South Carolina Enters SEC Tournament as No. 1 Seed, Primed for Another Title Run
Gameday is near, and with the flip of a coin, South Carolina once again finds itself as the team to beat. The Gamecocks head into the 2025 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament as the No. 1 seed, determined to defend their title and set the stage for March Madness. Even with injuries and fresh faces, Dawn Staley’s squad finished the regular season at 27-3 overall and 15-1 in conference play, securing the SEC regular-season championship in dominant fashion.
SEC Regular Season Recap: Different Pieces, Same Dominance
Coach Dawn Staley has built a program that doesn’t just expect championships—it demands them. South Carolina has maintained its elite standard, winning another SEC regular-season title despite new faces and challenges.
Versatility, suffocating defense, rebounding dominance, unselfish play, and a high-tempo offense have overwhelmed opponents all season. Ashlyn Watkins’ absence forced adjustments in the frontcourt, but Joyce Edwards has emerged as a force, keeping the Gamecocks rolling.
2025 SEC Tournament – Key Players to Watch
⭐ Sania Feagin (Forward, Sr.) – The Anchor
A defensive enforcer, Sania Feagin has anchored the Gamecocks’ frontcourt, earning a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team. Expect her to control the paint, dominate the boards, and set the tone physically on both ends.
⭐ Joyce Edwards (Forward, Fr.) – The Rising Star
A freshman sensation, Edwards stepped up in Watkins’ absence. She plays with maturity beyond her years, earning spots on both the All-SEC First Team and All-Freshman Team—placing her among elite company.
⭐ MiLaysia Fulwiley (Guard, So.) – The X-Factor
Electrifying. Dynamic. A human highlight reel. Fulwiley’s creativity, confidence, speed, and ability to take over games make her one of the most dangerous players in the country. Her stellar season earned her the Sixth Woman of the Year Award and an All-SEC Second Team selection. She’s primed for back-to-back SEC Tournament MVP honors.
⭐ Te-Hina Paopao (Guard, Sr.) – The Steady Veteran
A deadly shooter and calm presence in clutch moments, Paopao is a key part of South Carolina’s success. The All-SEC Second Team performer will look to deliver one of those classic performances, knocking down threes, floating mid-range jumpers, and dishing dimes with ease.
⭐ Chloe Kitts (Forward, Jr.) – Versatility at Its Finest
Coming off a triple-double against Ole Miss, Kitts showcased her all-around game, earning SEC and National Player of the Week honors. She’s peaking at the perfect time and could deliver an MVP-caliber tournament performance.
⭐ Raven Johnson (Point Guard, RS Sr.) & Breezy Hall (Wing, Sr.) – The Defensive Stoppers
Johnson secured a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team, while Hall’s impact—though not always reflected in accolades—shuts down opposing stars night after night.
⭐ Tessa Johnson (Guard, So.) – The Brains
With elite basketball IQ and lethal 3-point shooting, Johnson will be a critical piece in South Carolina’s tournament success.
⭐ Maddy McDaniel (PG, Fr.) & Maryam Dauda (Forward, Jr.) – The Gamechangers Off the Bench
McDaniel’s poise as a freshman and Dauda’s inside-out versatility make them key depth pieces for South Carolina’s title chase.
Prediction: Gamecocks Handle Business
Despite challenges, South Carolina remains one of the deepest and most dominant teams in the SEC. Staley knows how to prepare her squad for tournament time, and with their firepower, expect the Gamecocks to handle business, capture another conference title, and roll into March Madness as a No. 1 seed—with bigger goals in sight.
South Carolina’s NCAA Tournament Resume (As of March 7, 2025)
✅ NET Ranking: #2
✅ Strength of Schedule: #1
✅ Quad 1 Wins/Losses: 14-3 (most in the country)
✅ SEC Regular Season Champions
Up Next: South Carolina (27-3) vs. Vanderbilt (22-9)
The Gamecocks look to replicate their dominant win in Nashville, where they controlled the game from start to finish—winning the rebounding battle, dominating the paint, and locking down defensively, holding Mikayla Blakes to just 19 points.
The real story? South Carolina’s bench outscored Vanderbilt’s entire team. Expect the depth and defensive intensity to be a major factor once again.
Key Matchups to Watch
🔥 Guard Play vs. Mikayla Blakes
Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes is a ball-dominant leader, but South Carolina’s defense must disrupt her rhythm. She’s turnover-prone (3 TOs PG) and foul-prone (2.5 fouls PG)—expect aggressive pressure to force mistakes.
🔥 Post Play vs. Khalil Pierre
Vanderbilt’s Khalil Pierre is their second-leading scorer and top rebounder. South Carolina must stay disciplined, keep her off the glass, and limit deep post positioning.
🔥 Guard Depth Advantage
While Vanderbilt relies on a tight three-guard rotation, South Carolina’s depth—six guards deep—gives them an edge on both ends of the floor.
🔥 Post Depth Advantage
With Kitts and Feagin starting, plus Edwards, Dauda, Walker, and Tac off the bench, South Carolina’s post game is elite—too much size, skill, and depth for Vanderbilt to handle.
Keys to the Win
1️⃣ Stay Focused – Keep the main thing, the main thing. Control the pace.
2️⃣ Set the Tone Early – Hit first and don’t let up.
3️⃣ Lock In Defensively – South Carolina’s stifling man-to-man defense holds teams 20+ points below their season average—stay locked in.
4️⃣ Bench Production – The Seatbelt Gang leads the nation in bench points per game. Depth wins championships.
5️⃣ Win the Rebounding Battle – When South Carolina wins the glass, they win the game. Own the paint.
6️⃣ Take Care of the Ball – Ball movement and smart passing will be crucial.
7️⃣ Force Turnovers – The Gamecocks force 17 turnovers per game, while Vanderbilt averages 13.7 turnovers per game.
8️⃣ Convert at the Free-Throw Line – Vanderbilt will foul. Make them pay.
9️⃣ Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Disciplined – Act like champions.
🔟 Have Fun!
The Road to Another Championship Starts Now
With Dawn Staley at the helm and an elite roster, South Carolina enters the SEC Tournament as the team to beat. The Gamecocks are built for this moment—and March Madness looms large. Let the title chase begin.
