Author: footballtopstar

  • South Carolina Football Graduate Lands Lucrative NFL Deal

    In a major move for both the Seattle Seahawks and former South Carolina football star Ernest Jones, the linebacker has secured his future in the NFL. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapaport, Jones has inked a three-year deal worth $33 million with the Seahawks. Following his mid-season trade from the Tennessee Titans to Seattle, Jones is staying put, and this offseason, he will be a key part of the team. Notably, about $15 million of his new contract is guaranteed, pushing him into the NFL’s top-10 highest-paid linebackers, both in terms of total value and annual salary.

    The Seahawks’ decision to retain Jones comes as no surprise. After his trade, he quickly made an impact, racking up nearly 100 tackles over the course of just 10 games. Despite missing one week while the trade was processed, Jones still finished the 2024 season ranked 13th in the league for total tackles. Had he been available for that missing week, he likely would have been in the top 10.

    Jones played a significant role in the Seahawks’ surge during the second half of the season, helping them win six of their last eight games and turning them from playoff outsiders to legitimate contenders. However, Seattle fell just short of winning the NFC West, losing to the Los Angeles Rams via tiebreaker.

    Despite his impressive performance, Jones was once again overlooked for the Pro Bowl, continuing a trend from previous years. His 138 tackles in 2024 came after a career-high 145-tackle season in 2023, a campaign in which he also set a Los Angeles Rams franchise record for most tackles in a single season, despite missing two games.

    During his time with South Carolina, Jones earned All-SEC honors and served as team captain. A 3-star recruit coming out of high school, he defied expectations to become a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Widely regarded as one of the top linebackers in Gamecock history, Jones would likely have left an even more significant mark on the program’s record books had he played more than just two full seasons at the college level.

  • South Carolina limits Texas to record-low point total in first half of SEC Championship

    In the SEC Tournament, the final matchup fans anticipated came to fruition as No. 1 South Carolina and No. 2 Texas faced off once again in Greenville. However, it was clear early on that this third game between the two teams was firmly in the hands of the Gamecocks.

    South Carolina dominated the first half, heading into the break with a commanding 33-16 lead over the Longhorns. The 16 points scored by Texas marked the fewest-ever points in a half in an SEC Championship game.

    The Longhorns struggled significantly with their shooting, converting just 8 of 27 attempts (29.6% from the field). Texas was only down by two points after the opening quarter, having managed 10 points on 33% shooting. But things quickly unraveled from there as the Longhorns managed only 6 more points at a dismal 25% shooting in the second quarter, allowing South Carolina to push their lead to 17.

    We’ll continue to update this report as more unfolds.


    Now, shifting to the latest from the 2024-2025 Women’s Basketball Transfer Portal, it has become a crucial aspect of college athletics, and women’s basketball is no exception. Last year, notable players such as Deja Kelly, Georgia Amoore, Kaylene Smikle, and Hailey van Lith made waves by entering the portal and securing new teams. This year, the movement continues, with several athletes already declaring their intent to transfer.

    On3 is closely tracking all of these movements and will be updating the list regularly. As of now, there have been 40 entries, with 4 confirmed commitments. Notably, there have been no withdrawals yet.

    For instance, Aislin Malcolm, a 5-10 guard from Pittsburgh, is transferring to Robert Morris, while Aliyah Matharu, a standout senior guard from Florida, has committed to Baylor for the 2024-25 season.

    This is just a snapshot of the ongoing activity, and more names will surely follow. Be sure to check back for the latest updates.

    More news….

    South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts Named SEC Player of the Week

    South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts Named SEC Player of the Week

    In a standout performance on Monday, Chloe Kitts, forward for South Carolina women’s basketball, was named the SEC Player of the Week. This recognition follows her remarkable achievement of securing just the ninth triple-double in Gamecock history during a win against Ole Miss. Kitts then followed up with a dominant double-double against Kentucky, leading USC to victories in both games.

    In her historic triple-double, Kitts recorded 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, with the 10 assists marking a career-high — doubling her previous best. Her 13 rebounds were just one shy of her personal best. This triple-double is the first for South Carolina since Aliyah Boston achieved the feat during the 2020-2021 season.

