“We’ve Got to Do Better”: Kristy Curry’s Full Reaction After Alabama’s Loss to South Carolina
Alabama women’s basketball head coach Kristy Curry offered a candid and thoughtful assessment of her team following the Crimson Tide’s 83–57 loss at No. 3 South Carolina — a game that snapped Alabama’s undefeated start and served as a tough challenge to begin SEC play. (SI)
Coming off a dominant non-conference season, Curry emphasized both respect for the opponent and accountability for her team’s performance.
“I think it’s important to understand they had a significant size advantage,” Curry said when asked what allowed South Carolina to pull away late. “I thought they physically overtook us in the third and fourth quarters. We’ve got to do a better job showing more resistance and defending the paint.” (SI)
Her comments highlighted the physical mismatch Alabama faced down low and how it impacted the Tide’s ability to stay competitive. South Carolina’s size and depth worked to their advantage — especially after halftime — and Curry acknowledged that her team needed a stronger defensive presence to counter it.
Coach’s Assessment: Honest and Forward-Looking
Rather than dwelling on the defeat alone, Curry’s remarks struck a balance between evaluating her team’s execution and recognizing the quality of the opposition — a tone she’s often struck in previous postgame pressers against top programs like South Carolina. In a similar matchup last season, she remarked:
“Just, you know, got beat by a very good South Carolina team tonight. I think they do a really good job of making you pay for mistakes…”
— Kristy Curry after an earlier loss to South Carolina (On3)
This past game reinforced that message. Curry noted that execution — especially early in the game — could have been tighter, and that against an elite team like the Gamecocks, small errors can quickly turn into big runs.
Across both recent and past comments, several themes emerge in Curry’s post-loss reflections:
1. Respect for the Opponent’s Strength
Curry consistently credits strong opponents for performing well. In this recent game, she acknowledged South Carolina’s physical edge and control of the glass, something that impacted Alabama’s ability to stay close. (SI)
In previous matchups versus South Carolina, she similarly praised the opponent’s depth:
“Their second group’s as good as their first group… that’s something that makes them incredibly difficult to guard…” (On3)
2. Focus on Execution and Growth
Postgame, Curry pointed to execution and effort as areas requiring attention. While specifics differ depending on the opponent and year, she regularly frames losses as learning opportunities — focusing on how her team responds and grows. In prior press conferences, she emphasized execution issues and how they showed up in rebounding and defense. (On3)
3. Embracing Adversity
Whether talking about losses to SEC powerhouses or tough tournament games, Curry often notes that challenges build resilience. She has said in past contexts:
“When you have adversity, it reveals character…”
— Kristy Curry on growth after difficult games (SI)
That long-term perspective — viewing a single loss as part of a larger learning curve — was evident in her postgame statements, even if she didn’t explicitly repeat the exact phrase this time.
What Comes Next for the Tide
Coach Curry wrapped up by looking ahead. While acknowledging the loss’s sting, she framed it as a reset point for Alabama as it returns home for its next SEC matchup. Her message was clear: learn, adjust, and respond with effort and toughness.
Her comments — both this season and in past comparable losses — reflect a coach committed to building toughness, nurturing growth, and instilling accountability while maintaining respect for elite competition like South Carolina.
