South Carolina Looks to Regroup After UConn Blowout, Staley Calls for Leaders to Step Up
The sting of South Carolina’s crushing loss to UConn on Sunday has lingered longer than usual, and Dawn Staley isn’t shying away from addressing it head-on.
The Gamecocks were dismantled 87-58 in front of 1.8 million viewers in one of the season’s most anticipated matchups. The defeat snapped a 71-game home win streak and marked their worst loss at Colonial Life Arena since 2008.
“The team that took the floor against UConn really wasn’t our team,” Staley told reporters on Wednesday. “As a coach, you start wondering—this isn’t just about basketball, so what is it?”
The humbling defeat prompted a team meeting, where the Gamecocks aired frustrations and held each other accountable.
“We had a come-to-Jesus meeting,” Staley revealed. “We apologized for our performances and moved on. We’re not staying stuck in that space. I’m not looking for excuses—I’m calling it what it is. Players have to step up. Coaches have to step up. If we want to achieve our goals, it’s going to take a collective effort.”
When asked who spoke up in the meeting, Staley didn’t single anyone out, insisting “everybody” had something to say.
“Nobody liked that performance. Not one person,” she said. “But we also have to be honest with ourselves about what we need to bring to the table. I think our players are doing that.”
Regaining Identity After Three Losses
The UConn defeat was South Carolina’s third loss of the season, dropping them to 23-3 overall and No. 6 in the AP Top 25—their first season with more than two losses since 2020-21.
Staley identified a common theme in all three losses—against UCLA, Texas, and UConn—stating the team simply didn’t play its brand of basketball.
“The question is, were we forced to play that way, or was it self-inflicted?” Staley said. “Either way, it wasn’t us. We have to get back to being ourselves. When you lose, it’s easy to think everything is broken. It’s not. We just have to return to our good habits.”
The main takeaway from the meeting? The Gamecocks’ most experienced players must step up.
“Te-Hina (Paopao) has to be better. Chloe (Kitts) has to be better. (Sania) Feagin has to be better,” Staley emphasized. “They are the ones with the most experience, and they know that.”
Fatigue a Factor, but No Excuses
Staley also acknowledged the grind of a long season could be weighing on her squad.
“I think it’s a little bit of just the wear and tear of the season,” she admitted. “It happens. We’ve done a good job of camouflaging it so far, but when you’re playing in a game of that magnitude, you have to face the music.”
Still, she remains confident the Gamecocks will respond.
“I’m not shying away from it,” Staley declared. “We do our best work in moments like this. So we’re going to embrace the loss, learn from it, and move on.”
Next Up: Arkansas
The Gamecocks will look to bounce back at home against Arkansas (9-18, 2-10 SEC) on Thursday night.
- Who: No. 6 South Carolina (23-3, 11-1 SEC) vs. Arkansas (9-18, 2-10 SEC)
- When: 7 p.m. ET, Thursday
- Where: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC
- TV: SEC Network
- Stream: ESPN app
- Radio: 107.5 FM (Columbia area)