    For the week, Kitts averaged 14.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, helping to propel South Carolina to a share of the SEC regular season title. This marks the third consecutive year Kitts has been part of a team that has claimed the regular season championship.

    Looking ahead, Kitts and the Gamecocks will head to Greenville, South Carolina, for the SEC Tournament. Thanks to a coin flip tiebreaker, USC will enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and will have a double-bye, meaning their first game will be on Friday.

    If they secure the SEC Tournament title, it would be the fourth consecutive championship for the program and likely solidify their spot as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

    Stay updated on South Carolina women’s basketball over at The Insiders Forum!

     

  • South Carolina basketball commit excels in first two games of OTE championship

    The Overtime Elite Championship, South Carolina basketball commit Eli Ellis and his YNG Dreamerz squad are making waves in a thrilling series against the City Reapers. Alongside fellow Gamecock commit Hayden Assemian and class of 2026 targets Isaac Ellis and Kohl Rosario, Eli has been a standout, with all four players contributing significantly in the first two games. However, it’s Eli Ellis who has truly stolen the spotlight.

    In this best-of-five series, which is currently tied 1-1, Ellis has been the top offensive force, outshining numerous other elite college prospects. In Game 1, despite a controversial ejection, Ellis still managed to rack up 29 points on 10-of-18 shooting in just 20 minutes of play. The ejection followed some heated exchanges, including a confrontation with Amari Evans, a Tennessee commit, after a few City Reapers players threw elbows. As a result, both Assemian and Ellis were ejected from the game.

    Game 2 saw Ellis elevate his performance even further, scoring a remarkable 47 points while shooting 63%. He and his younger brother Isaac Ellis combined for 72 of their team’s 79 points. Unfortunately, the rest of the team struggled, making only three field goals in total, which led to a loss.

    Across the first two games, Eli has shown an incredible ability to score in various ways—whether it’s finishing inside, hitting 8-of-15 from beyond the arc, or knocking down shots off the dribble with defenders tightly guarding him. If he can translate this offensive brilliance to the collegiate level, South Carolina fans can expect to see plenty of excitement in the coming years.

    As for the next chapter of the series, the Ellis brothers will have to wait until March 13th for the next game. The remaining matches—Games 3 through 5—will be streamed live on Overtime Elite’s YouTube channel.

    More news…..

    Kyle Kennard Discusses How South Carolina Prepared Him for the NFL

    The highly anticipated NFL Scouting Combine has officially kicked off, marking the biggest pre-draft event of the offseason. Before taking part in individual drills on the field, players have the opportunity to speak with the media, as was the case with former South Carolina Gamecock Kyle Kennard.

    Kennard, who transferred from Georgia Tech to South Carolina as part of the 2024 transfer class, had a standout year in the garnet and black. While his on-field performance has certainly contributed to his rise as a top prospect, Kennard shared with the media just how much the Gamecocks program has helped him off the field.

    “They kind of helped me with the seriousness of it,” Kennard explained. “They helped me get my mind orchestrated. They helped me with communications with the media and other things that you need to be ready for at this stage.”

    As players like Kennard prepare for the upcoming draft in April, they will go through a series of team and media interviews. The development of their communication skills and professional media training plays a significant role in boosting their draft prospects.

    The reigning Nagurski Trophy winner is expected to be picked within the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.

  • South Carolina’s Projected March Madness Bracket Following Win Over Oklahoma in SEC Tournament

    South Carolina's Projected March Madness Bracket Following Win Over Oklahoma in SEC Tournament

    South Carolina women’s basketball has made history by advancing to its sixth consecutive SEC Tournament championship game, setting a new conference record. The No. 1 seed Gamecocks defeated No. 5 Oklahoma 93-75 on Saturday, securing their 29th win of the 2024-25 season. South Carolina will face second-seeded Texas (31-2) in the championship game on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.

    Following the victory, Coach Dawn Staley spoke to the ESPN College GameDay team and made her feelings clear regarding the NCAA Tournament seeding, which will be finalized on March 16.

