Category: South Carolina Gamecocks

Te-Hina Paopao Shines in New Under Armour Campaign, Celebrates Samoan Culture

South Carolina star Te-Hina Paopao is proudly showcasing her Samoan heritage in a new Under Armour campaign. The sportswear brand shared the ad featuring Paopao on Instagram this Wednesday, with a message that reads, “This is family business @tehinapaopao is showing young Samoan girls that anything is possible.”

In the ad, the Gamecocks guard reflects on her childhood and the absence of female role models in basketball, sharing how she hopes to change that for the next generation of athletes.

“I want young Samoan girls to look up to me and be like, ‘Hey, she did this, so I can do this,’” Paopao expressed.

The ad also includes clips of Paopao in action, from her games to shooting practice, where she opens up about her basketball journey.

“I got into basketball because my brothers played it,” Paopao shared. “At a young age, it was very competitive, just because my brothers thought they were better than me. Now, I don’t think they can even touch me because… you know what? I’m not even gonna say that.”

Paopao also reflected on introducing her Samoan culture to her Gamecock teammates. It didn’t take long for them to notice the support system she has, with more than 20 family members coming to games to cheer her on.

“We’re very united, very family-oriented,” Paopao said of her Samoan roots.

The ad highlights Paopao’s journey, both on the court and in embracing her heritage, as she continues to be a powerful role model for young Samoan girls who aspire to make their mark in basketball.

In her senior season with South Carolina, Paopao is making her presence felt on the court. After transferring from Oregon, the guard is averaging 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. She’s started in every game this season and plays an average of 25.1 minutes per game. Her shooting accuracy is impressive, hitting 44.4% of her field goals, including 36.6% from beyond the arc.

As South Carolina remains a top contender, Paopao’s performance on the court and her inspiring campaign with Under Armour are leaving a lasting impact—both in basketball and within her culture.

In a move that surprised absolutely no one, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious 2025 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year award. This announcement was made Thursday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, solidifying her spot among the top 10 coaches nominated for the honor.

Alongside Staley, other notable coaches nominated include Geno Auriemma from UConn, Cori Close from UCLA, Kenny Brooks of Kentucky, Lindsay Gottlieb from Southern Cal, Niele Ivey of Notre Dame, Wes Moore of NC State, Mark Campbell from TCU, Shea Ralph of Vanderbilt, and Vic Schaefer of Texas.

What makes this recognition even more special is Staley’s incredible track record—she’s won the Naismith Coach of the Year four times, including the past three seasons, making her the only coach in the history of the award to achieve such a feat.

This season, Staley led the Gamecocks to an impressive 30-3 record, securing both the SEC regular season and SEC Tournament championships for the third consecutive year. At the time of the announcement, South Carolina stands at second overall in the AP poll and remains one of the favorites for the coveted No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

In a release from South Carolina Athletics, the program highlighted that under Staley’s leadership, the Gamecocks have maintained their dominance with an incredible 30-win season for the fourth year in a row, marking the eighth time in her 17 years at Columbia. Staley’s squad boasts the toughest schedule in the nation, according to the NET rankings, with 19 Quad 1 games—the most in the country—and 16 Quad 1 wins, also the highest nationally.

South Carolina has also earned 12 victories over ranked opponents, including an NCAA-best seven wins against top-10 teams. Remarkably, the Gamecocks have dominated those matchups, winning by an average margin of 20 points, with only one contest decided by single digits.

The team’s success comes from a balanced approach, with the Gamecocks ranked 11th in the nation in points per game. Staley’s offense is led by a team-first mentality, with seven players averaging at least 7.0 points per game. Additionally, South Carolina’s bench is the nation’s highest-scoring, contributing an average of 41.5 points per game.

As South Carolina awaits its seeding and opponent for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, the bracket will be revealed on Sunday, March 16 at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

Stay updated on all things Gamecocks by checking GamecocksOnline.com and following the team’s social media at @GamecockWBB.

