Schaefer Praises Staley’s Consistency as Texas and South Carolina Clash Again in Final Four
TAMPA, Fla. – When it comes to sustained excellence in women’s college basketball, few names stand out like Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley. Texas coach Vic Schaefer acknowledges that while Auriemma’s dominance with UConn is unparalleled—24 Final Four appearances and 11 national titles—Staley’s incredible consistency puts her in elite company.
“I have a great deal of respect and admiration for both of them because they have done it at an incredible level,” Schaefer said. “And they’re very consistent year in and year out. In any profession, y’all, no matter what you’re doing, that’s what you strive for. If you’re worth your salt, you’re trying to be the best.”
That pursuit of greatness continues Friday night as Schaefer’s No. 1-seed Longhorns take on Staley’s top-seeded Gamecocks in a Final Four showdown—their fourth meeting this season. South Carolina has taken two of the three previous matchups, including a dominant victory in the SEC Tournament final. But history means little now, especially to Staley, who refuses to let past wins dictate future success.
“We’re not going to rely on our success against them to say, ‘Hey, we beat them,’” Staley said. “I’m looking at the loss from this year and how we can prevent that.”
Battle of the Boards Could Decide the Game
The rebounding battle has been the deciding factor in all three previous matchups. South Carolina controlled the glass in their two wins, outrebounding Texas 42-40 in January and 37-35 in the SEC Tournament final. However, Texas flipped the script in their lone victory, winning the boards battle 42-35 and securing a four-point win over the Gamecocks.
Texas prides itself on dominating the paint, led by 6-6 center Kyla Oldacre and 6-4 forward Taylor Jones. South Carolina forward Chloe Kitts acknowledges the size disadvantage but emphasizes that guard rebounding will be critical for her team.
“It’s kind of hard to rebound down there with those big girls, so our guard rebounding is gonna be super important for us,” Kitts said. “And then obviously boxing out is just super important. So we just need to really key in on that.”
Defense Will Set the Tone
Texas hangs its hat on elite defense, aiming to hold opponents to 60 points or fewer each game. Their lockdown ability was on full display in the Elite Eight, where they held TCU to just 47 points, far below the Horned Frogs’ season average of 76.7.
“When we’re playing our best defense and keeping the score pretty low, I think we have a better chance,” said Texas senior guard Rori Harmon.
With both teams excelling on the defensive end, Harmon expects a gritty, low-scoring battle where effort and toughness will determine the winner.
“The name of the game is just who is going to win it more on the biggest stage that we’re at right now,” she said. “And who is going to be tougher and bring the most energy.”
South Carolina’s ‘Seatbelt Gang’ Looks to Shut Down Texas’ Star
South Carolina has built its defensive identity around Raven Johnson and Bree Hall, who have embraced the nickname “Seatbelt Gang”—a reference to their ability to lock down opposing scorers.
“Honestly, it means don’t come on our island when it comes to defense,” Johnson said. “When we’re in front of you, just know you’re going to have to make a tough bucket.”
The spotlight will be on Hall, who typically defends the opponent’s top scorer. On Friday, her assignment will be SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker, who has been on fire this postseason, averaging 18.7 points per game.
Staley has full confidence in Hall’s defensive ability, calling her one of the best defensive players she’s ever coached.
“She’s really locked in when it comes to that side because she knows that she’s got to do her part,” Staley said. “And her part is a big part that we rely on to get wins. And that’s not scoring a whole lot of points. It’s actually preventing our opponents from scoring a lot of points.”
Then came the ultimate praise from Staley, a Hall of Famer and one of the best basketball minds in the game:
“She’s in my top five in my 25 years of coaching.”
With a trip to the national championship on the line, the stage is set for another South Carolina vs. Texas battle—a game where defense, rebounding, and mental toughness will decide who survives and advances.
