Author: footballtopstar

The brackets are officially out, and the three teams joining South Carolina in Columbia are now known. Let’s break down the Gamecocks’ upcoming opponents.

Schedule:

– #8 Utah vs. #9 Indiana – 1:30 ET, Friday, March 21 (ESPN2)
– #1 South Carolina vs. #16 Tennessee Tech – 4:00 ET, Friday, March 21 (ESPN)

#16 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (26-5, 18-2) NET: 128

– All-time series: 4-2
– Tournament series: 0-1 (Tennessee Tech won 77-73 in 1989)
– Best tournament finish: Second round (three AIAW Elite Eight appearances)

Coached by former Ole Miss player Kim Rosamond, the Golden Eagles cruised through the Ohio Valley Conference, and have not lost since January 9. However, their schedule was relatively weak, with no games in Quad 1 or 3 and a 0-2 record in Quad 2 matchups. Their other matchups were against Quad 4 teams. Tennessee Tech is known for its balanced scoring attack, with six players averaging at least 9.6 points per game, and Reghan Grimes leading the way with 12.9 points per game.

#8 Utah Utes (22-8, 13-5) NET: 26

– All-time series: 1-0
– Tournament series: Never met
– Best tournament finish: Elite Eight in 2006

Utah faced a major challenge this season after the loss of Alissa Pili to the WNBA. Then, head coach Lynne Roberts left just four games in to take a job with the LA Sparks, handing over the reins to Gavin Peterson. Under his guidance, the Utes have managed to stay competitive, including a shocking upset of Notre Dame in November. Gianna Kneepkens has been a standout for Utah, averaging 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, while shooting 45% from three-point range.

#9 Indiana Hoosiers (19-12, 10-8) NET: 35

– All-time series: 4-2
– Tournament series: 1-0 (South Carolina won 79-75 in 2024)
– Best tournament finish: Elite Eight in 2021

The Hoosiers, dealing with the loss of Mackenzie Holmes to the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, have relied heavily on Yarden Garzon (14.5 points per game) and Sydney Parrish (11.9 points per game). Parrish notably gave South Carolina trouble last season, scoring 21 points to fuel a comeback attempt. Despite a rough start to the season with losses to Harvard and Butler, Indiana has improved significantly, including a notable win over 8 Ohio State and a couple of near upsets against Southern Cal.

Other teams to keep an eye on:

If things go according to plan, South Carolina could face either #4 Maryland or #5 Alabama in a potential Sweet 16 matchup. The Gamecocks already defeated Alabama 76-58 earlier this season in Tuscaloosa, and Dawn Staley has an undefeated record against the Crimson Tide. Meanwhile, Maryland started the season strong with a 14-0 record, but injuries hit them hard in January, and they finished the season 9-7.

Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as we head into the tournament.

In a heartbreaking turn of events on Saturday, South Carolina State’s hopes of securing the MEAC’s automatic NCAA tournament bid were dashed in the final moments of their game against Norfolk State. With just eight seconds left in regulation, Caleb McCarty committed a costly reach-in foul on Norfolk State’s Christian Ings after McCarty had just tied the game at 65-65 with a layup. McCarty had capitalized on a steal attempt by Jayden Johnson, but in a critical lapse, he fouled Ings as he advanced the ball up the court, likely unaware that the score was tied.

Instead of sending Norfolk State to the foul line to stop the clock and potentially regain possession, McCarty’s foul gave Ings two free throws. Ings made one of two, putting Norfolk State ahead 66-65. The Bulldogs still had a chance, as Drayton Jones grabbed the rebound from Ings’ missed free throw, setting up Johnson for a potential game-winner. Unfortunately, Johnson’s shot fell short at the buzzer, handing Norfolk State the 66-65 victory and the MEAC’s automatic NCAA bid.

Christian Ings led Norfolk State with 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Brian Moore Jr. added 16 points and seven rebounds, along with two steals. The Spartans, who finished the season 24-10 and 11-3 in the MEAC, now await their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2022.

For South Carolina State, who held a 34-25 lead at halftime, Wilson Dubinsky had a standout performance, scoring a game-high 24 points, including a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range. Omar Croskey was the only other Bulldog in double digits, contributing 10 points. Despite their strong performance, South Carolina State finishes the season with a 20-13 record, also 11-3 in the MEAC, and will have to wait another year to break their 22-year NCAA tournament drought.