The full list of Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year semifinalists includes:

• Geno Auriemma (UConn)
• Kenny Brooks (Kentucky)
• Mark Campbell (TCU)
• Cori Close (UCLA)
• Lindsay Gottlieb (Southern Cal)
• Niele Ivey (Notre Dame)
• Wes Moore (NC State)
• Shea Ralph (Vanderbilt)
• Vic Schaefer (Texas)
• Dawn Staley (South Carolina)

It turns out that “The Process” isn’t just a term for the Philadelphia 76ers. Dawn Staley, a proud Philly native, brought that same mindset to South Carolina, and it’s paid off for Sania Feagin.

Feagin’s journey has been anything but smooth. As a freshman on the 2022 national championship team, she barely saw the court, playing just 43 seconds across the two Final Four games without recording a stat. By the time the 2023 Final Four rolled around, Feagin didn’t play at all. Last season, she became a reliable reserve, but still, the stardom that was expected when she first signed with South Carolina hadn’t materialized. Feagin was ranked as the fourth-best player in her class and often cited as the most talented, yet she wasn’t able to showcase that ability immediately.

“It’s kind of really cool to see someone go through their process,” Staley said. “Probably the first three years of her college career didn’t quite look or feel or sound like what she was capable of. I will say that I never let Feagin play less than her standard, less than her potential. That meant she sat a lot. That meant she played here and there, spotted here and there.”

Each spring, Feagin’s name was often mentioned as a possible transfer candidate. But every time, she stayed.

This season wasn’t any easier. Feagin likely wouldn’t have started if Ashlyn Watkins hadn’t been suspended. When Watkins returned and started playing well, Staley texted Feagin, telling her she would be making a change to the lineup. But Feagin wasn’t ready to give up. She asked for one more shot and promised Staley she wouldn’t let her down.

Feagin began to shine. At 6-3, she’s undersized for a post player, lacking the natural rebounding or shot-blocking skills of Watkins. But what she lacked in size, she made up for with effort. Feagin blocked 51 of her 106 career shots this season and became South Carolina’s defensive anchor.

For two seasons, Staley had been vocal about Feagin’s defensive struggles, often saying that her inability to defend had kept her off the court. Even last season, Staley repeatedly encouraged Feagin to improve defensively. But this year, Feagin was named to the SEC All-Defensive team and earned All-Tournament honors for her standout performances against some of the top post players in the SEC, including Khamil Pierre, Raegan Beers, Taylor Jones, and Kyla Oldacre.

“This year it paid off,” Staley said. “When she’s locked in, she’s communicative, she’s skillful, she can stick to a game plan, she can defend. I mean, she’s got great footwork. She’s got a great touch. She is very efficient around the basket. That is her. You’re seeing all of her skill set that we saw during the recruiting process that we didn’t see on a consistent basis her first three years.”

Feagin not only had a solid offensive tournament, averaging 12.7 points, but she also showcased her versatility. She scored in the low post, attacked with dribble drives, and even hit her second three-pointer of the season. But what stood out most was her defense.

“Could anyone have imagined it would happen back in 2022 when she was unplayable because of her defense?” I asked.

“Actually, yes,” Feagin replied. “Because I trusted the process and trusted myself to know that everything is going to fall in place for me, and everything that I deserve, I will get. Me trusting that process, I felt like I was going to be successful.”

On Sunday, Feagin helped cut down the net in Greenville. Her trophy collection now includes three SEC tournament titles, three regional championships, and two national titles. When it comes to championship rings, Feagin has won so many that she’s lost count. At the start of the season, she mentioned that she still had a bare thumb, but now, with the addition of the 2024 national championship rings—designed to also double as pendants—Feagin’s hands are full.

But these latest additions mean even more. She couldn’t stop smiling in the locker room after the game.