    “We play the best schedule in the country, we have the toughest schedule,” Staley said. “Did we have a bad game vs. Connecticut? Sure. But don’t discount what we did all season long.”

    How the Win Affects South Carolina’s NCAA Tournament Seed

    Right after Staley’s comments, ESPN’s Charlie Creme, who has been tracking NCAA Tournament projections for the past two months, weighed in on the Gamecocks’ seeding. “Coach, your No. 1 seed is solidified,” Creme said. “Don’t worry about it, get a good night’s sleep, try to win tomorrow’s game, but it won’t matter if you win Sunday as far as the No. 1 seed goes.”

    Initially, Creme had projected South Carolina (29-3) as a No. 2 seed in Spokane, Washington, after their loss to UConn on February 16. However, he has since moved them back to a consistent No. 1 seed in the Birmingham region.

    As of 5:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, ESPN’s latest projections placed South Carolina as a No. 1 seed, with the Gamecocks hosting in Columbia for the Birmingham 4 Region. Creme’s bracket had Illinois (No. 8), Richmond (No. 9), and the winner of a First Four game between UNC Greensboro and High Point (No. 16) set to join South Carolina in the region.

    With Oklahoma (25-7) ranked No. 10, South Carolina’s dominant win over the Sooners was a significant factor in impressing bracketologists, but a third straight SEC Tournament championship would likely seal the Gamecocks’ No. 1 seed for March Madness.

    Previous news….

    South Carolina Women’s Basketball Preview of SEC Game Against Oklahoma

    The South Carolina Gamecocks breezed through their first-round matchup against Vanderbilt, but Saturday’s contest against Oklahoma promises to be a much tighter affair.

    As the SEC Women’s Tournament enters its semifinal phase, the No. 1-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks are set to face off against the No. 5 overall seed, Oklahoma. Both teams are ranked in the top-10 in women’s college basketball, making this game a highly anticipated showdown.

    South Carolina vs. Oklahoma Prediction: ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives the Gamecocks an 86.6% chance to win, while the Sooners are given a 13.6% chance.

    South Carolina Women’s Basketball vs. Oklahoma Betting Line Update: According to FanDuel, South Carolina enters as a 12.5-point favorite, with the total set at 152.5 points.

    Oklahoma’s head coach, Jennie Baranczyk, shared her thoughts on how to slow down the powerhouse Gamecocks, saying, “Well, I don’t know that. I don’t know, they are so good. It’s a game of runs and South Carolina is so good. And how many times have they played in this building, I just want us to come out here to compete.” She continued, “You don’t stop them, you just try to do the best you can.”

    How to Watch: South Carolina Women’s Basketball vs. Oklahoma

    • GameDay: Saturday, March 8th
    • Game Time: 4:30 PM EST
    • Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, South Carolina
    • Broadcast: SEC Network+
  • SEC Tournament Semifinals: South Carolina Defeats Oklahoma 93-75

    SEC Tournament Semifinals: South Carolina Defeats Oklahoma 93-75The Lady Gamecocks are heading to the SEC Championship game after a dominant 93-75 win over the Oklahoma Sooners in the semifinal round. This victory further solidifies their impressive season in the SEC, with their only loss being to Texas during the regular season. South Carolina will face the winner of the LSU vs. Texas matchup in the final.

    Having finished the regular season with a 15-1 conference record, South Carolina shared the SEC regular season title with Texas. A coin flip ultimately awarded the Gamecocks the No. 1 seed in the tournament.

    In the semifinal clash, Joyce Edwards was a standout, scoring 21 points and grabbing five rebounds. MiLaysia Fulwiley contributed 19 points, while Sania Feagin added 14 points to the scoreline.

    South Carolina is now in pursuit of their third consecutive conference title, having won four of the last five championships, with the exception of the 2022 season. As the defending national champions, the Gamecocks are positioning themselves for a strong NCAA Tournament run.

    The SEC Championship game is scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.

    Previous news…..

