South Carolina maintained its perfect record in dominant fashion Sunday with an 85-56 victory over Ole Miss in SEC conference play. With their 40th consecutive regular-season win, the No. 1-ranked Gamecocks improved to 21-0.
Remaining the only undefeated team in the country will be a challenge this week. Not only will the Gamecocks welcome No. 11 ranked UConn to town on Sunday, but they’ll have to play the Huskies without star center Kamilla Cardoso. The senior is traveling to her native Brazil to play for the Brazilian national team in the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which runs Feb. 8-11.
While the timing isn’t ideal for South Carolina, head coach Dawn Staley is fully supportive of Cardoso.
“We want the best players on our team, and sometimes the best players are the best players that represent another country,” Staley said. “When we recruited her we said if there’s an opportunity to go with your national team, go with your national team. Same with [Laeticia Amihere], the last couple years she went to the Canadian national team training camp and competitions and she’s an Olympian. It only makes use feel good.
“We’ll feel the void that Kamilla leaves with us, but I’m sure all the…
