Editor’s note: This is part of the Bracket Central Series, an inside look at the run-up to the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments, along with analysis and picks during the tournaments.
In a season defined by parity and competitiveness at the top — 15 teams entering the top five of the Associated Press poll throughout the year — South Carolina stands alone.
Sitting at 29-0 after the end of the SEC regular season, no other team matched South Carolina’s undefeated record, marking back-to-back undefeated regular seasons for Dawn Staley’s squad.
To add some context to this hallmark season, the Gamecocks played the nation’s 22nd-ranked strength of schedule with the 27th-hardest nonconference schedule. For reference, Ohio State finished 24th in strength of schedule and Texas finished 26th, with Tennessee playing the hardest overall in Division I. Per CBB Analytics’ adjusted metrics, which account for strength of schedule and opposition, South Carolina finished third in the country in adjusted offensive rating (behind Iowa and Gonzaga, respectively) and first in adjusted defensive rating.
The Gamecocks finished with a 68.6 adjusted defensive rating. In other words, on average they allowed just 68.6 points per 100 possessions, a stifling mark. Kansas State finished…
