areas that still need improvement.

“We won the game, found a way to squeak it by,” Woodard said in a post-game news conference. “I felt like we just were a little complacent after the bottom of the first when we took the lead. Just could never get anything going again.”

Woodard emphasized the importance of solid defense, pointing out a game-changing catch by center fielder Quincee Lillo, who made a crucial grab in right-center field.

This victory comes after a thrilling away series win against LSU, and the Gamecocks have now won their last three series against top 15 teams. Their performance has earned them unanimous Top 10 rankings in major college softball polls, with the D1Softball Poll ranking them at No. 6. This year’s squad has already surpassed last season’s win total, with a month left in the regular season, solidifying their status as one of the most improved teams in the country, as noted by On3.

“Even though, luckily tonight, we didn’t have to learn a terrible lesson with a loss, but we learned, you know, we I think we learned a lot,” Woodard said. “We’ve got to stay hungry… We’ve got to keep expecting really high standards every time we play – you know, just to protect ourselves.”

Woodard, who pitched for the Gamecocks from 2009 to 2011, has also coached internationally, including a stint with the German national team. Her coaching journey has prepared her well for this moment, both on and off the field.

“We won by two tonight just because, you know, we have talent,” she said. “… And it’s a fine line between, like, grace and humility and being really confident with where we’re at.”

Her team’s poise was on full display last weekend when they traveled to Baton Rouge and swept a top 5-ranked LSU team.

“Really proud of that day as a whole,” Woodard said. “It was really exciting after the game, getting on the bus. … Those are the moments that, you know, you dream of, that you live for.”

As the season progresses, keeping the team focused has become more challenging, especially as the buzz surrounding their success grows. Woodard jokingly shared that she takes the team’s phones away to prevent distractions from social media.

“I don’t think there’s a price tag on them feeling like they belong, which I think they do right now,” Woodard added. “And, you know, my job is to keep them in that place, whatever that looks like.”

With the Gamecock men’s baseball team struggling and being unranked for the first time since 2019, and Dawn Staley’s women’s basketball team continuing to dominate, South Carolina softball is now drawing significant fan attention.

“I definitely feel the momentum and the support because people have been so gracious,” Woodard said. “… And to be in the conversation, with South Carolina baseball and South Carolina women’s basketball is, you know, it’s an honor. I mean, those programs are perennial.”

Woodard knows that her role is pivotal in elevating the Gamecock softball program, and she embraces the expectations placed upon her.

“That’s why I was hired, to be honest,” Woodard said. “… (Athletic Director Ray Tanner) hired me to change the program and, you know, I’m just pouring my heart into it every day. And our staff is doing a really good job of… trying to make it something people want to follow.”

For many fans, Woodard embodies the spirit of Gamecock Nation, which has helped deepen their connection to the team.

“I’m kinda living my dream right now,” Woodard said. “This place is home. And, you know, I’m biased, but I do think it’s … the best place in America.”

With the team’s success, attendance at Beckham Field has surged, with multiple sellouts this season, according to the USC Athletic Department. Longtime supporter Emily Mack shared her excitement about the team’s rise.

“It’s incredible to see the energy and determination the girls bring to the field,” Mack said. “They’re making us proud every game. I first started following the team in 2018, but I’ve never seen this much buzz around them.”

Looking ahead, the Gamecocks are set to face No. 19 Ole Miss this weekend in a crucial SEC series.

“We’ve got to put our best foot forward,” Woodard said. “You cannot play not your best ball and expect to win an SEC series at this point. I think that we will match up well, and we’ll give them a battle through the weekend.”

The series coincides with Alumni Weekend at home, a significant event for the program.

“We’ve got 75 alumni coming back,” Woodard shared. “… We’re going to have a ton of support and excitement in the park and, you know, it’s going to be a hot one.”