    Recent Ranking Changes Elevate South Carolina Football Target to 4-Star Status

    South Carolina Football Recruiting Target Tamarion Watkins Boosted to 4-Star Status

    We’re closely following South Carolina’s pursuit of Tamarion Watkins, one of the top football recruits in the Palmetto State. The Northwestern High School standout is a physical force on the field, standing at an imposing 6’4″ and weighing 201 pounds. His combination of size and athleticism has caught the attention of major programs, including Georgia, who have shown interest in potentially using him as a linebacker. However, USC defensive backs coach Torrian Gray sees him more as a versatile, long safety for the Gamecocks’ secondary. On3, along with other major recruiting outlets, currently ranks him as a safety.

    Recent updates to the 2026 rankings have propelled Watkins to a prestigious position. He now holds a fourth-star ranking in the On3 industry composite rankings—a weighted average from On3, 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals. This jump comes after On3, 247Sports, and Rivals all updated their rankings in recent weeks. Watkins is now placed at No. 312 nationally, No. 7 in South Carolina, and No. 26 among safeties nationwide. Rivals is especially high on Watkins, ranking him as the No. 125 player in the nation and the top recruit in South Carolina.

    Notably, GamecockCentral’s Chris Clark recently included Watkins on a list of prospects who could soon earn South Carolina’s On3 RPM picks. Clark reports that despite a competitive offer list, South Carolina has positioned itself well in Watkins’ recruitment.

    As of now, the Gamecocks have five commitments in the 2026 class, currently ranked 14th overall. This group includes 4-star safety J’Zavien Currence, 4-star tight end Jamel Howse, 4-star linebacker/EDGE Keenan Britt, 3-star defensive back Peyton Dyer, and 3-star offensive lineman Anthony Baxter. Interestingly, both Currence and Baxter are from Rock Hill, just like Watkins.

    Stay tuned for more updates on this rising prospect and South Carolina’s recruiting efforts.

  • South Carolina Women’s Basketball Preview of SEC Game Against Oklahoma

    The South Carolina Gamecocks breezed through their first-round matchup against Vanderbilt, but Saturday’s contest against Oklahoma promises to be a much tighter affair.

    As the SEC Women’s Tournament enters its semifinal phase, the No. 1-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks are set to face off against the No. 5 overall seed, Oklahoma. Both teams are ranked in the top-10 in women’s college basketball, making this game a highly anticipated showdown.

    South Carolina vs. Oklahoma Prediction: ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives the Gamecocks an 86.6% chance to win, while the Sooners are given a 13.6% chance.

    South Carolina Women’s Basketball vs. Oklahoma Betting Line Update: According to FanDuel, South Carolina enters as a 12.5-point favorite, with the total set at 152.5 points.

    Oklahoma’s head coach, Jennie Baranczyk, shared her thoughts on how to slow down the powerhouse Gamecocks, saying, “Well, I don’t know that. I don’t know, they are so good. It’s a game of runs and South Carolina is so good. And how many times have they played in this building, I just want us to come out here to compete.” She continued, “You don’t stop them, you just try to do the best you can.”

    How to Watch: South Carolina Women’s Basketball vs. Oklahoma

    • GameDay: Saturday, March 8th
    • Game Time: 4:30 PM EST
    • Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, South Carolina
    • Broadcast: SEC Network+

    More news…..

    Recent Ranking Changes Elevate South Carolina Football Target to 4-Star Status

    South Carolina Football Recruiting Target Tamarion Watkins Boosted to 4-Star Status

    We’re closely following South Carolina’s pursuit of Tamarion Watkins, one of the top football recruits in the Palmetto State. The Northwestern High School standout is a physical force on the field, standing at an imposing 6’4″ and weighing 201 pounds. His combination of size and athleticism has caught the attention of major programs, including Georgia, who have shown interest in potentially using him as a linebacker. However, USC defensive backs coach Torrian Gray sees him more as a versatile, long safety for the Gamecocks’ secondary. On3, along with other major recruiting outlets, currently ranks him as a safety.

    Recent updates to the 2026 rankings have propelled Watkins to a prestigious position. He now holds a fourth-star ranking in the On3 industry composite rankings—a weighted average from On3, 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals. This jump comes after On3, 247Sports, and Rivals all updated their rankings in recent weeks. Watkins is now placed at No. 312 nationally, No. 7 in South Carolina, and No. 26 among safeties nationwide. Rivals is especially high on Watkins, ranking him as the No. 125 player in the nation and the top recruit in South Carolina.

