South Carolina women’s basketball: Five Things to Watch in the SEC Tournament

As the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament approaches, South Carolina’s women’s basketball team enters the competition as one of the top teams in the nation. Under head coach Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks have been a dominant force in college basketball, consistently challenging for national titles and securing top rankings in the NCAA Tournament. With a talented roster featuring some of the best players in the country, the Gamecocks are looking to continue their dominant run through the Southeastern Conference and make a statement in the tournament.

This year, however, the SEC Tournament presents its own unique challenges and opportunities for South Carolina. With intense competition, particularly from teams like LSU, Tennessee, and Mississippi State, the Gamecocks must bring their best basketball to make sure they leave the tournament with the SEC title. But what will it take for South Carolina to secure another tournament championship and further solidify their position as one of the nation’s elite teams?

Here are five key things to watch for as the Gamecocks navigate the SEC Tournament:

1. The Play of Aliyah Boston

One of the most anticipated aspects of South Carolina’s run in the SEC Tournament is the performance of Aliyah Boston, the team’s star player and one of the most dominant forces in women’s college basketball. As the 2022 NCAA Player of the Year and a perennial All-American, Boston has been the cornerstone of South Carolina’s success under Dawn Staley.

Boston’s impact goes beyond her scoring ability; she’s a relentless presence on both ends of the floor. As a forward, she is known for her elite rebounding (both offensively and defensively), as well as her ability to protect the rim with her shot-blocking skills. Additionally, Boston’s ability to stretch the floor with her offensive game, scoring both in the post and from mid-range, makes her a matchup nightmare for opponents.

In the SEC Tournament, Boston will undoubtedly be one of the focal points for the Gamecocks. Her ability to take over games in the paint, both offensively and defensively, will be crucial. In particular, Boston’s leadership and scoring ability could be the key to South Carolina advancing deep into the tournament, especially when facing the stronger competition that the SEC provides. Opponents will undoubtedly key in on her, and how she handles the defensive pressure could determine whether South Carolina secures the title.

Her ability to stay out of foul trouble and maintain her level of play over multiple games will be a key factor. If Boston can continue to dominate in the paint, it will be difficult for any SEC team to match up with South Carolina.

2. The Development of Zia Cooke’s Scoring and Playmaking

Another player to keep an eye on during the SEC Tournament is Zia Cooke, the Gamecocks’ dynamic guard and one of the top scorers in the SEC. Cooke has been a standout throughout her career at South Carolina, and her ability to score and facilitate has been vital for the team’s success. However, the SEC Tournament presents an opportunity for Cooke to step up and assert herself even more as the go-to scorer and leader on the floor.

Throughout the regular season, Cooke has demonstrated her ability to score in a variety of ways: whether it’s hitting mid-range jump shots, driving to the basket, or shooting from deep, Cooke’s offensive game has been one of the Gamecocks’ most consistent sources of production. Additionally, her defensive prowess and ability to generate steals make her a well-rounded player who impacts the game on both ends of the floor.

During the tournament, Cooke’s ability to create offense will be critical. While South Carolina’s offense typically flows through Boston, Cooke has the ability to stretch the defense, hit crucial shots in tight games, and act as a playmaker when the Gamecocks need to break down opposing defenses. If she can maintain her scoring and decision-making in high-pressure moments, Cooke will be one of the key factors in South Carolina’s tournament success.

One area of improvement for Cooke in the tournament will be her ability to stay aggressive and assertive throughout the entire game. As the Gamecocks face tougher opponents in the SEC, they’ll need Cooke to step up in big moments, particularly in late-game situations where the margin for error is thin.

3. The Bench Contribution: Depth and Versatility

One of the hallmarks of South Carolina’s success under Dawn Staley is their depth and ability to get contributions from multiple players on any given night. While Boston and Cooke are undoubtedly the focal points of the offense, Staley has built a team that thrives on versatility and unselfish play. The ability for the Gamecocks to get significant contributions from players coming off the bench will be a crucial element of their success in the SEC Tournament.

Brea Beal, LeLe Grissett, and Kamilla Cardoso all have the potential to play pivotal roles in the tournament. Each of these players brings something unique to the team: Beal is an elite defender and a player who can contribute both offensively and defensively, Grissett provides scoring and hustle, and Cardoso is a formidable presence in the post who can provide a different look when Boston is off the floor.

The Gamecocks will need their bench players to step up in the SEC Tournament to keep fresh legs on the floor and to provide scoring and defense when the starters need rest. This depth will be particularly important in back-to-back games, where fatigue can become a factor. If the Gamecocks can maintain their intensity and quality of play through their bench, they will be even more difficult to beat.

In particular, the team’s guard depth will be a key point to monitor. South Carolina will need more than just Cooke to create scoring opportunities. Players like Destiny Littleton, Raven Johnson, and Sania Feagin can provide valuable minutes and potentially be game-changers off the bench.

4. South Carolina’s Defense: Pressure and Transition Play

One of the primary reasons for South Carolina’s sustained success over the years has been their elite defense. Under Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks have become known for their suffocating full-court press, tenacious on-ball defense, and ability to create turnovers that lead to easy transition opportunities.

In the SEC Tournament, South Carolina’s defense will be even more important. Defensive intensity will be crucial against a competitive field that includes high-scoring teams like LSU and Tennessee. South Carolina’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses, force turnovers, and capitalize on transition opportunities will set the tone for the entire tournament.

In particular, the Gamecocks will need to focus on limiting the scoring opportunities of the top SEC guards. Teams like LSU have explosive players capable of scoring in bunches, and stopping those players will require the Gamecocks’ defenders to stay disciplined and locked in.

South Carolina’s defense has the ability to turn defense into offense, and this will be particularly important in the high-pressure environment of the SEC Tournament. Transition play is often what separates good teams from great ones in March, and the Gamecocks’ ability to score easy points off turnovers could be the difference between advancing to the championship game or heading home early.

5. Postseason Experience and Coaching

Finally, Dawn Staley’s leadership and the Gamecocks’ experience in high-pressure postseason play will play a crucial role in their success in the SEC Tournament. Staley has led South Carolina to several Final Fours and national championships, and her ability to guide her team through the ups and downs of a grueling tournament will be invaluable.

The Gamecocks have been in this situation before, and their experience on the big stage will give them an edge over many of their competitors. South Carolina’s players know what it takes to win in March, and that type of postseason experience can be a difference-maker when the pressure is at its highest.

Staley is a master tactician, and her ability to adjust her game plans to exploit opponents’ weaknesses will be critical. Whether it’s changing defensive schemes, managing player rotations, or getting the most out of her bench players, Staley’s leadership will be vital to South Carolina’s success in the tournament.

 A Road to the Title

As South Carolina enters the 2025 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament, they are positioned as one of the top teams in the field. However, the path to the championship won’t be easy, and the Gamecocks will have to overcome stiff competition, particularly from SEC powerhouses like LSU, Tennessee, and Mississippi State.

For South Carolina, the key to success will be the performances of Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke, and their depth across the roster. If the Gamecocks can maintain their defensive intensity, get contributions from their bench, and take advantage of their postseason experience, they should be able to navigate the SEC Tournament and emerge as champions once again.

With everything on the line, this will be a thrilling run for the Gamecocks, and the stakes couldn’t be higher as they look to add another SEC title to their storied program.