“I’m super happy. I’m so excited,” Feagin said. “I’m really helping. I’m really a part of it. I made a contribution.”

Stay updated with all things South Carolina women’s basketball!

The NFL Draft is now just over a month away, and the South Carolina football program is primed for a historic showing in Green Bay. The Gamecocks’ record for the most players selected in a single draft is seven, a feat reached in both 2009 and 2013. However, with 12 players invited to this year’s NFL Combine, there’s a strong possibility that record will be surpassed. Among those players, All-American Nick Emmanwori had the standout performance.

In the latest NFL Draft projections from CBS Sports, Emmanwori has earned unanimous first-round grades. In six different mocks by analysts Ryan Wilson, Chris Trapasso, Mike Renner, Josh Edwards, Kyle Stackpole, and Garrett Podell, the former Gamecock is expected to be taken on the first day of the 2025 draft.

Ryan Wilson has the highest projection for Emmanwori, predicting he’ll be picked 11th overall by the San Francisco 49ers. Next up is Josh Edwards, who has Emmanwori going 13th to the Miami Dolphins, a slot that has become a popular landing spot for the safety. Meanwhile, Kyle Stackpole has Emmanwori at No. 18 to the Seattle Seahawks, another team that’s consistently been linked to him in mock drafts.

Chris Trapasso and Garrett Podell both see Emmanwori going at No. 22 to the Los Angeles Chargers and No. 24 to the Minnesota Vikings, respectively. The lowest projection comes from Mike Renner, who has Emmanwori going 30th to the Buffalo Bills, though Renner’s mock hasn’t been updated since March 4th.

If Emmanwori is selected within the first 32 picks, he’ll become the first South Carolina safety taken that high since 1979, when fellow All-American Rick Sanford was picked 25th overall by the New England Patriots.

Other Gamecocks defensive stars like TJ Sanders, Kyle Kennard, and Demetrius Knight have also received strong NFL Draft grades, with some even pegged as first-round picks, though it’s unlikely any will go that high in April. Sanders, once projected as a first-round pick, now appears to be settling into a late second or early third-round selection.

Running back Rocket Sanders and cornerback O’Donnell Fortune seem like locks to be selected, and several other Gamecocks, including defensive linemen Tonka Hemingway and tight end Josh Simon, also have a strong chance of hearing their names called.

The 2025 NFL Draft will be held from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The first round will take place on Thursday, April 24th, with rounds two and three on Friday, April 25th, and the rest of the draft on Saturday, April 26th. You can catch all the action on NFL Network, ABC, and the ESPN family of networks, with streaming available on NFL.com and the ESPN app.

Stay updated with all things Gamecocks on the go!

In what can only be described as a textbook example of championship defense, South Carolina’s run through the SEC Tournament showcased why the adage “defense wins championships” could have been coined specifically for the Gamecocks. This year’s team may not have the same dominant shot-blocking presence as in years past, but their defensive intensity was nothing short of exceptional.

Traditionally, South Carolina’s defense has been anchored by elite shot-blockers, with the team holding the top three shot-blocking seasons in NCAA history over the last six years. But with the departure of Kamilla Cardoso (to the WNBA) and Ashlyn Watkins (who is out with a torn ACL), the Gamecocks have had to adjust. And adjust they did—flawlessly.

In their three SEC Tournament games, South Carolina faced teams with some of the highest-scoring offenses in the nation—Oklahoma (85.5 points per game), Vanderbilt (83.6), and Texas (80.0). Despite that, the Gamecocks limited those teams to just 61 points per game on 35.8% shooting. They also set new SEC championship records for the fewest points allowed (45), fewest points in a half (16), second-fewest field goals made (16), and fourth-lowest field goal percentage (29.6%).

The Gamecocks’ defensive success, however, is no longer solely dependent on a singular shot-blocker. Instead, Bree Hall and Tessa Johnson have emerged as the defensive backbone for the team. Hall, who stepped into the role of South Carolina’s top perimeter defender last season after Brea Beal’s departure, and Johnson, who is poised to take over next season, were instrumental in this tournament’s success.

