- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,169,157
- Reaction score
- 59
COLUMBIA — Unlike last year, South Carolina women's basketball is waking up on Selection Sunday with a pretty good understanding that it won't be the No. 1 overall seed.
Last year coach Dawn Staley expressed some disagreement with the committee's decision to put her team as the No. 2 overall seed, citing strength of schedule as a strong argument.
This year the Gamecocks (31-3) are the No. 4 team in the polls heading into the tournament, and in most major bracketology haven't been higher than the third overall seed in any projections.
South Carolina was the No. 3 team in all of ESPN's updates until it fell to Texas in the SEC Tournament championship, allowing the Longhorns to jump them.
The selection show begins at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, here's where things are looking ahead of the official reveal.
The general consensus is that South Carolina will be one of four No. 1 seeds and in the Sacramento Regional.
South Carolina had been the No. 3 overall seed in all projections thus far with the Longhorns fighting for that fourth No. 1 seed. The series was tied 1-1, the Gamecocks SEC win on Jan. 15 and the Longhorns with the non-conference win on Nov. 27.
ESPN's bracketologist Charlie Creme wrote before the SEC Tournament championship that "with a win, Texas would also take the season series from South Carolina and earn placement in the Fort Worth region," and the No. 3 overall seed.
That's exactly what happened.
Based on current projections, UConn (33-0) is the No. 1 overall seed and UCLA (31-1) is No. 2. If all top teams make it to the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, South Carolina would play UConn in the Final Four, UCLA would play Texas.
Top seed UConn gets to decide whether it wants to be in a Sacramento or Fort Worth regional. UCLA is expected to pick Sacramento with Texas going to Fort Worth.
Here's where South Carolina is projected to land in the bracket:
If all teams that are currently projected as No. 1-4 overall teams make it to the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, South Carolina would play UConn in the Final Four, UCLA would play Texas.
The winners would then meet in the national championship.
Before South Carolina lost to Texas, it looked like it would be UConn vs Texas, UCLA vs South Carolina.
The Gamecocks lost to the Huskies twice last year, including in the national championship.
NET ranking: 3rd overall
This is the 15th NCAA tournament appearance in Staley's 18 seasons with South Carolina.
She has been to seven of the last 10 Final Fours, including five straight.
She's won three national championships, her first in 2017, then in 2022 and 2024. Her most recent title was part of an undefeated season where the Gamecocks went 38-0, a program record in single-season win total.
Staley won her 10th SEC regular-season title this year after finishing SEC play 15-1 but fell short of her 10th SEC Tournament championship, losing to Texas.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina March Madness bracket predictions on Selection Sunday
Continue reading...
Last year coach Dawn Staley expressed some disagreement with the committee's decision to put her team as the No. 2 overall seed, citing strength of schedule as a strong argument.
This year the Gamecocks (31-3) are the No. 4 team in the polls heading into the tournament, and in most major bracketology haven't been higher than the third overall seed in any projections.
South Carolina was the No. 3 team in all of ESPN's updates until it fell to Texas in the SEC Tournament championship, allowing the Longhorns to jump them.
The selection show begins at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, here's where things are looking ahead of the official reveal.
South Carolina's March Madness bracket projections on Selection Sunday
The general consensus is that South Carolina will be one of four No. 1 seeds and in the Sacramento Regional.
South Carolina had been the No. 3 overall seed in all projections thus far with the Longhorns fighting for that fourth No. 1 seed. The series was tied 1-1, the Gamecocks SEC win on Jan. 15 and the Longhorns with the non-conference win on Nov. 27.
ESPN's bracketologist Charlie Creme wrote before the SEC Tournament championship that "with a win, Texas would also take the season series from South Carolina and earn placement in the Fort Worth region," and the No. 3 overall seed.
That's exactly what happened.
Based on current projections, UConn (33-0) is the No. 1 overall seed and UCLA (31-1) is No. 2. If all top teams make it to the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, South Carolina would play UConn in the Final Four, UCLA would play Texas.
Top seed UConn gets to decide whether it wants to be in a Sacramento or Fort Worth regional. UCLA is expected to pick Sacramento with Texas going to Fort Worth.
Here's where South Carolina is projected to land in the bracket:
- ESPN: No. 4 seed overall, No. 1 seed in Sacramento 4 Regional, facing No. 16 High Point in the first round
- USA TODAY: No. 4 seed overall, No. 1 seed in Sacramento 4 Regional, facing winner of No. 16 High Point or Jacksonville in the first round
- CBS Sports: No. 4 seed overall, No. 1 seed in Sacramento 4 Regional, facing winner of No. 16 Alabama A&M/Samford in first round
- Her Hoops Stats: No. 4 seed overall, No. 1 seed in Sacramento 4 Regional, facing winner of No. 16 Alabama A&M/Samford in first round
Will South Carolina play UConn in NCAA Tournament?
If all teams that are currently projected as No. 1-4 overall teams make it to the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, South Carolina would play UConn in the Final Four, UCLA would play Texas.
The winners would then meet in the national championship.
Before South Carolina lost to Texas, it looked like it would be UConn vs Texas, UCLA vs South Carolina.
The Gamecocks lost to the Huskies twice last year, including in the national championship.
South Carolina women's basketball's résumé, NET ranking
NET ranking: 3rd overall
- Quad 1 record: 12-3
- Quad 2 record: 7-0
- Quad 3 record: 3-0
- Quad 4 record: 9-0
South Carolina's NCAA Tournament history under Dawn Staley
This is the 15th NCAA tournament appearance in Staley's 18 seasons with South Carolina.
She has been to seven of the last 10 Final Fours, including five straight.
She's won three national championships, her first in 2017, then in 2022 and 2024. Her most recent title was part of an undefeated season where the Gamecocks went 38-0, a program record in single-season win total.
Staley won her 10th SEC regular-season title this year after finishing SEC play 15-1 but fell short of her 10th SEC Tournament championship, losing to Texas.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina March Madness bracket predictions on Selection Sunday
Continue reading...
