Prior to Selection Sunday, the South Carolina WBB drops to the second seed in the final NCAA rankings.

The South Carolina Women’s Basketball Team Drops to the Second Seed in the Final NCAA Rankings Before Selection Sunday

As the final week of the regular season nears its close, the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team, previously ranked No. 1 in the nation, experienced a seismic shift in their position as they dropped to the second seed in the final NCAA rankings before Selection Sunday. This development has raised numerous questions and generated significant conversation among analysts, fans, and basketball aficionados alike. What does this drop mean for South Carolina’s national title aspirations, and how did this shift come about? To answer these questions, we need to take a closer look at the circumstances surrounding the drop, the dynamics of the current NCAA women’s basketball landscape, and what lies ahead for the Gamecocks as they enter the postseason.

The Rise of South Carolina

Under the leadership of head coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina has become a powerhouse in women’s college basketball. Staley, a former Olympic gold medalist and a two-time national champion as a player, has transformed the Gamecocks into one of the most dominant programs in the country. By the 2023-2024 season, South Carolina had already established itself as a favorite for the NCAA tournament, thanks to a stellar roster that included superstars like Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke, and Laeticia Amihere.

Boston, who had already earned multiple accolades, was widely regarded as the best player in the country, and her presence inside made the Gamecocks a force to be reckoned with. On top of this, South Carolina’s defense was among the best in the country, and their depth ensured that they could compete with the nation’s best teams across all areas of the game. The team had built a reputation for dominating opponents through suffocating defense, efficient offense, and relentless rebounding.

As a result, when the 2023-2024 season began, South Carolina was immediately considered the team to beat. Their performances throughout the non-conference schedule, including a commanding win over UConn, solidified their standing as the top team in the nation, and they held onto the No. 1 ranking for much of the season.

The Factors Behind the Drop

Despite South Carolina’s continued success throughout the majority of the season, the final NCAA rankings saw them drop to the second seed. This change came just before the selection of the NCAA Tournament field and raised eyebrows across the college basketball world. So what were the key factors behind this drop?

1. The Rise of the Iowa Hawkeyes: Perhaps the most significant factor in South Carolina’s drop is the meteoric rise of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Led by the transcendent play of Caitlin Clark, who has firmly established herself as one of the best players in NCAA women’s basketball history, Iowa’s performance this season has been nothing short of exceptional. Clark, who is capable of scoring from anywhere on the court, has single-handedly carried her team to numerous victories and has broken records with her play. Iowa’s offense, which ranks among the best in the nation, has been nearly unstoppable this season, and their win over Indiana in the Big Ten Championship boosted their resume significantly.

   In the final rankings, Iowa’s strength of schedule and impressive victories over top-ranked teams made them a strong contender for the No. 1 spot. As a result, South Carolina, despite their own excellence, was overtaken by the Hawkeyes, who were considered by many to be the most complete offensive team in the country.

2. South Carolina’s Struggles in the SEC Tournament: Another contributing factor to South Carolina’s drop was their performance in the SEC Tournament. While the Gamecocks did make it to the championship game, they faced stiff competition from teams like Tennessee and LSU. Although South Carolina didn’t necessarily suffer a major upset, their struggles in the SEC tournament showcased some vulnerabilities. The team, which had previously been nearly flawless throughout the season, was tested more than expected, particularly by a highly competitive LSU squad, which ultimately ended up clinching the SEC Tournament title.

   The SEC tournament’s results raised questions about South Carolina’s consistency, particularly in close, high-pressure games. While they are still a favorite to win the national championship, the slight cracks in their armor were enough to cause a shift in the rankings.

3. Strength of Schedule and Quality Wins: A key component in the NCAA Tournament selection and seeding process is the strength of schedule, and here, too, South Carolina found itself on the back foot. While they played a challenging non-conference schedule and navigated a tough SEC, some of their biggest wins came against teams that didn’t perform as well as expected by the end of the season. For example, their dominant early-season win against UConn, once considered a marquee victory, lost some of its luster as the Huskies struggled with injuries and were inconsistent throughout the year. Meanwhile, teams like Iowa, with their continued dominance in the Big Ten, benefited from a stronger finish to the season and more marquee wins.
4. The Committee’s Evaluation of Overall Balance: While South Carolina’s defense remains among the best in the nation, there have been occasional concerns about their offensive consistency in high-stakes games. Teams like Iowa, who have demonstrated a more potent offensive game, and teams like Stanford and LSU, which have solidified themselves as contenders, have been able to keep pace with South Carolina. In particular, Iowa’s high-powered offense, driven by Clark’s dynamic play, became a major talking point among analysts, with many arguing that their overall balance of offense and defense gave them a slight edge over South Carolina, who, despite their strengths, lacked that same level of offensive firepower in comparison.

What This Means for South Carolina’s NCAA Tournament Outlook

Despite this drop in the rankings, it’s important to remember that South Carolina remains a formidable force in women’s college basketball. Their loss of the No. 1 seed in the final rankings doesn’t mean that they aren’t still among the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament.

1. A Strong Defense Remains Their Foundation: South Carolina’s defense is still the most reliable aspect of their game. Led by head coach Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks pride themselves on their ability to suffocate opposing offenses. Their aggressive man-to-man defense and rebounding prowess will remain crucial as they move into the postseason. As the tournament approaches, a team that is built on a foundation of elite defense can often ride that strength deep into March Madness, where every possession counts.
2. Depth and Experience: The Gamecocks also benefit from a deep roster with championship experience. Many of their key players, including Zia Cooke and Aliyah Boston, have been in high-pressure postseason games before and know how to navigate the ups and downs of tournament play. That experience will serve them well, as tournament games are often decided by which teams can maintain composure and execute under pressure.
3. Potential for a Deep Run: The drop to the second seed might actually give South Carolina a more favorable path through the tournament, depending on the bracket. As the second seed, they may avoid having to face the toughest teams, such as Iowa, until later rounds. This could allow them to fine-tune their game in the earlier stages before facing their biggest challenges.
4. A Motivating Factor: Being dropped to the second seed may serve as extra motivation for the Gamecocks. Coach Staley’s leadership has always been about using adversity to fuel success. South Carolina players will likely use this slight as a driving force, with a chip on their shoulder to prove that they deserve to be the No. 1 team in the country.