BREAKING NEWS: March Madness: Dawn Staley Unveils South Carolina’s Secret Weapon – It’s Not a Player

Live from Tampa, Fla. — As South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley leads her team back to the Final Four for the fifth consecutive year, she’s quick to credit her entire staff, not just herself or the players, for the program’s sustained success.

The No. 1-seeded Gamecocks have been a dominant force in women’s college basketball, advancing to the Final Four after defeating Duke. Now, they’re set to face Texas, another No. 1 seed, for a chance at the national championship.

While much of the attention is rightfully on Staley and her players, the head coach made sure to shine a spotlight on Jacob Huden, the program’s director of basketball video services. Staley spoke highly of Huden’s behind-the-scenes contributions, saying, “I don’t know how he does it. He gives us anything that we need. Remotely, physically, I don’t think he gets enough credit for organizing us. He’s up all times of the night. He just really does all the little things. He sacrifices his time for us. He’ll be over here getting videos of all the (other tournament) games while we’re at practice.”

Jacob Huden has been a key part of the program since 2011, playing a vital role in helping Staley and her coaching staff prepare for crucial games, especially in the tournament.

This collaboration goes beyond just South Carolina. Staley has relied on Huden’s expertise during her time coaching the USA national team, where his video work contributed to the team’s success, helping them earn gold medals at the 2018 FIBA World Cup, the 2019, 2021 FIBA AmeriCup, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

As the Gamecocks continue their championship quest, Staley made sure to recognize Huden’s unwavering dedication and support, proving that every piece of the puzzle is crucial to their continued success.

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.