Breaking Barriers:ESPN From a South Carolina repeat to UConn ending its title drought: Six teams that could win it all 3 days ago
The South Carolina Gamecocks (30-3) had as many losses going into the women’s NCAA tournament as they have in the previous three seasons combined. Despite winning the conference tournament and sharing the SEC regular-season championship with Texas, the Gamecocks are not ranked #1 in the Associated Press poll. Additionally, they have one lopsided defeat on their record, a 29-point defeat to UConn at home on February 16.
The Gamecocks, however, are still the favorites to advance to the Final Four for the sixth time in a row, and they might be the most prominent team on the short list of potential national champions.
However, unlike the previous two seasons when the Gamecocks went into the NCAA tournament unbeaten, ran the table for the program’s third championship last season, and lost in the national semifinals in 2023, this year’s championship is not South
The biggest question mark for South Carolina going into the season was its interior game. For the second consecutive season, the Gamecocks lost 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso, a WNBA lottery pick post player. Then, in January, 6-foot-2 junior forward Ashlyn Watkins suffered a knee injury that ended his season.
However, the frontcourt has improved. Joyce Edwards is one of the top freshman in the nation, senior Sania Feagin is having her finest season yet, and junior Chloe Kitts was chosen SEC tournament
Coach Dawn Staley’s offensive and defensive demands are met by the guard corps of Raven Johnson, Bree Hall, Te-Hina Paopao, Tessa Johnson, and MiLaysia Fulwiley, who do not have to shoulder the burden.
Additionally, the Gamecocks appeared to refocus after their defeats to Texas and UConn in February. Six of their previous seven opponents will be NCAA tournament teams, and they have dominated them. This season, the SEC was excellent and had the potential to send multiple teams to the Sweet 16. Their chances of