The Philadelphia 76ers are in the midst of a difficult season, and it seems things may get even worse. NBA insider Shams Charania recently revealed on The Pat McAfee Show that the NBA has opened an investigation into the team due to a series of notable absences. “I’m told the Philadelphia 76ers are another team the NBA has started an investigation on and looked into,” Charania said, speaking on the Pat McAfee Show (6:13 mark). “Just based on, you’ve had Tyrese Maxey miss time, we know Paul George has missed time.”

The rise of load management has sparked controversy, as teams sit out star players for the sake of injury prevention. The league has cracked down on this practice, investigating injuries and fining teams found violating the policy. “I think with Philadelphia, it looks a little bit more legitimate, maybe,” Shams added. “Because you think about Tyrese Maxey, he’s been banged up all year. And Paul George, the five games before the All-Star break in February, I’m told Paul George was playing with pain-killing injections.”

Recently, the Utah Jazz were fined $100,000 for shutting down Lauri Markkanen for the remainder of the season, signaling the league’s serious stance against teams not playing their star players, even when there’s little left to compete for.

As for the 76ers, their season is essentially over. With a dismal 22-43 record, they sit 13th in the standings, five games behind the final play-in spot. The team’s hopes were high after acquiring Paul George last summer, but the 76ers have been one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Faced with a bleak future, it seems the 76ers have opted to rest their key players rather than risk any further injuries that could impact their chances next year.

It started with Joel Embiid, who has only played 19 games this season due to ongoing issues with his left knee. Despite averaging 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 44% shooting, the 76ers made the decision to shut him down. Meanwhile, Paul George has also been sidelined by groin and knee injuries and is expected to be out until next October. The team is likely to attempt to trade him in the offseason.

Tyrese Maxey, the youngest of the star trio, is also dealing with injuries. Tonight marks his fourth consecutive missed game due to a lower back sprain and finger sprain, though doubts remain over whether his absence is purely injury-related. For a team with little left to play for this season, it seems the 76ers have made the decision to rest their top players, keeping their focus on the long-term future despite the penalties they may face. After all, for the 76ers, avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on their stars may be worth any fine they incur.

In a live update, the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team is hosting an exciting watch party for the 2025 NCAA Tournament Selection Show at the Colonial Life Arena. This special event is happening on Sunday, March 16, and fans are encouraged to join the team for the live viewing of the Selection Show.

Tickets are free for general admission seating in Sections 104-106, as shared by Gamecocks Online, but fans should arrive early to secure their spots. While the Selection Show officially begins at 8 p.m. Eastern, doors will open at 6:30 p.m. to allow fans to participate in a pre-Selection Show event. Parking is also free, but spots are on a first-come, first-served basis in Lots A and B.

At 7 p.m., an hour before the show begins, fans can enjoy a variety of games with the chance to win prizes. Then, at 7:30 p.m., head coach Dawn Staley and the team will host a Q&A session, offering fans a chance to interact directly with the coaching staff and players.

After the Gamecocks’ bracket is revealed, Staley will close out the event with remarks.

This year’s Selection Show is especially exciting for Gamecocks fans, as the team is guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament following their dominant 64-45 win over the Texas Longhorns in the SEC Tournament final, securing their third consecutive SEC title.

For those unable to attend in person, the Selection Show will air live on ESPN at 8 p.m. Eastern. The two-hour NCAA Women’s Basketball Selection Special Presented by Capital One will be hosted by Elle Duncan, with Holly Rowe reporting, and bracket expert Charlie Creme offering insights, joined by analysts Andraya Carter, Rebecca Lobo, and Carolyn Peck. Fans can also stream the event on ESPN’s YouTube, Facebook, and the ESPN app.

If you’re also interested in the men’s NCAA Tournament bracket reveal, that will be announced at 6 p.m. Eastern, and can be viewed on CBS or ESPN, or streamed on Paramount+.

In a live report, the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team is hosting a watch party for the 2025 NCAA Tournament Selection Show at the Colonial Life Arena. This exciting event will take place on Sunday night, March 16, and is open to all fans who want to join the team in watching the Selection Show.

