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Elite Eight from Regional 1 – Sunday, March 30 at Noon

Maxwell: South Carolina 76, Duke 60 – It’s nearly impossible to bet against Dawn Staley and her powerhouse squad, especially when March rolls around. Expect them to continue their dominance into the Elite Eight.

Anna: South Carolina 82, Duke 70 – Dawn Staley and her Gamecocks have been absolutely unstoppable, and I don’t see that momentum slowing down anytime soon.

Sara: South Carolina 94, UNC 72 – By now, it’s clear that nothing stands in the way of Dawn Staley and her South Carolina team. If UNC manages to get past Duke in their third rivalry meeting this season, they’ll face a monumental challenge ahead.

Elite Eight from Regional 2 – Monday, March 31 at 6 p.m.

Maxwell: TCU 76, Texas 72 – These two schools share a friendly rivalry, especially given their Big 12 history. While Texas leads the series 53-4, Hailey Van Lith will carry the Horned Frogs to a historic win and a spot in the Final Four.

Anna: Texas 75, TCU 68 – This is a familiar in-state rivalry, but the teams haven’t faced off this season. Texas holds a significant advantage over TCU, and I don’t expect that to change with a Final Four berth on the line.

Sara: Texas 70, TCU 68 – As much as Hailey Van Lith and Prince drive TCU’s offense, Madison Booker is the equivalent of both of them in one player. I don’t think this is the year TCU will manage another win over their in-state rivals, but I wouldn’t mind being proven wrong.

In a highly anticipated Sweet Sixteen matchup, the South Carolina Gamecocks are poised as the heavy favorite to take on Maryland in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament this Friday. South Carolina heads into the game as the clear favorite, with Maryland coming off a thrilling overtime victory against Alabama that kept their hopes alive.

Both teams have shown their resilience throughout the season, picking up significant wins along the way, and both will be battle-tested as they face off in this crucial contest. But what do the experts think about this matchup?

ESPN recently revealed its predictions for the game, and the Gamecocks were a unanimous choice across the board. Here’s how the experts see it:

• Andrea Adelson: South Carolina 70, Maryland 55
• Kendra Andrews: South Carolina 73, Maryland 59
• Katie Barnes: South Carolina 75, Maryland 59
• Charlie Creme: South Carolina 68, Maryland 47
• Kevin Pelton: South Carolina 84, Maryland 68
• Alexa Philippou: South Carolina 81, Maryland 67
• Michael Voepel: South Carolina 85, Maryland 70

One of the key reasons behind this overwhelming support for South Carolina comes from ESPN’s Charlie Creme, who highlighted the Gamecocks’ depth as a major advantage in their tournament run. “Depth. Having the ability to play as many as 10 players, use multiple combinations, and rely on the most productive bench in the country gives Dawn Staley a game-planning advantage,” Creme explained. “She can pivot off what isn’t working until she finds what does. From fifth-year senior Te-Hina Paopao to freshman Joyce Edwards, seven different players led the Gamecocks in scoring in a game this season. At some point this tournament, the Gamecocks will need that one individual to step up for a big moment. That time isn’t now.”

As the Gamecocks prepare for this highly anticipated showdown, they’ll rely on their depth and versatility to push them through to the Elite Eight.

Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling tournament journey and follow our coverage with the latest insights from Fisher Brewer, Alex Joyce, Matthew Peavy, Isaiah Collins, Joseph Griffin, Luke Brumm, and more. Don’t forget to follow us on social media and check out our YouTube channel for in-depth video content!

The No. 10/11 South Carolina Gamecocks softball team (25-6) made a statement tonight, shutting out their in-state rival Clemson (24-10) 6-0 at Carolina Softball Stadium in the first game of the Palmetto Series Presented by the South Carolina Education Lottery. This marks the first time in the history of the rivalry that the Gamecocks have blanked the Tigers.

