Gamecocks quietly chasing perfect season
CLEVELAND — South Carolina has no losses, and maybe not enough love.
While two sublime star players are soaking up much of the spotlight at this year’s women’s Final Four, the undefeated, unafraid and unabashedly true-to-themselves Gamecocks seem to be getting overlooked.
They were No. 1 in the AP Top 25 the past four months, yet are getting second billing this weekend.
But as her so-far perfect team prepared to play No. 3 seed North Carolina State in Friday’s first national semifinal — an undercard of sorts to the Iowa vs. Uconn/caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers main event — South Carolina coach Dawn Staley wasn’t complaining about any lack of national respect or coverage.
She’s fought those fights.
Staley, the AP Coach of the Year appearing in her fourth straight Final Four, was singularly focused. “I want to win,” she said.
That’s all the Gamecocks (36-0) have done this season, steamrolling through the Southeastern Conference with little trouble and winning games by an average 29.6 points. One was by 82, another by 70.
There’s barely been a scare except for the March 9 conference tourney game against Tennessee, when All-america center Kamilla Cardoso banked in the only 3-pointer of her career at the buzzer for a 74-73 win.
Otherwise, South Carolina, which won the national title in 2022 and has steadily matured into one of college basketball’s best programs over the past decade under Staley, has dominated like few other teams in recent memory.
“This is the best team she’s had,” said N.C. State coach Wes Moore, who joked about interviewing for the South Carolina job at the same time as Staley. “We all know she’s an unbelievable coach, and she’s had great players.
“They’re loaded.”
To the hilt. The Gamecocks are not only blessed with elite talent but extreme depth. South Carolina has gotten 38.8 points per game from its bench in the NCAA Tournament, allowing Staley to keep lineups fresh, stick with the hot hand and navigate foul trouble.
It’s a new feeling for Staley, who has learned to enjoy a team now two wins from history. Only nine teams have ever gone undefeated.
“I’m riding the wave,” Staley said, “and I’m trying not to get in the way.”
Saniya Rivers has spent the past two days catching up with old friends and new enemies — Staley and the Gamecocks.
N.C. State’s starting point guard won a national title as a freshman with South Carolina two years ago before transferring. And while she didn’t want to go into detail about her decision, Rivers remains loyal to Staley.
Rivers cut down the nets in 2022 wearing a South Carolina jersey, and would like to do it again with N.C. State.
“I would love to have two rings on my hand,” she said. “That would be really nice. I might have to bring them both out if that happens — when it happens.”