With Conference tournaments in their final stages, all eyes are on the NCAA championship run. Defending champions and unbeaten UConn Huskies are favorites in the tournament, while an ESPN reporter puts UCLA in the mix following their strong season. From the SEC, Dawn Staley’s South Carolina was also a strong competitor.
The third-ranked side had a clear shot at the SEC championship after an impressive performance against the LSU Tigers. But in the finals, the Texas side shocked the defending champions with a 78-61 win. Interestingly, Coach was less bothered by the loss and even found a silver lining in the loss.
Dawn Staley Boldly Claims Championship Run
Former WNBA player is famous for her ‘never-give-up’ attitude and even backed the WNBPA to fight for their demands in the CBA discussions. When it comes to her DI team, the coach found a silver lining in the recent loss and looked to boost her players’ and fans’ morale after losing the SEC championship.
In the post-game conference, Staley said, “Our team knows we didn’t play our best basketball. Not nearly what we’re capable of doing. And I told them that the last time we lost in this situation [in 2022], we won a national championship. So you’ve got to think about that. It might be the very thing this team needs. It’s not what I would think, yesterday, coming in today.”
Dawn Staley on the message she shared with her team following a tough loss to #Texas:
— Chaz R Frazier (@Chazf_tv) March 8, 2026
"I told them the last time we loss in this situation, we won the National Championship…It might be the very thing this team needs."@abc_columbia – #Gamecocks pic.twitter.com/zLgc4yfWT0
She added that the loss is a reality check and a chance to find the flaws in the game to make a run for a national championship. She showed confidence on her side improved for the big tournament and assured that they will be ready for the challenge from next week after rest and recollecting themselves.
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The last time the Gamecocks lost in the SEC championship game, they went on to win the championship in 2022. Even though the loss is shocking for many fans and many analysts, they are certain to see the Gamecocks back on top next season.
Dawn Staley Backs Her Team’s Dominance In SEC
The decorated coach always spoke highly about her teams and players, and thrashing the recent chatter about the fan support and proximity benefiting the USC team.
“I do believe we have won outside of Greenville, right? Do I think we are successful because we are in Greenville? No, I think we are successful because we have had really good teams,” Staley said after the semifinal win. “Do I think that the crowd is bias? Yes, because it is a close proximity to our campus. So there is a little bit of an edge (for us), but you still have to play the games.”
The reason for chatter lies in ticket sales, with the Gamecocks enjoying huge annual profits in a houseful 15,000-seater arena.