Dawn Staley of South Carolina basketball nearly switched the starting lineup. This is the reason she didn’t

In the high-pressure world of NCAA basketball, especially at a program like South Carolina, coaching decisions can be the difference between a victory and a loss. And within that arena, the choice of a starting lineup often carries immense weight. For head coach Dawn Staley, one of the most successful and respected figures in women’s college basketball, decisions surrounding her team’s lineup are not made lightly. Every player, every role, and every potential change must be considered carefully.

Recently, Staley faced a pivotal decision regarding her starting lineup—a decision that could have altered the trajectory of the South Carolina Gamecocks’ season. For a moment, she considered making a significant change to the lineup, potentially disrupting the familiar rhythm her team had established. However, Staley ultimately decided against it. In this article, we’ll explore the thought process behind that decision and why Staley chose to keep things the same, despite the pressure to mix things up.

The Situation Leading to the Potential Change

To understand the reasoning behind Staley’s decision to keep her starting lineup intact, we need to examine the context in which this dilemma arose. South Carolina, as one of the premier programs in women’s college basketball, has high expectations every season. The Gamecocks consistently find themselves in national title contention, and with that comes the responsibility of not just performing, but performing at an elite level.

Throughout the 2024-2025 season, South Carolina had encountered its fair share of challenges, including injuries, inconsistent performances, and the usual pressures of playing in the competitive SEC. Despite having a roster filled with highly talented players, Staley knew that the key to maintaining their dominant status was to fine-tune their rotations and ensure that the team’s chemistry remained strong.

Staley’s team had been dealing with some early struggles in terms of execution—while their talent was undeniable, the team wasn’t yet playing with the kind of synergy that they would need to compete for a championship. And when a program like South Carolina falters in a game or two, questions naturally arise, especially from fans and the media about whether changes are necessary. That pressure mounted, and it was during this period of uncertainty that Staley began to consider whether switching the starting lineup could provide the necessary spark.

The Players Involved

Dawn Staley’s decision about her starting lineup revolved around key players who were integral to South Carolina’s success. Aliyah Boston, the powerhouse forward who has been the face of the program for years, was of course a fixture in the lineup. Boston’s skills—her rebounding, scoring, and defense—were essential to the team’s identity. But the dynamic around her had shifted somewhat as younger players, like Camilla Cardoso and Zia Cooke, began to emerge as key contributors.

Cardoso, a highly talented transfer from Syracuse, brought a unique skill set to the Gamecocks, especially in terms of height, rim protection, and scoring potential. She had proven to be a dynamic force off the bench, but Staley was weighing whether her size and abilities would better serve the team in a starting role, especially against some of the tougher teams in the SEC.

Similarly, Zia Cooke had been one of the team’s primary offensive weapons for years. Her scoring ability and leadership on the court were irreplaceable, but her efficiency and consistency had fluctuated at times. Staley was faced with the question of whether a shake-up in the lineup might allow her to perform at an even higher level, or whether it could disrupt the rhythm that Cooke had developed with the team.

As Staley looked at the players around her, the decision to keep or change the starting lineup came down to understanding how these key figures could continue to complement each other. Staley knew the potential of each player and the combination they could form, but at the same time, she had to weigh whether this was the right moment for change.

The Pressure of Perfection

When you coach at a program like South Carolina, the pressure to succeed is constant. The expectations are always sky-high, and every move made on the court is under a microscope. In the fast-paced world of college basketball, teams can often be one game away from crisis or one victory away from a turnaround. South Carolina, a team that had consistently made deep NCAA tournament runs, was facing heightened expectations for yet another successful season.

Staley, who has built a program known for its defensive intensity, team-oriented offense, and mental toughness, felt the weight of these expectations. While she has built a legacy of success, she also knew that the competitive nature of college basketball meant that even a minor setback could be magnified. This pressure to perform, combined with the need to keep a sense of stability within the team, created a unique challenge when it came to her lineup.