    Notably, GamecockCentral’s Chris Clark recently included Watkins on a list of prospects who could soon earn South Carolina’s On3 RPM picks. Clark reports that despite a competitive offer list, South Carolina has positioned itself well in Watkins’ recruitment.

    As of now, the Gamecocks have five commitments in the 2026 class, currently ranked 14th overall. This group includes 4-star safety J’Zavien Currence, 4-star tight end Jamel Howse, 4-star linebacker/EDGE Keenan Britt, 3-star defensive back Peyton Dyer, and 3-star offensive lineman Anthony Baxter. Interestingly, both Currence and Baxter are from Rock Hill, just like Watkins.

    Stay tuned for more updates on this rising prospect and South Carolina’s recruiting efforts.

  • South Carolina Basketball and Dawn Staley Secure No. 1 Seed in SEC Tournament After Winning Coin Flip

    In a thrilling conclusion to the regular season, South Carolina women’s basketball earned the No. 1 seed for the 2025 SEC Tournament following a coin flip this Sunday. The Gamecocks (26-3, 15-1 SEC) were tied with Texas (29-2, 15-1) in conference wins, and with no other tiebreaker in place, a coin flip determined the top seed.

    The dramatic moment unfolded during halftime of the Ole Miss vs. LSU game, where SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey performed the coin flip. He tossed the coin in the air, caught it, and revealed the Gamecocks’ logo, sealing South Carolina’s spot as the No. 1 seed.

    “It was kind of exciting,” coach Dawn Staley remarked shortly after. “The build-up was good. I know when you’re part of the equation, it doesn’t feel good to have your fate in a coin toss and I didn’t know that eight other sports use a coin flip. That was news to me. I feel a little better about it now.”

    Earlier in the week, Staley joked about the unusual method of determination, saying, “Imagine if it was football,” referencing the unlikely idea of using a coin flip to decide something as crucial as the No. 1 seed.

    South Carolina closed out its regular season with a gritty 78-66 victory over No. 14 Kentucky, finishing with 11 wins over ranked teams and 10 victories against top 20 NET-ranked opponents. This victory marked the Gamecocks’ fourth consecutive regular-season title and the fifth in the last six years, solidifying Staley’s legacy in the conference. Over the years, the team has now claimed nine regular-season titles and has hoisted the SEC Tournament trophy eight times.

    As for the SEC Tournament, the Gamecocks will take to the court on Friday, March 7, at noon ET. South Carolina’s potential opponents will emerge from the matchup between No. 9 Tennessee and No. 16 Texas A&M on Wednesday. The winner of that game will then face No. 8 Vanderbilt on Thursday, with the victor advancing to play the Gamecocks.

    Here’s the full schedule for the 2025 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament:

    Wednesday, March 5:

    • Game 1: 9-seed Tennessee vs. 16-seed Texas A&M, 11 a.m. ET on SEC Network
    • Game 2: 12-seed Georgia vs. 13-seed Arkansas, approx. 1:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network
    • Game 3: 10-seed Mississippi State vs. 15-seed Missouri, 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network
    • Game 4: 11-seed Florida vs. 14-seed Auburn, approx. 8:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network

    Thursday, March 6:

    • Game 5: 8-seed Vanderbilt vs. Game 1 winner, 11 a.m. ET on SEC Network
    • Game 6: 5-seed Oklahoma vs. Game 2 winner, approx. 1:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network
    • Game 7: 7-seed Ole Miss vs. Game 3 winner, 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network
    • Game 8: 6-seed Alabama vs. Game 4 winner, approx. 8:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network

    Friday, March 7:

    • Game 9: 1-seed South Carolina vs. Game 5 winner, Noon ET on ESPN
    • Game 10: 4-seed Kentucky vs. Game 6 winner, approx. 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
    • Game 11: 2-seed Texas vs. Game 7 winner, 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network
    • Game 12: 3-seed LSU vs. Game 8 winner, approx. 8:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network

    Saturday, March 8:

    • Game 13: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2
    • Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, approx. 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2

    Sunday, March 9:

    • Championship Game: Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner, 3 p.m. ET on ESPN

    The stage is set for what promises to be an exciting tournament, and all eyes will be on South Carolina as they aim for yet another SEC title.

