Despite a dominant season and an impressive resume, the South Carolina Gamecocks were not awarded the top overall seed in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Head coach Dawn Staley did not hide her disappointment, citing the team’s challenging schedule and overall performance as reasons they deserved the No. 1 spot. However, she remains confident in her squad’s ability to defend their national title and chase a third championship in four years.
A Resume Worthy of the No. 1 Overall Seed
The Gamecocks finished the regular season with a stellar 30-3 record, securing the SEC regular-season and tournament titles. They consistently played one of the toughest schedules in the country, defeating multiple ranked opponents and showcasing dominance on both ends of the court.
Many analysts believed that South Carolina had built a strong case for the No. 1 overall seed, but the selection committee instead placed UCLA in that spot. The Bruins, who had an equally impressive season, finished with a slightly better record and were named the top seed in the Portland 1 region.
For Staley, the decision was disappointing, but she quickly shifted focus to the challenge ahead.
Staley’s Response: “We’ll Prove It on the Court”
Following the bracket reveal, Staley addressed the media, acknowledging her frustration while emphasizing that the team is motivated rather than discouraged.
“Of course, we felt like we deserved the top spot,” Staley said. “We played one of the toughest schedules in the country, we won our conference, and we did everything we were supposed to do. But at the end of the day, a seed is just a number. What matters is how we perform in this tournament.”
Staley’s confidence is well-founded. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have been a powerhouse in women’s college basketball, winning national titles in 2017, 2022, and 2024. They have consistently been a Final Four contender, and this year’s squad has all the tools to make another deep run.
A Path to Another Title
As the No. 1 seed in the Birmingham 2 region, South Carolina will open the tournament against No. 16 seed Tennessee Tech. While the Gamecocks are heavy favorites, Staley knows that March Madness is unpredictable.
“This time of year, nothing is guaranteed,” Staley warned. “We have to take it one game at a time and play our best basketball. The goal is to cut down the nets again, and we’re ready for the challenge.”
With a roster full of experienced players and a coach who knows how to win in March, South Carolina remains a top contender for the national title. Though they may not have been awarded the top overall seed, the Gamecocks have a chance to make the ultimate statement—by winning another championship.
