The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team is setting the stage for a thrilling NCAA Tournament as they prepare to defend their national championship title against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 4 p.m. EDT. The matchup will unfold at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, marking another significant event in the realm of women's basketball.
This year, South Carolina enters the tournament as the top seed in their region for the fourth consecutive season. Under the leadership of legendary coach Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks look to lift the championship trophy again following their remarkable undefeated run in 2024. The team boasts an impressive 30-3 record this season, solidifying its status as a powerhouse in women’s college basketball.
In the SEC Tournament leading up to the NCAA showdown, South Carolina displayed sheer dominance. They defeated Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, and Texas with an average victory margin of 19.3 points—a clear testament to their prowess on the court. The Gamecocks' formidable defense allows just 57.8 points per game, showcasing their strategic advantage as they gear up to defend their crown.
Star forward Joyce Edwards leads South Carolina with an average of 13.2 points per game, complemented by MiLaysia Fulwiley, who adds another 12 points per game. Interestingly, both players come off the bench, contributing to the team’s distinction of leading the nation in bench scoring with 41.5 points per game. "We were talking about it the other day. It was like just making history would be like wonderful," said forward Senia Feagin. "We made history before. We can continue to make history," she remarked, emphasizing the team's ambitions for continued success.
As the Gamecocks step onto the court, the expectations are sky-high. Coach Dawn Staley is acutely aware of the stakes, observing, "I think we created a legacy already, whether we win this one or not. I think it’s going to go down in history as our team, our program has done things that programs haven’t done in a very long time during the most competitive... this is the most competitive that women’s basketball has been in a long time." Her perspective reflects the understanding that the Gamecocks have set a standard that may not be matched easily.
However, the road to a repeat championship is fraught with challenges, including overcoming Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles (26-5), champions of the Ohio Valley Conference, will embody the underdog spirit as they look to make history. Only one No. 16 seed has succeeded in defeating a No. 1 seed in NCAA Women’s Tournament history—Harvard’s stunning upset of Stanford in 1998. Tennessee Tech aims to change that narrative this year.
The Golden Eagles feature a balanced attack with four players averaging double figures in scoring, including leading scorer Reghan Grimes at 12.9 points per game. Their other key contributors include Keeley Carter (12.3), Chloe Larry (11.7), and Peyton Carter (11.5). This balanced offensive strategy could offer a unique challenge for South Carolina, known for their strong defensive play.
As the teams get ready to face off, sports analysts will be keen to see just how the Gamecocks perform under pressure against an inspired Tennessee Tech team. With betting odds reflecting South Carolina as a staggering 43.5-point favorite, expectations are high but the unpredictability of March Madness always looms large.
Amongst the predictions, various media outlets foresee a winning score of around 90-44 in favor of South Carolina, emphasizing their dominance this season. Those betting on the outcome will place their stakes on FanDuel and DraftKings, both of which favor the Gamecocks to win it all, boasting odds of +230 and +240 respectively.
The winner of the South Carolina versus Tennessee Tech game will advance to face the victor of the matchup between Utah and Indiana on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
As tournament excitement buzzes in the air, the Gamecocks stand not just on the brink of another championship run, but as a symbol of the fierce competition and deep-seated ambition that characterize women’s basketball today. Their journey will be closely watched as they attempt to etch their name further into NCAA history, building on the legacy that Coach Dawn Staley has so expertly nurtured. Will they continue their reign at the top? Or will Tennessee Tech upset the odds and deliver a historic blow? Only time will tell as the tournament unfolds in the coming weeks.