Making her return from injury, Arianna Rodi wasted no time in making an impact. She blasted a three-run home run to dead center in the bottom of the first, marking her 11th of the season. That blast ties her for sixth place in the program’s single-season home run list and gave the Gamecocks an early 3-0 lead.

South Carolina added another run in the second inning with Karley Shelton driving in an RBI double to left center. Then in the fourth, both Shelton and Rodi went back-to-back to extend the lead. Shelton hit a single to right center, and Rodi followed with a sacrifice fly, bringing her team-leading fourth RBI of the game.

In the circle, Nealy Lamb (6-1) set the tone right from the start, striking out two batters in the opening inning. She finished with five shutout innings, recording four strikeouts, allowing just two hits, and issuing no walks. Sam Gress came on in relief, throwing two innings to seal the combined shutout for the Gamecocks.

At the plate, Quincee Lilio went 3-for-4, helping set the stage for Rodi’s early home run and leading the team with two runs scored.

South Carolina now hits the road for a tough series at No. 3 LSU, starting on Friday, March 28, at 6 p.m.

For more updates on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team on social media: Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.

Good evening, everyone! The South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team is back in the Sweet 16 after a dominant win over Indiana in the Round of 32. They’re now gearing up to face a familiar opponent, Maryland, this Friday, March 28 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

The Terrapins earned their spot in the Sweet 16 in dramatic fashion, securing a thrilling 111-108 double-overtime victory over Alabama on Monday, rallying from a 64-55 deficit heading into the fourth quarter.

This will be the second meeting between South Carolina and Maryland in recent years. Two years ago, the Gamecocks dismantled the Terrapins in a 114-76 win. Seven Gamecocks finished in double figures in that contest, with Te-Hina Paopao leading the charge with 14 points.

As the Gamecocks prepare for their Sweet 16 clash, they are focused on continuing their defensive strength and offensive depth, key components that have propelled them through this tournament so far. With a strong desire for another deep tournament run, South Carolina knows the importance of sticking to their game plan and executing under pressure.

The game will tip off at 5:00 PM ET on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

For those looking to watch the game:

• TV: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN.com or the ESPN app, or sign up for a free FuboTV subscription [here].
• Radio: 107.5 The Game or gamecocksonline.com.

A major milestone for South Carolina softball was reached last night, as they claimed a decisive 6-0 victory over Clemson in the first game of the two-game Palmetto Series.

Nealy Lamb was the standout on the mound, delivering five shutout innings, while Arianna Rodi set the tone early with a big offensive showing. This win marks the Gamecocks’ second victory in the last three matchups against Clemson, a significant shift after a five-game losing streak to the Tigers before last season.

South Carolina head coach Ashley Chastain Woodard couldn’t hide her excitement following the victory: “To have a win like that against Clemson, you feel like it’s for the fans, for the community, and everyone that’s supported us ever since day one,” she said. “It’s really special, and the way we won the game makes it a little sweeter.”

For Chastain Woodard, this win held personal significance. While she played at South Carolina, the Tigers didn’t have a softball team back then. Securing her first win against Clemson as the Gamecocks’ head coach was an unforgettable moment. “I think this is the best rivalry in college sports,” she remarked. “It’s really special for me to feel that in the dugout and as a coach. It’s just something in the air for that game. It’s special and I will never forget it.”

Lamb, a native of Cades, South Carolina, and former Charleston Southern player, recognized the importance of the game. Growing up a Gamecock fan, she only learned earlier that day she’d be starting. “I didn’t know I was going to start but I really wanted to start,” Lamb said. “Clemson is a big rivalry for us, and just being able to go out there and do my job and help my team win is huge for me.”

Coach Chastain Woodard praised Lamb’s performance, noting her contribution was key to the win. “Nealy (Lamb) got us there with six outs left,” Chastain Woodard said. “She gave us her heart. She was 8 years old and learning a rise ball, dreaming of pitching in this game.”

