Columbia is buzzing with anticipation as South Carolina's women's basketball team finds itself on the brink of another milestone. The Gamecocks, ranked third nationally, are poised to capture their 10th championship in 13 years and fifth straight, holding a commanding lead in the SEC standings with just four games remaining.
Coach Dawn Staley and her squad are well aware of their advantageous position, though they're keeping specifics under wraps. "We control our own destiny," Staley noted. "A regular-season SEC championship will be tremendous for our team."
With an impressive 11-1 conference record, South Carolina has distanced itself from the pack. Their closest rivals, Texas and Vanderbilt, have already fallen to the Gamecocks this season.
If South Carolina manages to defeat No. 25 Alabama on February 19 and No.
17 Ole Miss on February 22-or win any two of their final four games-they’ll secure the SEC regular-season title outright.
However, the path isn’t entirely clear of obstacles. Should Texas and Vanderbilt win their remaining games while South Carolina drops two, a shared championship could be in the cards. Still, South Carolina's head-to-head victories over these teams give them a favorable position for the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament, should they win two more games.
Fans eager to see the Gamecocks in action at the SEC Tournament in Greenville might want to start planning their schedules. A 2-0 run this week would all but ensure South Carolina's top seeding.
Yet, Staley remains cautious. "The LSU game was big for us," she said. "Now we've got Alabama on the road, and that's always a challenge."
Staley is no stranger to tight races. She recalls 2017, when South Carolina was in a similar position, trailing Mississippi State. But the Bulldogs stumbled, and the Gamecocks seized the opportunity, clinching the title.
This time, Staley is determined to keep her team focused. "I remind them, ‘What’s at stake?
You’ve done a pretty good job with winning 11 games in our league thus far. You’ve got to finish it,’” she emphasized.
With the finish line in sight, South Carolina is ready to make another championship run, and fans are eagerly watching as the drama unfolds.