  • South Carolina Women’s Basketball Climbs in AP Rankings

    The latest developments in South Carolina women’s basketball. Head coach

    The latest developments in South Carolina women’s basketball. Head coach Dawn Staley and her Gamecocks have clinched a share of the SEC regular season title for the fourth consecutive year and the fifth time in the last six seasons. In a twist of fate, the University of South Carolina secured the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament through a coin flip against the Texas Longhorns, a team they tied with in the SEC standings.

    This past Monday, the AP updated its top-25 rankings, and the Gamecocks saw a slight improvement, moving up to the No. 5 spot overall, a one-place jump from their previous No. 6 ranking.

    Here’s the latest AP Top 25 poll:

    1. Texas Longhorns (25)
    2. Southern Cal Trojans (6)
    3. UConn Huskies
    4. UCLA Bruins
    5. South Carolina Gamecocks
    6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
    7. NC State Wolfpack
    8. TCU Horned Frogs
    9. LSU Tigers
    10. Oklahoma Sooners
    11. Duke Blue Devils
    12. Kentucky Wildcats
    13. Ohio State Buckeyes
    14. North Carolina Tar Heels
    15. Maryland Terrapins
    16. West Virginia Mountaineers
    17. Baylor Bears
    18. Tennessee Lady Volunteers
    19. Alabama Crimson Tide
    20. Kansas State Wildcats
    21. Oklahoma State Cowboys
    22. Florida State Seminoles
    23. Creighton Blue Jays
    24. Michigan State Spartans
    25. South Dakota State Jackrabbits

    As we move into this week, the SEC Tournament will kick off in Greenville, South Carolina, with games starting on Wednesday afternoon. Thanks to their double-bye, the Gamecocks won’t take the floor again until Friday, when they will face either the Texas A&M Aggies, Tennessee Lady Volunteers, or Vanderbilt Commodores. In the first round, Texas A&M and Tennessee will clash, and the winner will face Vanderbilt in the second round. From there, the winner of that game will move on to face South Carolina.

    If the Gamecocks can secure a victory in the quarterfinals, they are likely to face the Kentucky Wildcats. Meanwhile, the Arkansas Razorbacks, Georgia Bulldogs, and Oklahoma Sooners will be fighting to advance from Kentucky’s side of the bracket.

    A highly anticipated rematch with the Texas Longhorns is expected to be on the horizon, with both teams potentially vying for the SEC Tournament title. Texas, now ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, split the season series with South Carolina earlier this year.

    Following their victory over Kentucky on Sunday, the Gamecocks improved to an impressive 27-3 overall, finishing with a 15-1 record in conference play. After enduring two top-10 losses within just eight days, South Carolina rebounded by winning four straight games to close out the regular season. The AP has certainly recognized this strong finish, rewarding the Gamecocks with their rise in the rankings.

    Stay tuned as we continue to follow South Carolina’s journey through the SEC Tournament.

  • South Carolina and Dawn Staley’s Position in March Madness Bracket Predictions Ahead of SEC Tournament

    In the final stretch of the regular season and just days away from the start of conference tournaments, the South Carolina women’s basketball team is poised to secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

    Currently ranked No. 6 with a 27-3 record (15-1 in the SEC), the Gamecocks are projected to host the opening round of the tournament before moving on to play in the Birmingham Region. Interestingly, just two weeks ago, after their loss to UConn, projections had the Gamecocks heading to Spokane, Washington.

    South Carolina enters the SEC Tournament as the No. 1 seed, with its first game slated for Friday at noon ET at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville.