Tickets for general admission seating in Sections 104-106 are free, according to Gamecocks Online, but fans should arrive early. While the Selection Show will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern, doors open at 6:30 p.m., allowing fans to participate in a pre-Selection Show event. Parking is free, though it’s first-come, first-served in Lots A and B.

At 7 p.m., an hour before the show, fans will have the chance to compete in games for prizes. Then, at 7:30 p.m., head coach Dawn Staley and the team will host a Q&A session.

Once the Gamecocks’ bracket is revealed, Staley will close out the event.

This Selection Show is particularly exciting for fans, as the Gamecocks are guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament after clinching the SEC Tournament title with a dominant 64-45 victory over the Texas Longhorns. This win secured their third consecutive SEC championship.

For those unable to attend in person, the Selection Show will be broadcast live on ESPN at 8 p.m. Eastern. The two-hour special, NCAA Women’s Basketball Selection Special Presented by Capital One, will be hosted by Elle Duncan, with Holly Rowe reporting, and Charlie Creme offering bracket analysis, alongside analysts Andraya Carter, Rebecca Lobo, and Carolyn Peck. Fans can stream the event on ESPN’s YouTube, Facebook, or through the ESPN app.

If you’re also looking to catch the men’s NCAA tournament bracket reveal, that will air at 6 p.m. Eastern on CBS or ESPN, or you can stream it on Paramount+.

In a live report, McCoy shared that his exhaustion after the game was more mental than physical.

The majority of Oklahoma’s offensive push came during the third inning. They started strong with two base hits followed by a home run, regaining the lead at 3-1. However, South Carolina responded quickly in the fourth quarter with four hits and a single run, cutting Oklahoma’s lead down after three innings.

Oklahoma initially scored three runs in the first three innings, but after that, they could only add two more. Despite allowing seven hits early on, South Carolina’s defense tightened up, allowing just two more hits the rest of the way, including none between the sixth and ninth innings.

The Gamecocks’ offense didn’t ease up when Oklahoma brought in reliever Michael Catalano in the fifth. South Carolina took advantage of his second pitch, driving it to right field for a base hit. That hit set up a sacrifice fly by Jase Woita, pushing South Carolina’s lead to 6-4. The Sooners weren’t able to escape the inning without giving up another four runs, forcing another pitching change.

Overall, South Carolina scored seven runs, gathered six hits, and sent 16 batters to the plate over two innings. The Gamecocks continued to extend their lead, adding two more runs before the game ended.

“We’re trying to earn people’s respect, you got to go out there and earn that,” Mainieri said. “You earn it by playing well against good teams … There’s never been an ounce of negativity in the dugout, everybody’s been upbeat, positive, believing in themselves. And I think it shows the way our hitters are going up there and attacking the ball … We had some really really clutch hits today that allows you to put a crooked number up on the board.”

In a major achievement for South Carolina women’s basketball, MiLaysia Fulwiley has been named a finalist for the prestigious Dawn Staley Award. The announcement was made on Friday, and Fulwiley now finds herself in elite company, alongside Paige Bueckers of UConn, Juju Watkins from Southern Cal, and Hannah Hidalgo from Notre Dame.

Named after the Gamecocks’ head coach, Dawn Staley, the award honors the top NCAA Division I women’s basketball player who best exemplifies Staley’s signature qualities on the court: exceptional ball-handling, scoring, passing, and competitiveness. Previous winners of the award from South Carolina include Tiffany Mitchell and Ty Harris.

This season, Fulwiley has been instrumental to the Gamecocks’ success, averaging 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. Her growth as a defender has been notable, making her one of the top contributors for South Carolina.

From the South Carolina Athletics release:

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley is officially one of four finalists for the Dawn Staley Award, as announced by the Phoenix Club of Philadelphia. This honor is awarded annually to the NCAA Division I women’s basketball player who embodies the qualities Staley displayed throughout her legendary career – a combination of ball-handling, scoring, distributing the ball, and a relentless will to win.

