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In a thrilling display on Sunday, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley guided her team to a 64-45 victory over Texas, clinching their third consecutive SEC regular-season title and SEC Tournament championship. This dominant win solidified the Gamecocks’ status as a No. 1 seed for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. As has been the case for much of the past decade, South Carolina’s success was driven by key contributions from their frontcourt.

During her appearance on “Carolina Calls” this Tuesday, Coach Staley took a moment to shower praise on her post players, especially Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin. Both players, along with guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, were named to the SEC All-Tournament Team, with Kitts earning the prestigious title of SEC Tournament MVP.

Staley had nothing but admiration for Kitts, calling her “a dawg when it comes to playing this game.” She continued, saying, “I think it’s cool to see her progress.” Kitts has been playing some of her best basketball as of late, having earned SEC Player of the Week honors two weeks ago before picking up the MVP award on Sunday.

The praise didn’t stop there. Staley also expressed deep pride in senior Sania Feagin, acknowledging her resilience and dedication. “I’m really, really proud of Feagin…it’s easy to leave a place that you don’t feel like you’re ever going to get any playing time or like you’ll ever start,” Staley said. Feagin stuck it out in Columbia, eventually earning a starting role. Her coach now believes that Feagin is “making herself into a really good pro player.”

Looking ahead to next season, Kitts, freshman Joyce Edwards, and the injured Ashlyn Watkins will play significant roles in South Carolina’s future. However, when responding to a caller’s question, Staley acknowledged the need for a true center moving forward. Currently, Kitts, Feagin, Watkins, and Edwards are all under 6’4″, and while the Gamecocks have received strong play from their forwards, they lack a traditional center in the rotation.

Staley didn’t hesitate when addressing the possibility of adding a bigger player to the roster, saying, “[We will] see where the transfer portal leads us.”

While the Gamecocks have seen impressive performances from their current forwards, they’ve often had to play out of position due to the lack of a true center. Staley pointed to past South Carolina teams that had success with power forwards playing alongside dominant bigs, like Alaina Coates, A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Kamilla Cardoso, all of whom stood 6’4″ or taller. Staley reiterated that, whether it’s a returning player like Adhel Tac or Sakima Walker, who could apply for an additional year of eligibility, or a transfer portal acquisition, South Carolina must find a player of that size. “We are Post Player U,” she emphasized.

For now, Kitts, Feagin, and Edwards, along with the lesser-used Tac, Walker, and Maryam Dauda, will continue to dominate the paint as the Gamecocks defend their SEC Tournament title through March and April. Even without a dominant center, South Carolina remains a strong contender for the national championship this season.

The Gamecocks are expected to be named a No. 1 seed when the NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday. Fans can watch the selection show live on ESPN (or the ESPN app) at 8:00 p.m. this Sunday.

In a live update from the SEC Championship, South Carolina’s guard Bree Hall was absolutely locked in after a pre-game remark from Texas’ Madison Booker. Booker, who had reportedly told Hall, “you can’t f***** guard me,”* had unknowingly fueled Hall’s determination.

With the challenge set, Hall was ready to defend Booker, the star sophomore and SEC Player of the Year. It wasn’t until the 1:51 mark of the second quarter that Booker finally hit her first shot. Up until that point, Hall’s relentless defense had kept Booker at bay.

By the end of the game, Booker had only managed 10 points on 4 of 13 shooting, as South Carolina triumphed over Texas, 64-45. Booker also struggled to contribute beyond scoring, failing to record a single assist—marking only the third time this season she had been limited in that area.

South Carolina’s head coach, Dawn Staley, admitted she had no knowledge of the verbal exchange before the game, saying, “I didn’t know that was said to Breezy. I only saw it after the game. That motivated her and gave her the force to win that battle.”

Post-game, Hall was direct about how Booker’s words fueled her performance. In an interview with The Greenville News, Hall stated, “I woke up with the mindset of ‘I have to get her.’ I know after that game (on Feb. 9) Booker had said ‘she can’t f-ing guard me,’ so I said that will be my motivation this game, I have to take that personally.”

It wasn’t the first time Hall had faced off with Booker, and she had always shown an edge in their encounters. Back on January 12, Booker struggled, shooting just 3 of 19 from the field and finishing with only seven points. In their February 9 matchup in Texas, Booker managed 20 points, but her shooting was far from efficient at 7 of 22.

Coach Staley had high praise for Hall’s defensive prowess, especially considering she was overlooked for the SEC All-Defensive Team. “She takes the job nobody wants,” Staley commented. “I tell her, ‘Your defense is going to be something that will carry you in the transition to the next level.’ I hope she hears me. These WNBA franchises have been looking at Bree for four years. They know what she’s best at.”

Overall, Hall’s dominance in this matchup was clear, as she held Booker to just 25.9% shooting in their encounters.

Chloe Kitts Shines in South Carolina’s 84-63 SEC Tournament Quarterfinal Win Over Vanderbilt

In their postseason opener, the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team dominated the Vanderbilt Commodores, securing an impressive 84-63 victory in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.

Chloe Kitts was the standout performer, leading the charge with a career-high 25 points, shooting an outstanding 12-of-14 from the field. She also contributed 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block in just 29 minutes of play. After the game, Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks’ head coach, was quick to highlight Kitts’ exceptional performance.

Kitts, reflecting on her career-high outing, said, “I just wanted to win so bad, so I was just being aggressive.”

Staley praised Kitts for her consistency, telling reporters, “This is really who Chloe is. [She’s] starting to play very consistent basketball. She wants the ball in her hands, she wants to be a playmaker, she wants to be the one that can score or dish it to a teammate. I thought her teammates did a really good job at finding her, I thought she did a really good job of just making a play.”