South Carolina, with an impressive 25-6 record, has been a surprising force this season. After starting the year unranked, they’ve climbed to No. 11 in both the ESPN and D1 Softball polls. Their early-season success includes a school-record 20-game winning streak and series victories over three Top 15 teams—Duke, Georgia, and Texas Tech. Despite tough losses to No. 2 Oklahoma in early March, the Gamecocks have rebounded strong, winning five of their last seven games.

The Southeastern Conference remains tough, with the latest polls showing the top five teams and 12 ranked squads. Chastain Woodard emphasized the challenges ahead: “It doesn’t get easier, week by week,” she said. “We’re far from the Oklahoma game at this point.”

Now, turning to the game itself—this one was practically over before most fans even settled into their seats. Lamb was dominant in the top of the first, retiring Clemson in order. South Carolina then jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in their half. Quincee Lilio led off with a hard-hit ball that couldn’t be fielded, followed by Karley Shelton drawing a walk. Then Arianna Rodi stepped up and launched her team-best 11th home run over the left-center TV deck to give the Gamecocks an early commanding lead.

“I took in all the moments from early in the year and just realized hitting was just like riding a bike. I felt comfortable,” Rodi shared after the game. “We put a stamp on it in the first inning; it’s always a good thing. It showed them we wanted to control the tempo and how it’s going to go.”

Rodi, who extended her streak of reaching base to 23 consecutive games, wasn’t done. She added a sacrifice fly for another run, while Shelton contributed two RBIs in a well-rounded offensive effort that produced eight hits for South Carolina.

The Gamecocks and Tigers will face off again on April 15th in Clemson, but before that, South Carolina will head to Baton Rouge for a tough series against No. 3 LSU. The upcoming schedule is as follows:

• Friday: at No. 3 LSU, 6 p.m.
• Saturday: at No. 3 LSU, 7 p.m.
• Sunday: at No. 3 LSU, 2 p.m.

In her remarkable career at South Carolina, Bree Hall has solidified herself as one of the program’s winningest players. With two national championships, three SEC Tournament titles, and a stellar 142-6 record in regular season and postseason games, Hall’s success on the court is undeniable. However, much of her recognition has come off the court.

Her accolades include:

• CSC Academic All-District (2023)
• SEC Academic Honor Roll (2022, 2023, 2024)
• SEC Basketball Leadership Council Vice Chair (2023-24)
• SEC Community Service Team (2024)

Dawn Staley, the head coach of South Carolina, has been unwavering in her praise for Hall, particularly her defensive contributions to the team. Over the years, Staley has coached several standout defenders, such as Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso, who both received national defensive awards. A’ja Wilson and Tiffany Mitchell also made appearances on SEC All-Defensive Teams, along with recent stars like Brea Beal, Raven Johnson, and Sania Feagin.

Yet, Staley holds Hall in the highest regard. “Bree’s an elite defender. It’s elite – the things that she does, the people that she has to guard,” Staley said. “In my 25 years of coaching, she’s on my all-time defensive team – all the players that I’ve coached – because she’s very consistent with it, and she relishes the challenge.”

One of Hall’s key defensive strengths is her discipline. In 35 games this season, she’s committed just 41 personal fouls—averaging under 1.2 fouls per game—all while defending the opposing team’s best players. Her excellence has earned her a spot in South Carolina’s ‘Seat Belt Gang,’ alongside Raven Johnson, a group known for locking down the opposition’s top offensive threats.

“We got the biggest defensive assignment. So, let’s lock the other best players up,” Johnson said after a 66-56 victory over LSU on January 24. “We the co-hosts of Seatbelt Gang. Let’s do this.”

Hall’s defensive prowess was on full display in a game against Indiana, where she was tasked with guarding Yarden Garzon, who had a three-inch height advantage. Hall limited Garzon to just two points on 1-of-5 shooting in the first half. Garzon finished with only four field goals on 13 attempts, and although she scored five points in the second half, four of them came in the third quarter.