Earlier this month, Fulwiley was recognized as the SEC Sixth Woman of the Year and earned a spot on the All-SEC Second Team, as voted by the league’s coaches. Her strong performance continued as she was named to the SEC Tournament All-Tournament Team, helping lead the Gamecocks to their third consecutive SEC title. The Columbia, S.C., native is currently second on the team in scoring with 12.0 points per game, including an impressive 13.4 points per game in SEC regular-season play. She has reached double figures in 11 of her last 13 games, with a career-high 24 points scored against Vanderbilt. Fulwiley has been the leading scorer for the Gamecocks in seven games this season.

Fulwiley’s influence grew significantly during SEC play, where she embraced a strong defensive role. She ranks 10th in the league in blocks per conference game, making her the top shot-blocking guard in the SEC, and she also stands 9th in steals per game. She has posted eight games with at least three steals, including a standout performance with five steals against a top-15 opponent.

The No. 2-ranked South Carolina team is awaiting the announcement of their seeding and first-round opponent for the 2025 NCAA Tournament, which will be revealed on Selection Sunday, March 16th, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Fans can follow GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for the latest updates.

The Dawn Staley Award Finalists:

• Paige Bueckers, UConn
• MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina
• Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
• Juju Watkins, Southern Cal

In an exclusive conversation with host Brad Muller, South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley shared exciting insights about the Gamecocks’ quest to break new attendance records. South Carolina has been the leader in national attendance since the 2014-2015 season, the year A’ja Wilson joined the team, and this year, they have already set new all-time records for both total and average attendance, achieved during their undefeated 2023-2024 national championship campaign. As March approaches, it looks like the Gamecocks could be on track to break those records again.

It’s important to note that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the attendance figures from the 2020-2021 season are considered unofficial.

Staley expressed confidence in the fans, calling the record-breaking feat “easy” for the dedicated Gamecock supporters, known as the FAMs. She emphasized, “If you challenge the FAMs, they’ll come through.”

As of now, the total attendance record stands at just over 273,000. With Colonial Life Arena expecting a crowd of 18,000 for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, South Carolina is poised to break that record. The Gamecocks will host the first two rounds, and barring any unexpected setbacks, a victory over a likely 16-seed in the opener will likely help the team surpass the total attendance mark. However, it’s worth noting that the NCAA Tournament doesn’t always sell out due to unpredictable schedules and rising ticket prices.

The second round of the tournament will also be a significant milestone, marking USC’s 17th game of the 2024-2025 season, which equals the number of contests played in last year’s record-breaking campaign. If the Gamecocks can surpass 273,133 fans in total attendance this season, they’ll not only set a new record for overall attendance but also beat their previous average attendance record.

For fans wondering when to buy tickets, the exact dates for South Carolina’s games in the NCAA Tournament are still up in the air. However, fans can tune into ESPN’s Selection Sunday show at 8:00 p.m. on March 16th to find out more. The show will also be available for streaming on the ESPN app.

Eli Ellis, a future South Carolina basketball guard, is currently playing in the Overtime Elite championship series and is putting on a show. On Thursday night, he led his YNG Dreamerz team to a thrilling victory in game three, giving them a 2-1 series lead over the City Reapers. In the process, Ellis set an all-time record for the league.

The standout performance included 33 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals. His four assists now make him the all-time leader in the Overtime Elite record books. Not only that, but he also holds the title as the league’s all-time leading scorer, and is a two-time defending MVP.

Ellis has been dominant throughout the series, showing off his skill in the first two games as well. For the series, he’s averaging an impressive 36.3 points per game, shooting over 50% from the field and beyond the arc. Now, with just one more win, the future Gamecock guard is on the verge of clinching an Overtime Elite championship.

Game four will take place on Friday, March 14th at 7:00 p.m., with game five (if needed) set for Sunday, March 16th at 3:00 p.m. Both games will be available to stream on Overtime Elite’s YouTube channel.

In case you missed it, Ellis, ranked as the No. 70 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking, committed to South Carolina last fall. He will be joining the team this summer, alongside teammate Hayden Assemian, a fellow Palmetto State native. Meanwhile, his brother Isaac Ellis and Kohl Rosario, both part of the 2026 class, are also USC targets.

In addition to Ellis and Assemian, South Carolina has secured two other commitments for the class of 2025: sharpshooting wing Grant Polk and versatile forward EJ Walker. This four-man class is currently ranked 49th nationally.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting Gamecock recruiting class and Ellis’s pursuit of an Overtime Elite championship.