South Carolina is just two games away from a perfect season, but that is easier said than done because only nine teams have ever become undefeated champions in women’s college basketball history.
The Gamecocks were in a similar situation last year, as they were undefeated until falling to Iowa in the Final Four. On paper, the 2023-24 campaign was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Dawn Staley’s team, but it’s been as dominant as ever — somewhat to Staley’s surprise.
“We’ve exceeded expectations, internal and externally,” Staley said Wednesday after winning her third consecutive Naismith Coach of the Year Award. “To be undefeated … so unexpected. So, so very unexpected. There are plenty of times when I thought we should’ve won a national championship but we didn’t. This is somewhat of a repayment.”
The championship aspirations didn’t work out last year despite the promising roster, but this Gamecocks team seems better equipped to go all the way than last year’s because of its depth and improved offense. While nothing is guaranteed, considering the paths of other undefeated champions, it is hard to argue against the Gamecocks fitting the bill.
Three of the biggest trends from the nine…