Staley praised Hall’s ability to adjust mid-game. “Breezy had to make an adjustment today because she was guarding Garzon like Madison Booker. There’s a little bit of a difference in what both of them can do. We probably needed Breezy to loosen up a little bit,” Staley explained. “She told me. She actually finished my sentence. And then, in the second half, she really adjusted.”

While Hall is not in the running for any national defensive awards this season, Staley believes her contributions have not gone unnoticed. “People are watching. It’s just not the people who will give credit like other people,” Staley said. “Fans and people who really understand what’s happening out there on the floor give her her flowers, and I’m happy that they do.”

Bree Hall may not be getting the national recognition she deserves, but Dawn Staley and those who truly understand the game recognize her as one of the best defenders in college basketball.

In a recent announcement from Grand Canyon University, assistant coach Winston Gandy has been appointed as the new head coach for the Arizona-based program. Gandy will be stepping into the role after Molly Miller departed for Arizona State.

Currently in his second season as part of Dawn Staley’s staff at South Carolina, Gandy will continue his duties with the undefeated Gamecocks (32-3) until the end of the season. South Carolina, which is a No. 1 seed, will play the winner of the second-round NCAA Tournament matchup between No. 4 Maryland and No. 5 Alabama this Friday in the Sweet 16, held in Birmingham, Alabama.

Before joining South Carolina, Gandy spent three years at Duke as the associate head coach. This new position at Grand Canyon will mark his first head coaching opportunity. His previous experience also includes serving as Rice’s associate head coach, Maryland’s director of recruiting, and three seasons in the NBA with the Washington Wizards focusing on player development.

Since becoming a part of Staley’s staff, Gandy has contributed to one national championship win and is currently aiming for another with South Carolina. Staley, in her statement, emphasized Gandy’s significant role in devising the defensive strategy against Iowa’s star player Caitlin Clark during the 2024 national championship game.

“I’m thrilled for Winston Gandy on being named the head coach at Grand Canyon University,” Staley remarked. “Over the past two seasons with our program at South Carolina, I’ve seen firsthand his incredible work ethic, recruiting talent, and passion for the game. Winston is one of the hardest workers and best recruiters in our sport, and he’s a true student of the game. More importantly, he genuinely cares about our players and builds real relationships on and off the court. He’ll always be part of our Gamecock family, and I know he’s ready for this opportunity. I have no doubt he’ll do a fantastic job at GCU, and I can’t wait to watch him thrive as a head coach.”

This marks an exciting new chapter for Winston Gandy as he takes the reins at Grand Canyon University, following a solid tenure under Dawn Staley’s guidance at South Carolina. The entire basketball community is eager to see how Gandy will continue to develop as a coach in this next chapter of his career.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Dawn Staley, head coach of South Carolina women’s basketball, has been named a finalist for the Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year award for the eighth time in her career. The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today that Staley is one of the four finalists for this prestigious honor, marking her as the only coach in the history of the award—men’s or women’s basketball—to win it four times. Notably, Staley has claimed the award for the past three seasons.

Under Staley’s leadership, the Gamecocks secured both the SEC Regular-Season and Tournament titles, sweeping both for the third consecutive season and for the seventh time in the past 11 years. After crafting the toughest schedule in the nation, as per the NET rankings, she guided South Carolina to its fourth straight 30-win season and the eighth such campaign in her 17 seasons in Columbia.

With 19 Quad 1 games—the most in the country—South Carolina has proven their strength, including six non-conference regular-season matchups. The Gamecocks also lead the nation with 16 Quad 1 wins.

In addition, South Carolina has secured 12 victories over ranked opponents, including an NCAA-best seven wins over top-10 teams. Remarkably, the Gamecocks have won these games by an average of 20 points, with only one game decided by fewer than 10 points.

Staley’s success has been driven by a collective team effort. The Gamecocks rank 11th nationally in points per game, with their leading scorer averaging just 13.2 points per game. In total, seven players average at least 7.0 points per game, and the team’s bench leads the nation in scoring at 41.5 points per game.

