Selection Sunday: An analysis of the NCAA Tournament’s opening round for the women’s teams from Georgia, Clemson, and South Carolina.

As Selection Sunday arrived, excitement and anticipation surged through college basketball fans and players alike. With the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament bracket officially unveiled, the path to the national championship became clearer for the 64 teams selected. Among those teams are three powerhouse programs in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC): the Georgia Bulldogs, Clemson Tigers, and South Carolina Gamecocks.

Each of these programs comes into the tournament with its unique set of strengths, challenges, and hopes for a deep run into March Madness. From Georgia’s veteran leadership to Clemson’s youthful energy and South Carolina’s quest to defend its crown, the opening round presents intriguing matchups that will set the tone for the rest of the tournament.

This analysis will break down the opening-round matchups for these three teams, evaluating their chances of advancing further in the tournament and what factors will influence their success. With both experienced rosters and fresh faces, these teams have distinct styles of play, and each will need to deliver on its strengths to survive and thrive in the NCAA Tournament.

South Carolina Gamecocks: Defending Champions and Tournament Favorites

The South Carolina Gamecocks enter the 2025 NCAA Tournament as one of the favorites to claim the national championship for the second year in a row. After a dominant run in 2024, where they captured their second NCAA title in school history, head coach Dawn Staley’s squad has reloaded and looks poised to repeat. With an elite roster featuring some of the top talent in women’s college basketball, the Gamecocks are in prime position to make another deep run.

In the opening round, South Carolina will face a relatively lower-seeded team, which should present them with an opportunity to showcase their dominance early. As the number one seed in their region, the Gamecocks are expected to handle the first-round opponent with relative ease. But despite the disparity in seeding, it’s essential to break down the Gamecocks’ approach and how they can carry their momentum into the deeper rounds.

Key Players and Strengths South Carolina’s success begins with its roster, which boasts some of the best players in the country. Aliyah Boston, a former National Player of the Year, remains one of the most formidable forces in women’s basketball. The senior forward has established herself as a dominant presence in the paint, and her ability to score, rebound, and block shots makes her a matchup nightmare for any opponent. With Boston leading the charge, the Gamecocks also feature a strong supporting cast, including Zia Cooke, an explosive guard with the ability to light up the scoreboard, and Laeticia Amihere, a versatile forward who contributes on both ends of the floor.

South Carolina’s defense has also been a key to its success, with the team consistently ranked among the best in the nation in defensive efficiency. The Gamecocks are known for their tenacious, aggressive defense, and their length and athleticism make it difficult for opponents to execute their offense. This, combined with their high-powered offense, makes them one of the most well-rounded teams in the country.

Keys to Success in the Opening Round South Carolina’s opening-round matchup is one where the Gamecocks are expected to dominate. However, there are key factors that will determine how they perform and whether they can maintain their rhythm heading into the later rounds of the tournament:

• Defensive Dominance: South Carolina’s defense is its calling card, and it will be important for the Gamecocks to continue to impose their will early on. If they can disrupt their opponent’s offensive flow and force turnovers, they will set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
• Depth and Balanced Scoring: While Boston and Cooke will likely carry much of the scoring load, the Gamecocks must continue to get contributions from other players such as Amihere, Brea Beal, and others. Ensuring that they have a balanced offensive attack will make it harder for opponents to focus solely on Boston or Cooke.
• Composure and Execution: The pressure to repeat as champions can be overwhelming, but South Carolina has been in this position before. Maintaining composure and sticking to their game plan will be crucial to avoid any early-round upsets.

Georgia Bulldogs: Veteran Leadership and Playoff Aspirations

The Georgia Bulldogs have had a solid season under head coach Joni Taylor, and they come into the NCAA Tournament with a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent. As a 6-seed, Georgia will be favored in their opening-round matchup, but they will have to bring their best basketball to advance further into the tournament.

Georgia’s offense is powered by a trio of standout players: seniors Chloe Chapman and Jenna Staiti, alongside sophomore Sarah Ashlee Barker. Staiti, a skilled post player, has been a dominant force in the paint, while Chapman and Barker have been key contributors in the backcourt. The Bulldogs’ balance of experience and youth could serve them well as they look to make a deep run.

Key Players and Strengths Chloe Chapman is one of the most dynamic players in the SEC, with the ability to score in a variety of ways. Her ability to drive to the basket and shoot from the perimeter gives Georgia a versatile offensive attack. Staiti, as a dominant presence in the paint, provides the Bulldogs with a reliable post option. And with Barker’s playmaking abilities, Georgia can create mismatches and keep defenses on their toes.

Georgia has also been known for its strong defensive play, a hallmark of Joni Taylor’s teams. The Bulldogs are tough, gritty, and unafraid to lock down their opponents, especially when it matters most. This defense-first mentality will be key in the tournament as they face teams with high-powered offenses.

Keys to Success in the Opening Round Georgia’s opening-round game will be an important test for the Bulldogs as they attempt to set the tone for their tournament run. Several factors will determine their chances of success:

• Post Play Dominance: With Staiti’s presence in the paint, Georgia will need to assert control inside, both offensively and defensively. A strong performance from Staiti and the ability to dominate the glass will be critical for Georgia’s success.
• Guard Play and Ball Movement: The Bulldogs’ backcourt, led by Chapman and Barker, must create opportunities for their teammates and limit turnovers. Efficient ball movement will allow them to break down defenses and generate good scoring chances.
• Defensive Effort: As a team that thrives on defense, Georgia must make sure that they can lock down their opponents. Whether it’s limiting second-chance opportunities or forcing turnovers, Georgia’s defense will need to rise to the occasion to advance through the tournament.

Clemson Tigers: A Rising Program with Momentum

Clemson has quietly built a strong women’s basketball program under head coach Amanda Butler. With the Tigers making their first NCAA Tournament appearance in several years, the 2025 tournament represents an exciting new chapter in Clemson’s history. As a 10-seed, Clemson enters the tournament with a good amount of momentum, having played well down the stretch to secure their spot.

Clemson is led by junior forward Amari Robinson, one of the most skilled players in the ACC. Robinson’s scoring ability, coupled with her rebounding and defensive prowess, makes her a key player for the Tigers. In addition to Robinson, Clemson has a balanced roster that includes solid contributions from multiple players. The team is known for its fast-paced offense and efficient ball movement, and they will need to rely on this style to keep up with higher-seeded teams in the tournament.

Key Players and Strengths Amari Robinson’s leadership will be critical in the tournament, as she has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Alongside Robinson, Clemson will need contributions from guard Carly White, who can stretch the floor and create scoring opportunities, and post player Jasmine Carter, who provides a steady presence in the paint.

Clemson’s fast-paced, high-scoring offense has been one of its strengths throughout the season, and this will be key for the Tigers in the tournament. Their ability to score quickly in transition and capitalize on fast-break opportunities could give them a competitive edge against teams that are not accustomed to their up-tempo style of play.

Keys to Success in the Opening Round Clemson’s opening-round game is an important opportunity for the Tigers to prove they belong on the national stage. The following elements will be crucial to their success:

• Tempo Control: Clemson thrives in transition, and they must dictate the pace of the game. If they can get out on the break and force their opponent to play at their tempo, they will have a distinct advantage.
• Defensive Stability: While offense is a strength for Clemson, their defense will need to step up in the tournament. Limiting opponent scoring and securing key rebounds will be critical, especially in tight games.
• Balanced Scoring: While Robinson is the star, Clemson needs contributions from other players. A balanced offensive attack that doesn’t rely too heavily on one player will help Clemson stay unpredictable and tough to defend.