South Carolina Dominates SEC Tournament Again – Record-Breaking Attendance, Vic Schaefer’s Complaints, and Big Payouts for Dawn Staley!
A Three-Peat for the Gamecocks!
South Carolina clinched its third straight SEC Tournament championship on Sunday, bringing its overall tally to nine titles. The Gamecocks once again proved their dominance, wrapping up another thrilling tournament in Greenville.
Record-Breaking Attendance Yet Again!
For the second consecutive year, the SEC Tournament shattered attendance records.
- Wednesday’s opening round saw 9,082 fans, a new record for first-round attendance. A kids’ day promotion brought in local students, boosting the numbers.
- Thursday’s second-round session hit 7,649 fans, another record. Having Tennessee—with its massive traveling fan base—definitely helped.
- Saturday’s semifinals set yet another milestone, with 13,275 fans packing the arena.
- Sunday’s championship game reached a staggering 13,532 fans, marking the highest attendance for any SEC Tournament game ever.
The final tally? 71,910 fans across all sessions—smashing last year’s record of 64,905.
“Home Court Advantage?” – Vic Schaefer Sounds Off
Texas head coach Vic Schaefer didn’t hold back his frustrations, repeatedly pointing out that South Carolina has a significant advantage playing in Greenville with its massive fan support. While other coaches acknowledged the challenge, they kept their focus on winning games instead of debating the location.
The SEC has already locked in Greenville as the tournament host for three more seasons, and with back-to-back record-breaking attendance numbers, it’s safe to say the conference isn’t too concerned with Schaefer’s complaints.
All-Tournament Team Announced
Chloe Kitts stole the spotlight, earning Tournament MVP honors. She was joined by:
- Sania Feagin (South Carolina)
- MiLaysia Fulwiley (South Carolina)
- Annesah Morrow (LSU)
- Madison Booker (Texas)
Media members had their own takes:
- Chris Wellbaum (GamecockCentral) included Kitts, Fulwiley, Morrow, Tessa Johnson, and Mikayla Blakes in his top picks.
- Griffin Goodwyn selected Kitts, Fulwiley, Feagin, Booker, and Joyce Edwards.
Dawn Staley Keeps Cashing In!
Winning pays off—literally! South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley is already raking in some impressive bonuses:
- $15,000 for winning 11+ SEC games
- $100,000 for securing both the SEC Regular Season and Tournament titles
- $25,000 for making the NCAA Tournament
That’s $145,000 in extra cash—and the big money is still on the table.
If South Carolina keeps advancing in March Madness, Staley’s earnings will skyrocket, starting with $50,000 for a Sweet Sixteen appearance and maxing out at $500,000 if she wins the national championship.
The Gamecocks are rolling, the fans are showing up, and Dawn Staley is stacking her bank account. Can anyone stop South Carolina this season?