Against some of the country’s best scorers, Hall and Johnson more than held their own. They focused on efficiency, making it hard for players to get into scoring positions, rather than just focusing on limiting their point totals. Against Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, who scored 50 or more points this season, they held her to just 20 points on 5-of-15 shooting. In many instances, Blakes didn’t even get another touch after giving up the ball.

“She’s going to score. It’s our job to make it harder for her to score and try as best as we can to limit her production out there,” Johnson shared. After hearing Blakes’ shooting stats, Johnson simply said, “We did our job.”

Oklahoma’s Payton Verhulst was the only player who found consistent success, scoring 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting. But in the championship game against SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker, the Gamecocks made sure Booker was a non-factor. Booker finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, but seven of her points came in the final quarter after the game had already been decided. For the first three quarters, Booker was 1-of-7 shooting with two turnovers and finished just 4-of-13 from the field. She also failed to register a single assist.

South Carolina had Booker’s number throughout the season. In their first matchup, she struggled to just seven points on 3-of-19 shooting. In their February encounter in Austin, Booker scored 20 points, but still shot just 7-of-22. By the end of the SEC Tournament, Booker finished the season shooting a dismal 25.9% against the Gamecocks. Hall reacted to those numbers with a grin, saying, “Love that. 25% is crazy.”

Hall, reflecting on the earlier encounters, noted that while Booker missed open shots in the first game, the Gamecocks were quick to take advantage of those opportunities. And after the second game, when Booker reportedly claimed that Hall couldn’t guard her, Hall took it personally: “It was a lot of extra motivation,” she said. “A lot of people had a lot of things to say after we lost to Texas the last time.”

Coach Dawn Staley knew that Hall was fired up going into the championship game. In the morning shootaround, she could see Hall was locked in. “You have someone like a Breezy Hall, we were going over some of their high-frequency sets at shootaround. It was a set that most teams run. I asked them if they wanted to go through it. They were like, ‘No, give us the hard stuff, give us the hard sets.’ She was locked into the game plan and wanted to know what she needed to do in order for her to help us win another championship.”

It wasn’t just Hall—Johnson’s defensive effort was equally important. The duo frequently rotated to keep fresh legs on Booker, who played 36 minutes. They also took the opportunity to help each other out, sharing insights and making adjustments.

“She came out today and she was telling me about Booker because that was her matchup. I was watching it and she was helping me out, giving me advice,” Johnson said.

For Hall, the focus is always on teamwork, and she was quick to credit Johnson. “I didn’t do it alone. Tessa did a great job, taking some time on her and defending her.”

Despite their similar roles, there’s been no tension between Hall and Johnson. In fact, the two have developed a mentor-mentee relationship, which speaks volumes about the culture within South Carolina’s program. When Hall was asked about mentoring “the new you” in Johnson, she responded with pride. “I definitely help her out,” Hall said. “She is always asking questions on the sidelines. What should she do with this certain screen or that certain screen. I feel like I am knowledgeable enough to know some of the things she is asking.”

Johnson’s evolution as a defender has been remarkable. At the start of her freshman season, defense was a weakness. But this year, she’s been a reliable defender, expecting to shut down opponents rather than simply hoping to contain them.

“My defense has evolved more mentally than anything,” Johnson said. “I go into a game and I’m not like, oh this player might get by me, this player might score on me. I want to guard the best player or hot hand, whatever it is. I want that challenge. That changed my mindset and helped me become a better defender.”

Looking ahead, South Carolina is poised to be a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. The full bracket will be revealed on Selection Sunday, March 16, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Gamecocks are primed for another deep run, led by their elite defense and championship mentality.

