The South Carolina women's basketball team, under the guidance of coach Dawn Staley, is once again at the pinnacle of college basketball, preparing for the Final Four on Friday with an undefeated record and the No. 1 ranking. However, this year's journey to the top has been a stark contrast to last season's experienced lineup, with Staley admitting to facing unexpected challenges with a younger squad.
Last season, the Gamecocks were poised for national championship glory, only to be halted by Iowa in the semifinals, a defeat that has lingered with the returning players. This year, despite retaining their undefeated status, the dynamics within the team have shifted significantly, presenting Staley with unforeseen hurdles from the onset. From the moment the team reconvened, it became apparent to the coach that this group was unlike her previous rosters. A majority of the players were out of shape, and there were noticeable lapses in discipline – missed breakfasts, ignored text messages and absentees from meetings.
“I really am drawn to challenges,” Staley said, as reported by Andre Adelson of ESPN. “I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready for lateness. I wasn't ready for no communication. I wasn't ready for all the things that come with having a younger team. I wasn't used to not having a leader just really take hold of situations and handle them.”
Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks' ‘new normal'
Despite these early setbacks, Staley's resolve only strengthened. Viewing these challenges as an opportunity rather than a setback, she embarked on a mission to instill the Gamecocks' esteemed standards with the youthful group.
“So the transition was hard, but then once I started to look at it as a challenge, I wasn't going to let them get the best of me, our staff or our program or what we've built. That's when it started clicking in, like, hmm, this must happen,” Staley said. “We've got to get a hold of this very, very quickly or else it's not going to work out for a part of us — them or our coaching staff. We're a very strong coaching staff that will not allow anyone to destroy what we built.”
The transition wasn't seamless, but a pivot in approach gradually aligned the team with the program's lofty expectations. Staley's adaptable strategy fostered an environment where the young team could thrive, underscoring that “there's a number of ways to be successful.”
“It's a new normal, but the standard is still the standard, which I really, really appreciate,” she said.
The finish line in sight for South Carolina, Dawn Staley
As the Final Four again NC State on Friday looms, the Gamecocks, driven by the lessons of the past and present trials, stand united in their pursuit of of a title. The sting of last year's Final Four exit serves as a reminder of the thin line between winning and disappointment. Sophomore guard Raven Johnson, sophomore forward Chloe Kitts, junior guard Bree Hall, along with their teammates, harbor no illusions about the task ahead.
“I don't want to lose,” Kitts said. “We haven't lost since then. We came close to losing to Tennessee, and we knew what that felt like, it was a horrible feeling, and we never want to feel that way again. We just have to treat every game like it's your last, and try not to look ahead.”
Looking ahead, the prospect of clinching the title that eluded them last year is within grasp. Staley, reflecting on the journey, acknowledges the visible “finish line” but remains wary of the pitfalls of complacency.
“You can see the finish line,” Staley said. “It's not disrespecting the process or not disrespecting our opponent, but once you get here, they can see it. NC State can see it. UConn can see it. Iowa can see the end of the finish line. There's one in the possible games left for all of us, and I want to win.
“I want to win.”
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