Staley didn’t hold back in her praise, adding, “We called her number and she delivered for us. I would imagine this is how she envisioned her entire season going, but it didn’t go that way. It was a little bit up and down, inconsistent. But Chloe is strong enough mentally and physically to handle the rigors of this league.”

Staley further emphasized the importance of Kitts’ resilience, stating, “No one’s going to dominate every single night. But if you don’t have the mental fortitude to push through the ups and downs, you won’t see consistent play like this at any point in the season.”

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SEC Tournament Semifinals: South Carolina Defeats Oklahoma 93-75

The 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.

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 Head Coach Dawn Staley Defends No. 1 Seed After SEC Tournament Success

South Carolina’s impressive wins over Texas (twice) and other top-tier programs have solidified their place among the nation’s elite teams. Heading into the tournament, Dawn Staley was “shocked” to see her team placed as a No. 2 seed. “If you get so much credit for beating us, and yet when we’ve had some of the toughest stretches in the country and came out of it unscathed, you can’t discount that,” Staley said. “You can’t discredit that. I’m going to speak up about it because you have to hear the voice of the other side. Because if you don’t think our body of work deserves it, then you need to speak out on it.”

ESPN’s Charlie Creme echoed Staley’s sentiments, moving South Carolina to the No. 1 seed in his latest Bracketology update. “South Carolina’s dominant performance over Texas … allowed the Gamecocks to jump from No. 4 to No. 1,” Creme noted. Texas, which had been the top overall seed, dropped to No. 4 after the loss to the Gamecocks.

Staley remains firm in her stance. “I’m going to go down fighting for what our team earned,” she said. After South Carolina’s strong showing in the SEC Tournament, it’s hard to argue how the committee could justify placing them lower than the top spot.

More news…..

SEC Tournament Semifinals: South Carolina Defeats Oklahoma 93-75

The 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.

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!

Late on Tuesday night, Landon Duckworth, a top target for South Carolina and former commitment, informed On3’s Hayes Fawcett that he has officially scheduled a visit to Columbia. Duckworth, who is planning four official visits, will be on South Carolina’s campus from June 6-8. In addition to the Gamecocks, he will also travel to Georgia (May 30-June 1), Florida State (June 13-15), and Ole Miss (June 20-22).

For just $1, you can gain exclusive access to the latest Gamecocks news for 7 days—don’t miss out on this special offer!

Duckworth initially committed to South Carolina in August 2023, becoming the first player in the class. However, he decommitted last summer but reassured that South Carolina was still in the mix for his recruitment. Given his official visit schedule and the intel shared with GamecockCentral, it’s clear that the Gamecocks are still very much in the hunt.

The Alabama native has made several unofficial visits to Ole Miss recently, and the Rebels have gained some traction in his recruitment. While North Carolina has not yet finalized its official visit plans, they remain in the race as well.

However, South Carolina continues to have the longest-standing relationship with Duckworth. This connection has endured even through his decommitment and the departure of former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains, who left to become the head coach at Appalachian State. Despite those changes, the Gamecocks have continued to prioritize Duckworth, with new OC/QB coach Mike Shula visiting him multiple times.

Ranked as the No. 53 overall prospect in the class of 2026 by On3’s industry ranking, Duckworth is also listed as the 6th best quarterback in the nation and No. 4 in the state of Alabama. As a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, he accumulated over 4,000 yards during his junior season at Jackson High School, where he also helped lead his basketball team to a state championship.

Previous news…..

SEC Tournament Semifinals: South Carolina Defeats Oklahoma 93-75

The 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.

In a live debate on First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe discussed the potential prospects of USC and South Carolina in the upcoming 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Both teams have had impressive seasons, but the question of who is more likely to make a deep run was up for debate.

Sharpe started by expressing his preference for USC, citing the undeniable impact of JuJu Watkins on the court. “I’m going to say USC because they have that one, that JuJu,” Sharpe explained. “Even though her shots weren’t falling yesterday, she still managed to score 29 points. South Carolina doesn’t shoot the ball well enough for me. I know they have strong defense, but I think they’d struggle against someone like JuJu. She can score in multiple ways—she can defend, create her own shot, hit the mid-range, and shoot the three. With JuJu Watkins, I think USC is more likely to go further.”

Sharpe also added that while he doesn’t anticipate a major upset before the Final Four, if he had to choose, he’d pick the Lady Trojans to go the distance.

USC is enjoying one of its best seasons ever, boasting a top-ten offense led by Watkins (24.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.9 blocks) and Kiki Iriafen (18.2 points, 8.3 rebounds). Despite this stellar performance, the Trojans suffered their third loss of the season in the Big Ten Championship game against UCLA, having already faced the Bruins twice earlier in the year.

On the other hand, Smith backed South Carolina, crediting their experience and leadership under Dawn Staley. “I’m going with South Carolina because we’re talking about NCAA Tournament competition and experience,” Smith said. “When you mention Dawn Staley, you’re talking about a team that’s won two of the last three national championships. And yes, some people might call this a down year for them. But come on, they’re 30-3. That’s their down year.”

Despite three losses this season, which equals the combined total of the previous three years, South Carolina remains a powerhouse with a top-five defense and nearly a top-ten offense. Their recent victory in the SEC Tournament, marking their third consecutive win and fifth in the last six years, further solidified their status.

Smith emphasized the significance of experience, saying, “I love me some JuJu, but South Carolina, Dawn Staley, experience—it matters.”

Both teams are expected to be No. 1 seeds in the upcoming tournament, with South Carolina securing the top overall spot and USC ranked third behind UCLA. According to the latest Bracketology from ESPN, both teams are likely headed to the Final Four in Tampa, with their paths to success now dependent on personal preferences, as Smith and Sharpe debated on First Take.

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.