Texas Coach Vic Schaefer Critiques SEC Tournament Location After Loss to South Carolina

In a dominant 64-45 victory on Sunday, South Carolina’s Gamecocks defeated the Texas Longhorns in the SEC Tournament championship game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. While the venue is officially neutral, Texas head coach Vic Schaefer had a different take, calling it South Carolina’s “home floor,” and suggesting that the Gamecocks had a clear advantage.

The game broke attendance records, drawing 13,532 fans, the majority of whom were cheering for South Carolina. Schaefer acknowledged the challenge of playing a top-tier team in such an environment, likening it to facing Texas in San Antonio.

Greenville, located just two hours from South Carolina’s home court in Columbia, has hosted the SEC Women’s Tournament for the past four years, and six of the last seven. In October, the SEC extended its agreement to keep the tournament in Greenville for another three years, with the possibility of moving the tournament to another city no earlier than 2029.

When the SEC Tournament was last held outside of Greenville, it was in Nashville in 2022, where Kentucky upset South Carolina in the final. Other cities like Memphis, North Little Rock, Duluth, and Jacksonville have also hosted the event in the past.

Schaefer, who is now 0-5 in SEC Tournament championship games against South Carolina, including during his time at Mississippi State, referred to Sunday’s loss as a “road game” for Texas. He also voiced his desire for more variety in tournament locations, acknowledging that while Greenville is an excellent host, the proximity to South Carolina’s campus gives the Gamecocks an undeniable edge.

Postgame, Schaefer commented on the crowd’s impact, saying, “When you’re playing South Carolina at home in front of their own fans, it’s a road game.” He pointed out how the crowd played a significant role in the Gamecocks’ strong second-quarter run.

However, one has to ask: would this issue even be raised if South Carolina hadn’t made the championship game in ten consecutive years? More importantly, would Schaefer even care about the location if he hadn’t lost five SEC Tournament finals to Dawn Staley and her Gamecocks? The “home-court” advantage argument might hold some weight, but in reality, it’s a minor factor.

South Carolina is now 5-0 in SEC Tournament championship games against Schaefer’s teams, with victories in Jacksonville in 2016 and Nashville in 2018. As Mike Uva put it on Twitter, “The common denominator isn’t where the tournament is being held…”

South Carolina Faces Must-Win Game in SEC Tournament Opener

It’s crunch time for South Carolina. The Gamecocks (12-19, 2-16 SEC) will face off against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first round of the SEC Tournament at 1 p.m. today, live on SEC Network. With a loss, South Carolina’s season will come to an abrupt end.

Here’s a look at the key points to watch as the Gamecocks prepare for their high-stakes matchup in Nashville.

How Will the Previous Meeting Impact This Game? Just 10 days ago, South Carolina stunned Arkansas with a dominant 72-53 victory in their only regular-season meeting. The Gamecocks, who were fresh off just one SEC win at the time, smothered the Razorbacks defensively. Arkansas struggled to find any rhythm, shooting below 30% from the field, including a dismal 12.5% in the first half, where they made only three shots.

Collin Murray-Boyles starred in that game, pouring in a career-high 35 points, while Nick Pringle contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, just shy of a double-double. Jordan Butler also stepped up off the bench, scoring nine points, including two three-pointers.

Given how recent that win was, it certainly feels like a favorable matchup for South Carolina. However, don’t expect Arkansas to come in unprepared. The Razorbacks will likely make adjustments, learning from their previous shortcomings. But, as always, South Carolina will be ready for whatever tweaks Arkansas may implement.

Is This Murray-Boyles’ Final Game? There’s a real possibility that Wednesday could mark the final game for Collin Murray-Boyles in a Gamecocks uniform. Whether or not South Carolina advances depends on today’s outcome, but the sophomore forward has been a standout this season, and many are speculating he could declare for the NBA Draft this summer.

Murray-Boyles hasn’t made a decision yet, but he’s focused solely on the game ahead, as he told reporters on Tuesday. Given his stellar performances recently—averaging 23 points over the past five games—it wouldn’t be a surprise if he takes the leap to the professional ranks. If this is indeed his last game, he leaves behind an impressive two-season run at South Carolina.

