On Sunday in Birmingham, the Gamecocks celebrated another Final Four berth, their fifth in five years. Most everything felt like past celebrations … with two glaring exceptions. The first is this: Thirty minutes after the final buzzer sounded on South Carolina’s 54-50 win over second-seeded Duke, Staley signed a baby’s bottom, scribbling her name on a pair of white sweatpants that immediately became a one-of-a-kind collector’s item.
“That was a first,” Staley said. “My hand was shaking.”
Here’s Dawn Staley signing a baby’s bottom during South Carolina’s celebration after making the Final Four pic.twitter.com/mg3Z54sjyu
— Ben Pickman (@benpickman) March 30, 2025
The other exception to South Carolina’s winning routine is more serious: For the third consecutive game, the Gamecocks lacked the usual crispness. Against Indiana in the Round of 32 and Maryland in the Sweet 16, South Carolina trailed at halftime. Against the Terrapins and Duke, the Gamecocks trailed late in the second half, mustering every ounce of energy and focus to prevail over an inferior opponent.
Yet again, the Gamecocks seemed like they were playing with fire. Yet again, they escaped and felt the joy of victory. The Gamecocks left Legacy Arena holding onto feelings of comfort in knowing their season will continue in Tampa, Fla., the site of this year’s Final Four. But they seemingly came to another realization.
“I mean, at this point, it’s not going to look pretty. OK?” Staley said. “It’s not. There are stretches in each game that (are) not going to look pretty.”
After defeating Maryland on Friday afternoon, freshman star Joyce Edwards said she felt relief that South Carolina had advanced. On Sunday?
“The relief was more relieved,” she said. “But we’re on to the next, and that’s all that matters.”
That’s true, of course. By the end of Monday night, only four teams will remain in the NCAA Tournament. Survive and advance. Win at all costs. Throw out any March cliché you want; they likely apply to this Gamecocks team. In the locker room afterward, Staley told players she was proud of them but that the job was unfinished.
The path of this season’s South Carolina has lacked the aesthetics of past years. Last season en route to a national championship, the Gamecocks entered the Final Four undefeated with only six single-digit games in the lead-up to the national semifinal. They were anchored on both ends by star Kamilla Cardoso, a 6-foot-7 center who stifled opponent drives and bailed out stagnant offensive possessions. On this year’s team, there is no break-in-case-of-emergency fallback.
At times, sophomore guard ...
