“Coin Flip Drama! South Carolina Wins SEC Tournament No. 1 Seed Over Texas”
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Gamecocks will enter the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament as the No. 1 seed after a dramatic coin flip on Sunday determined their fate.
Both No. 6 South Carolina and No. 1 Texas finished conference play with identical 15-1 records, splitting their head-to-head matchups. With no tiebreaker available, the SEC turned to a coin flip to decide the tournament’s top seed.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey conducted the flip live from Birmingham, Alabama, during halftime of the LSU vs. Ole Miss game. The moment was broadcast on the SEC Network, and a loud cheer erupted from the South Carolina locker room as the result was revealed.
“We watched in the locker room, and it was kind of exciting,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “I know when you’re part of the equation, it doesn’t feel good to have your fate in a coin flip. I didn’t know eight other sports use a coin flip. That was news to me. I feel better about it now.”
Meanwhile, the Texas Longhorns watched from their home court after a dominant win over Florida.
“We can’t control the way the coin landed. It is what it is,” said Texas center Taylor Jones. “Whatever team we play, we’ve played before.”
However, Texas coach Vic Schaefer took a jab at Sankey’s claim that he practiced the coin flip for two hours beforehand.
“So what was he practicing? Was he practicing for South Carolina to be heads up or Texas to be heads up?” Schaefer questioned. “I mean, why do you have to practice for two hours? What are you trying to get accomplished?”
This marks the ninth time in the last 12 tournaments that South Carolina has secured the top seed.
The Gamecocks now enjoy a scheduling advantage, playing their quarterfinal matchup at noon EST on Friday, giving them extra rest before a potential semifinal showdown. Texas, on the other hand, won’t tip off until six hours later.
However, the Longhorns may have an easier path to the final, as No. 3 LSU—a potential semifinal opponent—will be without star Flau’jae Johnson, who is sidelined with a shin injury. Johnson, who averages 18.9 points per game, is LSU’s leading scorer.