Arkansas Still Missing Key Players The Razorbacks will be without two of their top scorers once again, Adou Thiero and Boogie Fland. Both have been sidelined due to injuries for quite some time now, with Thiero last playing on February 22 and Fland not seeing action since January 18. Neither player was available when Arkansas was routed by the Gamecocks earlier this month, and their absence gave South Carolina a major advantage, particularly in the paint for players like Murray-Boyles and Pringle.

Game Details:

• Who: South Carolina (12-19, 2-16 SEC) vs. Arkansas (19-12, 8-10 SEC)
• When: Wednesday, March 12 at 1 p.m.
• Where: Bridgestone Arena (20,000)
• How to Watch/Listen: SEC Network/107.5 The Game

ESPN gives South Carolina a 32% chance to win

Stay tuned as the Gamecocks look to extend their season in a high-stakes showdown!

In a major development for women’s college basketball, the University of South Carolina and University of Southern California have announced a two-season, bicoastal series titled “The Real SC.” The highly anticipated matchups will take place over the next two seasons, with the first game scheduled for November 15, 2025, at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles, followed by the second contest on November 15, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Both teams are strong contenders for the national championship this year. South Carolina recently clinched the Southeastern Conference tournament title in Greenville and is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation. Meanwhile, Southern Cal fell short in the Big Ten Conference tournament championship game in Indianapolis, yet remains highly ranked at No. 4.

South Carolina’s head coach, Dawn Staley, emphasized the importance of scheduling games that elevate women’s basketball, stating, “I will always choose elevating women’s basketball and that’s especially true in scheduling. I know Complete Sports Management has the same mission, and I like their creativity in bringing not just two great programs together but engaging their fan bases on both coasts in a debate they love to have.”

Under Staley, South Carolina has won three national championships and appeared in four consecutive Final Fours. The Gamecocks have also secured nine SEC regular-season and nine SEC Tournament titles over the past 11 seasons. On the other hand, Southern Cal boasts two NCAA titles, three Final Four appearances, five regular-season conference titles, and two conference tournament titles, dating back to its dominant years in the 1980s.

USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed excitement for the upcoming series: “We are excited to participate in this high-quality, highly-anticipated event. We have so much respect for South Carolina and Coach Staley’s program and in growing our own program have looked to meet the moment by taking on the best possible challenges. To be able to battle for ‘The Real SC’ right here at Crypto Arena in LA is truly a special opportunity.”

The rivalry over the “SC” branding has a rich history. In 2008, Southern California won the trademark for the interlocking ‘SC’ logo after a six-year battle with South Carolina. This series adds another layer to the longstanding competition between the two schools.

“We are so excited to bring the major non-conference matchup between the two SCs to the forefront and showcase women’s college basketball to the world,” said Lea Miller-Tooley, President of Complete Sports Management. “Complete Sports Management is proud to put on display the competitive excellence and prestige of these programs on the West Coast in a city filled with love for the game and on the East Coast where the love for women’s basketball has grown to new heights in recent years.”

The USC Trojans’ hopes of adding a Big Ten Tournament Championship to their already impressive regular season title were dashed today, as they fell to the UCLA Bruins 72-67 in the championship game.

Despite a strong first half where USC led 45-35, things quickly unraveled after the break. The Trojans appeared on track for a third consecutive win over UCLA, a team they had already beaten twice during the regular season. However, the Bruins mounted an impressive comeback, led by center Lauren Betts, who dominated inside. Meanwhile, USC’s offense went ice cold, failing to score a single field goal during a critical 10-minute stretch between the third and fourth quarters.

