Gamecocks home for first round

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina is a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive year — and this time the Gamecocks get to host a couple of games.

The SEC champion Gamecocks (30-2) are atop the Greensboro Region and open Friday against No. 16 seed Savannah State (21-10), the Mid-Eastern American Conference winners who fell here 111-49 on Dec. 14.

Led by Coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina is making its fourth consecutive NCAA appearance and hosting a home game for the first time since 2002. That was the final year schools in the state could hold women’s basketball regionals because of the NCAA’s ban of South Carolina for flying the Confederate flag on Statehouse grounds. NCAA rules shifted to awarding sites on merit, putting the Gamecocks at home.

The mood Monday night was less raucous than last season when the Gamecocks felt they had squandered a chance at a top seed. The team danced and celebrated last year when its name showed on TV. This time, the confident group casually took to the home floor where they’ll be playing Friday.

“We get play right here in front of you guys so hope to see you here this weekend,” South Carolina senior Aleighsa Welch said to those attending the watch party.

Also playing Friday in Columbia are No. 8 seed Syracuse (21-9) and No. 9 seed Nebraska (21-10).

The winners of the two matchups will play Sunday.

The Gamecocks have won 32 in a row at home, but it won’t be easy for the Gamecocks to advance. NCAA bracket builders put opponents in the region that should challenge South Carolina.