No. 2/2 South Carolina has earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Birmingham 2 Regional and made its 11th consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 appearance after a pair of wins last weekend at Colonial Life Arena. They will return to the court on Friday, March 28, against the winner of tonight’s game between No. 4 seed Maryland and No. 5 seed Alabama.

For more updates, be sure to visit GamecocksOnline.com and follow the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB).

Naismith Coach of the Year Finalists:

• Mark Campbell, TCU
• Cori Close, UCLA
• Lindsay Gottlieb, Southern Cal
• Dawn Staley, South Carolina

In a live update from Colonial Life Arena during the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament, the question was raised: how many bracelets does South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley wear on her right wrist?

The answers from her players were all over the place. Te-Hina Paopao guessed “10 to 12.” MiLaysia Fulwiley thought “six or seven.” Bree Hall went with “thirty-six,” and Sakima Walker estimated “like 15.” Even Maryam Dauda chimed in with “fifteen.”

The actual answer? Staley raised her arm to reveal a rainbow of bracelets covering her entire wrist and revealed, “I think I’m up to 28.” Though her players were way off (save for Hall), the fact that it didn’t look like 28 was no surprise. After all, the number seems far too large for even the most avid jewelry lover.

However, it’s not about the fashion; it’s about the significance. Staley explained that each of the bracelets was gifted to her, and many are from children, some dealing with medical conditions. “They give me perspective,” she said. “Not everyone has it so good.”

There’s a deeper meaning behind each bracelet. Staley proudly wears them because they were given to her with love—whether from a child who made a bracelet in her honor or from fans showing support for causes that resonate with her. As she put it, “When young people give me the bracelets, I just immediately put them on… I’ll wear them until they break.”

Along with the bracelets, Staley also wears four necklaces, each serving as a powerful reminder of someone or something. One was given to her by Plies, the rapper who has become a strong supporter of Staley’s program. It’s a replica of the NCAA Tournament trophy, encrusted with diamonds.

Another necklace was made by a young girl named Blakely, who was undergoing cancer treatment at UVA Children’s Hospital when she met Staley. The two bonded over color schemes, and Blakely later surprised Staley by making her a necklace. Staley wears it daily.

The fourth necklace has an equally moving story. It was made by a young man battling sickle cell disease, whom Staley met at a local children’s hospital. Staley shared that her cousin had passed away from the same disease, making the necklace all the more meaningful. “It gives me perspective on what we’re doing, where we are,” she said. “And really for us, although we think it’s our world, our passion, what we do, it really is just basketball. When you put it in perspective of what other people have to go through.”

As South Carolina prepares for their Sweet 16 game against Maryland, Staley’s mindset is about more than just basketball. It’s about the perspective she gains from the gifts and stories shared with her.

South Carolina’s Sweet 16 game:

• Who: South Carolina vs. Maryland
• When: 5 p.m. Friday
• TV: ESPN
• Stream: ESPN app

This story was first published on March 25, 2025, at 8:30 AM.

After securing a victory over Indiana in the Round of 32, South Carolina had to wait 24 hours to learn who their next opponent would be in the Sweet 16. That opponent has now been confirmed: Maryland, following an exhilarating 111-108 double-overtime win over Alabama on Monday.

Maryland entered the fourth quarter down 64-55 and faced a tough challenge to stay alive in the NCAA Tournament. However, the Terrapins surged, outscoring Alabama 56-44 through the final quarter and overtime to clinch their spot in the Sweet 16.

Maryland is known for leaning on its dynamic guard trio for offensive production. Kaylene Smikle, Shyanne Sellers, and Sarah Te-Biasu have all averaged over 10 points per game this season, making them key targets for South Carolina’s defense on March 28.

The two teams last met in a regular-season matchup in November 2023, where South Carolina dominated Maryland in a 114-76 blowout. Seven Gamecocks finished in double digits during that game, with Te-Hina Paopao leading the charge with 14 points.

The Sweet 16 matchup between South Carolina and Maryland is set to tip off at 5:00 pm (ET) on ESPN.

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