    Here’s the latest update on where South Carolina stands in NCAA Tournament projections:

    South Carolina’s NCAA Tournament Outlook

    According to ESPN’s Charlie Creme, the Gamecocks are still projected as a No. 1 seed, with the first-round games to be played in Columbia within the Birmingham 4 Region. The current bracket features Illinois (No. 8), Richmond (No. 9), and the winner of a First Four matchup between UNCG and High Point (No. 16). If the Gamecocks’ projections hold, they would face either UNCG or High Point, and the winner of that game would then meet Illinois or Richmond.

    South Carolina’s NCAA Tournament Résumé and NET Ranking

    In terms of rankings, the Gamecocks fell to No. 2 in the NCAA’s NET rankings, with UConn overtaking them for the top spot last week. South Carolina’s impressive performance this season includes a strong 8-2 record on the road, 5-0 on neutral courts, and 14-1 at home. The Gamecocks are also dominant in Quadrant 1 matchups, boasting a 14-3 record. In addition, they are 3-0 in Quad 2, 3-0 in Quad 3, and 7-0 in Quad 4 games. Notably, South Carolina leads the nation with the most Quad 1 wins this season, having secured 11 victories over ranked opponents.

    South Carolina’s Rich NCAA Tournament History

    South Carolina’s legacy in NCAA basketball under head coach Dawn Staley is undeniable. The Gamecocks have captured three national championships since 2017, including a perfect 38-0 season in 2023-24. In addition, they have made six Final Four appearances, seven Elite Eight runs, and 14 Sweet 16 appearances. On the conference level, South Carolina has claimed the SEC tournament title eight times and has been crowned SEC regular-season champion eight times as well.

    Stay tuned as the Gamecocks look to add another chapter to their storied program in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

  • South Carolina Gamecocks Shock Arkansas with Convincing Victory

    South Carolina Gamecocks Shock Arkansas with Convincing Victory

    In a stunning turn of events, the South Carolina Gamecocks have pulled off a commanding 72-53 victory over Arkansas, marking their biggest win of the season.

    Despite struggling this year, with only one conference win before this matchup, the Gamecocks delivered a performance to remember, potentially shifting the momentum as they head into the final stretch of their season. Arkansas, on the other hand, came into this game as a bubble team, with their postseason aspirations now at serious risk following this loss.

    Colin Murray-Boyles was absolutely unstoppable for South Carolina, finishing the game with 35 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Nick Pringle also had a standout performance, contributing 19 points and nine rebounds. For Arkansas, Karter Knox led the way with 11 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Gamecocks’ dominance.

    Looking ahead, South Carolina has a chance to close out the season with matchups against Georgia and Tennessee. Their postseason hopes now hinge on making a deep run in the SEC Tournament.

    More news…..

    Kitts Guides Gamecocks to Victory Over Ole Miss with Triple-Double Performance

    Chloe Kitts

    No. 6 South Carolina wrapped up their final SEC road game of the season with a 75-59 victory over Ole Miss, extending their win streak over the Rebels to 20 consecutive games.

    Veteran players Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin were pivotal in the Gamecocks’ success, combining for an impressive 38 points in what turned out to be a historic night for the team.

    Chloe Kitts made history by recording South Carolina’s first triple-double since Aliyah Boston back in 2021. Kitts finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and a career-high 10 assists—marking the first points/rebounds/assists triple-double for the Gamecocks since 2006 and the first ever against an SEC opponent. Kitts also added four steals and one block to her standout performance.

    Meanwhile, Sania Feagin delivered a career-best 22 points on an efficient 10-for-13 shooting performance, including 16 points in the first half, which was the second-most for any Gamecock in a half this season. She also contributed five blocks in a strong defensive showing.

    Joyce Edwards continued her consistent play, scoring 10 points to mark her fifth straight game in double figures. Edwards put up eight of those points in the final quarter, showcasing her clutch performance when the Gamecocks needed it most.

    MiLayisa Fulwiley found her rhythm in the second half, scoring seven of her nine points after the break and hitting a key three-pointer in the third quarter to help maintain South Carolina’s double-digit lead.

    The Gamecocks showed strong teamwork, assisting on 20 of their 29 field goals, and demonstrated their defensive prowess by out-stealing Ole Miss 10 to 6.

    In all, South Carolina executed on both ends of the floor, securing another dominant win in their quest for the top of the SEC.