South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley has made a compelling argument for her team to be named the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
This comes after the Gamecocks delivered a commanding 64-45 victory over top-ranked Texas in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament championship game on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
The Gamecocks, who entered the SEC Tournament ranked fifth nationally and projected as a No. 2 seed, showcased their dominance by defeating three conference opponents by margins of 18, 21, and 19 points. Their performance has solidified their case for a top seed, but Staley believes her team deserves even more recognition.
“When you win this tournament and play the schedule that we play, I do think we’re the No. 1 overall seed,” Staley said in a postgame interview. “We manufactured our schedule to put ourselves in this situation. So I hope the committee doesn’t discount our entire résumé. There isn’t anybody in the country that has played the schedule that we have played, that had a share of the regular-season title, won this tournament, and beat the No. 1 team in the country. … There is no one” .
South Carolina’s 2024-25 season has been nothing short of impressive. The team boasts a 30-3 record, including 12 wins against Top 25 teams and two victories over Texas, the nation’s top-ranked team. Their three losses came against No. 1 Texas, No. 3 Connecticut, and No. 4 UCLA, all of which are elite programs. Additionally, the Gamecocks played 13 games against AP Top 25 teams during the regular season, two more than any other ranked team .
Staley expressed her surprise at her team’s initial projection as a No. 2 seed, emphasizing the strength of their schedule and their ability to navigate one of the toughest stretches in the country.
“If you get so much credit for beating us, and yet when we have had some of the toughest stretches in the country and came out of it unscathed, you can’t discount that,” she said. “You can’t discredit that. I’m going to speak up about it because you have to hear the voice of the other side. Because if you don’t think our body of work deserves it, then you need to speak out on it” .
The Gamecocks’ head coach also highlighted the strategic planning behind their schedule, which was designed to position them for a top seed.
“We manufactured our schedule to put ourselves in this situation,” Staley reiterated. “I’m going to go down fighting for what our team earned” .
South Carolina’s case for the No. 1 overall seed is further bolstered by their performance in the SEC Tournament, where they held Texas to a season-low 45 points and 29.6% shooting from the field. This marked the Longhorns’ worst offensive performance since their previous loss to South Carolina earlier in the season .
The NCAA women’s selection show is set for 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, on ESPN. With their dominant run through the SEC Tournament and a résumé that includes victories over top-ranked teams, the Gamecocks are poised to make a strong case for the top spot in the NCAA Tournament bracket .
Staley’s passionate plea for her team’s recognition underscores the competitive spirit and determination that have defined South Carolina’s season. As the selection committee prepares to finalize the tournament seeds, the Gamecocks’ performance and Staley’s advocacy will undoubtedly be key factors in the decision-making process.