The biggest disappointment came from USC’s star, JuJu Watkins, who struggled with her shooting throughout the game. She finished 9 for 28 from the field, adding to the frustration with five turnovers and just two assists. The game was further marred by turnovers from both teams—UCLA committed 24, while USC had 19—making it a sloppy and chaotic contest.

Looking ahead, the Trojans now turn their attention to the upcoming NCAA Tournament. As for their title hopes, USC is currently tied with UCLA and Texas for the third-best odds to win the National Championship at +550, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The favorites remain UConn and South Carolina, both sitting at +290. Right below the Trojans are the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at +750.

USC, with a stellar 28-3 record, remains in a strong position to earn one of the coveted No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. This includes two regular-season victories over UCLA, who have just two losses all year, both to USC. According to ESPN’s bracket projection, South Carolina, Texas, UCLA, and USC are expected to secure those top four spots.

However, there’s still room for surprises. UConn, despite being tied for the best title odds, is currently projected to be a No. 2 seed, despite their strong 31-3 record and a Big East championship. The big question now is whether this will finally be the year for a fresh contender to make a push for the title, challenging the dominance of teams like UConn, South Carolina, and Notre Dame, who have all been mainstays in national title games over the last decade.

That’s all from the Big Ten Tournament for now. Stay tuned as the Trojans prepare for March Madness and the upcoming NCAA Tournament. We’ll be bringing you all the latest updates as the tournament unfolds.

As March Madness draws near, the competition for the top No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament is heating up, with UCLA, South Carolina, Texas, and Southern California all making compelling cases for the coveted spot. Given their impressive performances throughout the season, it would be surprising if these teams don’t land at the top of the bracket when it’s revealed on Sunday night.

However, the debate still remains over where exactly these teams will be placed and which one will earn the overall No. 1 seed. For the first time in years, there is no consensus on a dominant team leading the pack.

This year’s NCAA Tournament marks only the second time in the past 19 years that no team will enter with fewer than two losses, with the previous instance occurring in 2022.

One of the key reasons for the shake-up is the increased willingness among top teams to face challenging non-conference opponents. UConn and Notre Dame, along with the potential No. 1 seeds, all squared off in tough matchups against each other, either within their respective conferences or in non-conference games.

“We finally have more good teams wanting to play really good teams in their non-conference schedule early in the year,” UConn head coach Geno Auriemma commented. “Because what happens then is you not only get a … Well, I think this team should be ranked No. 1, I think that team should be ranked No. 2. Based on what? I don’t know. They just look like they’re a No. 2 or they’re a No. 3. So now you can actually put them head to head and say this is what it looks like.”

While Auriemma’s team faced losses to both Southern California and Notre Dame, they managed an impressive road victory over South Carolina last month.

“I think more and more schools are starting to do that, which obviously makes the game better, makes the TV people happy because they’re putting on a good product on television,” Auriemma continued. “The kids like it.”

Let’s take a closer look at the resumes of the leading teams vying for the top spots:

South Carolina: Led by coach Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks have posted a 2-3 record against the other top teams, including two victories over Texas. Their only other losses came to UCLA and UConn. Having dominated the SEC regular season and conference tournaments, Staley argues their schedule strength should make them deserving of the No. 1 spot.

UCLA: The Bruins have only two losses this season, both to USC, and emerged unscathed from a grueling Big Ten slate. They boast a solid victory over South Carolina in November, which helped them hold the No. 1 ranking for 12 weeks.

Texas: With just three losses—two to South Carolina and one to Notre Dame—Texas still managed to get a win over the Gamecocks. They are tied with UCLA for the second-most Quad 1 victories (14), trailing only South Carolina’s 16.

Southern California: The Trojans have delivered major victories with two wins over UCLA and a notable win at UConn, which strengthens their case for the No. 1 seed. However, their loss to Iowa could be a factor preventing them from claiming the overall No. 1 spot.

As the final bracket approaches, it’s clear the race for the top is neck and neck, and no team is safe from scrutiny as we inch closer to Selection Sunday.