South Carolina Women’s Basketball: The Gamecocks Won the 2022 Title with a Strong Defense—Can They Repeat?

 South Carolina’s Defense: Comparing 2022 Championship Squad to the 2025 Gamecocks

Good evening, folks. The South Carolina Gamecocks have just wrapped up their SEC Tournament victory, with three dominant defensive performances that have set the tone as they head into the NCAA Tournament. Now, the burning question: How does this year’s defense measure up against the 2022 national champions?

To put things in perspective, let’s flashback to the 2021-22 season. The Gamecocks were occasionally challenged offensively, particularly in games like the SEC title loss to Kentucky and during the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament against Miami and North Carolina. However, they made up for it with one of the most suffocating defenses ever seen in women’s basketball.

The heart of that defense was Aliyah Boston, perhaps the best pick-and-roll defender ever, alongside Kamilla Cardoso, the towering 6-7 shot-blocker. Destanni Henderson was a disruptive force at the point guard position, while Brea Beal was the defensive specialist, tasked with shutting down opposing stars.

But the 2021-22 squad wasn’t just about the stars. The team boasted incredible depth, with freshmen Bree Hall and Saniya Rivers providing versatile defensive looks, and seasoned veterans LeLe Grissett and Victaria Saxton rounding out a formidable defensive unit.

In the 2022 NCAA Tournament, South Carolina allowed just 45.5 points per game, with teams shooting only .348 from the field. Their tournament run began with a historical defensive showing, holding Howard to just 21 points in the first round—a new tournament record. They continued to stifle opponents, holding Miami to just 33 points (the eighth-lowest score in tournament history) and then capped it off by holding UConn to 49 points, the sixth-fewest ever in a championship game.

Now, comparing that to the 2025 squad, it’s clear that the bar has been raised. While it’s tough to replicate the sheer defensive dominance of 2022, the 2025 Gamecocks have set their own defensive benchmarks. This year, they set an SEC Tournament record for the fewest points allowed in a championship game and followed that up by holding Iowa State to just 36 points. Moreover, they’ve managed to shut down five straight ranked opponents, holding them 30 points below their usual scoring averages.

When comparing the numbers, two key points stand out. Firstly, the 2025 Gamecocks are significantly better offensively. They score enough to create a cushion for defensive lapses, yet still manage to shut down opposing offenses. In contrast, the 2022 team relied heavily on defense, almost out of necessity.

Secondly, the defensive style has evolved. In 2022, the goal was to keep everything in front, switch screens, and funnel the ball into the paint, where Boston and Cardoso would clean up. Fast forward to 2025, and we see a more aggressive defensive approach. There’s more ball pressure, denial, and an emphasis on keeping the ball on the perimeter, allowing the Gamecocks to jump passing lanes and force turnovers. Players like Raven Johnson, Chloe Kitts, Bree Hall, Tessa Johnson, and the lightning-fast MiLaysia Fulwiley can close gaps in a flash, making it hard for opponents to get comfortable.

The result? Opponents are stifled on both ends of the court, and if the 2025 Gamecocks maintain this defensive prowess, it could very well lead to another championship run. The stage is set, and all eyes are on the Gamecocks as they look to make their mark on the NCAA Tournament once again.

Stay tuned as we continue to follow the Gamecocks’ journey to the big stage!