It has been more than two months since South Carolina has garnered more than a single No. 1 overall vote in the AP ballots. But come Monday, don’t be surprised if the Gamecocks gain ground on No. 1 UCLA, the only team to defeat SC so far this season.
That road loss to the Bruins in November is the one piece of No. 2 South Carolina’s resume that doesn’t scream No. 1. But with a 66-56 win over No. 5 LSU — the Tigers’ first loss this season — in front of a sold-out crowd Friday night, the Gamecocks bolstered their case for moving to the top spot in the rankings ahead of the only team that has beaten them (and right now, the only remaining undefeated women’s basketball team in America).
South Carolina now has nine wins over Quad 1 teams (the next-most nationally is five by Notre Dame and UCLA). The Gamecocks are 19-1 while playing the toughest schedule in the country this season. On Friday, they earned their fifth win of the season against a top-10 team (at the time of the game) and remained undefeated in the SEC. Their balanced attack has proven, yet again, to be their secret sauce.
The game was pushed back from Thursday night after winter weather made it hazardous for the Tigers to depart from Baton Rouge on time. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley admitted that made…
