“South Carolina Wins SEC Title Share, Climbs to No. 5 in AP Rankings Ahead of Tournament Run!”
Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks continue to dominate the SEC, securing a share of the regular season title for the fourth straight year and the fifth time in six seasons. In an unusual twist, USC claimed the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament via coin flip after tying with the Texas Longhorns atop the standings.
Gamecocks Finish Strong, Climb in AP Poll
Following a 27-3 overall record and a 15-1 mark in SEC play, South Carolina closed the regular season with four straight wins, bouncing back from two top-10 losses in eight days. The Associated Press rewarded their resilience, bumping the Gamecocks up one spot to No. 5 in the latest AP Top 25 rankings.
Updated AP Top 25 Rankings
- **Texas Longhorns (25)
- Southern Cal Trojans (6)
- UConn Huskies
- UCLA Bruins
- South Carolina Gamecocks**
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- NC State Wolfpack
- TCU Horned Frogs
- LSU Tigers
- Oklahoma Sooners
(Full rankings continue below)
SEC Tournament Path Set for Gamecocks
With the SEC Tournament tipping off Wednesday in Greenville, South Carolina, the Gamecocks will enjoy a double-bye and won’t play until Friday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Their quarterfinal opponent will be one of the following:
- Texas A&M Aggies vs. Tennessee Lady Volunteers (First Round)
- Winner faces Vanderbilt Commodores (Second Round)
- That winner advances to face South Carolina
A victory in the quarterfinals could set up a semifinal showdown with Kentucky, while the other side of the bracket sees Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma battling for a potential championship berth.
A Title Rematch With Texas on the Horizon?
Many expect the SEC Tournament to culminate in a high-stakes rematch between South Carolina and Texas, the nation’s top-ranked team in the latest AP poll. The two powerhouses split their regular-season series, setting the stage for a potential winner-take-all showdown for the conference crown.
With momentum on their side and Dawn Staley leading the charge, the Gamecocks are primed for another deep tournament run.
