All Eyes on UConn? Dawn Staley Speaks Out Ahead of National Championship Clash with Huskies
The stage is set: On Sunday, the South Carolina Gamecocks will take on the UConn Huskies in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship game — a battle between two of the sport’s most dominant programs. For Dawn Staley and her undefeated Gamecocks, it’s not just about another win. It’s a shot at back-to-back national titles and their third championship in four years — an achievement worthy of historic recognition.
But ahead of the matchup, Staley voiced her frustration with how the national conversation often centers on her opponents rather than her team’s accomplishments. This year, that spotlight shines brightest on UConn star Paige Bueckers, much like it did last season with Iowa’s Caitlin Clark.
“Sometimes we create these narratives about great players — Caitlin was one of them; Paige is one of them right now — and we tend to forget the narrative about what our kids have been able to do,” Staley told reporters on Saturday, just 24 hours before tipoff. “They’re going for their third title in four years.”
She went on to praise Bueckers, calling her “a great freakin’ player” and saying, “Anybody would start their franchise with Paige because she’s a winner.” But she emphasized how the constant media attention on individual stars creates an imbalance.
“When you put a narrative out there, everybody sees that, and it puts us at a disadvantage — whether you want to believe so or not,” Staley explained. “Officials see it. It’s all over TikTok. It’s all over SportsCenter. It’s all over all of that.”
The sentiment echoes what South Carolina experienced in last year’s championship run — when the headlines were dominated by Caitlin Clark’s quest for a title, despite South Carolina’s own undefeated record and dominant performance.
The interview was featured in an ESPN piece by Andrea Adelson, and later shared on social media by ESPN’s Women’s Hoops X account. The post read:
“Dawn Staley says narrative around Paige Bueckers and her quest to win a title has overshadowed South Carolina’s feats.”
Shortly after, Staley fired back on X (formerly Twitter), calling out the post’s framing:
“LIES! Fix your headline, please!”
While Staley didn’t directly say the coverage was “overshadowing” her team, her comments clearly suggest frustration with how the media’s focus can skew public perception and even influence officiating and overall treatment.
In truth, Staley’s critique is more nuanced — she’s calling for equal recognition of both programs’ achievements, not dismissing the greatness of Bueckers.
Still, the best way to control the narrative is to win. And just like last year, Staley and her team have one more game to prove they’re still the standard.
Tipoff between South Carolina and UConn is set for Sunday. History — and legacy — is on the line.