The thought of making a change wasn’t about a single bad performance or one game that didn’t go as planned. It was about adjusting in the right way to build momentum for the rest of the season. Staley knew the importance of finding the balance between pushing players to improve while maintaining the trust and chemistry that had brought the program to its current level.

The Decision-Making Process

Dawn Staley’s decision to keep the starting lineup the same was not made lightly. In fact, she spent considerable time reflecting on the dynamics of the team, weighing the pros and cons of change, and seeking input from her staff and players. Staley’s decision-making process is often grounded in her commitment to long-term success rather than short-term fixes.

One of the primary factors that influenced Staley’s decision was the recognition that the team’s issues weren’t rooted in individual talent or mismatched lineups; they were about learning how to play together and adjusting to the unique strengths and weaknesses of the roster. Despite some early inconsistency, Staley believed the players needed time to work through these challenges together, rather than disrupting the flow of the team with a major lineup change.

Moreover, Staley has always been a coach who values trust and relationships. She has built a strong rapport with her players and believes that consistent communication and a sense of stability within the lineup can lead to better overall team development. By keeping the same starting five, Staley was sending a message to her team that they had her confidence—that they could work through the tough moments together without relying on drastic changes. This approach speaks to Staley’s philosophy of long-term growth, which has proven successful over her career.

Additionally, Staley knew that switching up the lineup could potentially disrupt the natural rhythm of the team, particularly in crucial areas like defense, ball movement, and scoring. Basketball is as much about chemistry and understanding as it is about individual talent, and Staley did not want to throw that off at a critical juncture of the season.

The Importance of Player Development

Another key reason Staley decided against making a lineup change was her commitment to player development. Dawn Staley is known for her ability to help her players improve over the course of a season. She recognizes that not every player will hit their peak at the start of the year, and part of her success has been her ability to coach players into their best form as the season progresses.

Rather than shaking things up, Staley placed her trust in her players to develop and grow. This involved encouraging certain players to embrace their roles, work on their weaknesses, and understand the importance of team chemistry. For example, Zia Cooke, while highly talented, had to work through periods of inconsistency. Rather than being benched or having her role reduced, Cooke was given the opportunity to play through those struggles. This faith in her development was a testament to Staley’s coaching philosophy, which emphasizes the value of growth and development over immediate rewards.

Similarly, players like Cardoso, who had shown great promise but had not yet fully adapted to the intensity of the starting lineup, were allowed to continue their progress off the bench. Staley understood that forcing changes too quickly could stunt their development, and she opted to remain patient and allow the players to evolve naturally.

Maintaining Team Morale

A key aspect of coaching at the highest level is managing not just the X’s and O’s but the mental and emotional well-being of the players. Staley understood that making a sudden change to the starting lineup could have a detrimental effect on team morale. Basketball, at its core, is a team sport, and morale and confidence can often be fragile. The players needed to feel like they were trusted and that the work they had put in during practices and games would eventually pay off.

Making a change to the starting lineup could send the wrong message to players who had been working hard, and it could create divisions within the team. Staley didn’t want players to feel like their hard work was being disregarded or that they were being punished for mistakes made in previous games. Instead, she chose to keep the same group of players, believing that the team would pull through their struggles by staying united.

Looking Ahead

While Staley didn’t make a change to the starting lineup at that time, it is likely that she remains open to adjustments as the season progresses. Basketball is a dynamic sport, and Staley has never been one to shy away from making decisions when necessary. However, she is also aware that the right decision is not always the one that brings immediate results, but rather the one that aligns with her long-term vision for the team.

As South Carolina continues through the season, Staley will undoubtedly evaluate her players’ performances and adjust the lineup as needed. But the decision to stay the course and not make a change at that critical juncture speaks volumes about her coaching philosophy. Dawn Staley has built a program that thrives on trust, development, and team chemistry, and this decision reflects her belief that sustainable success requires patience and the ability to work through challenges.