South Carolina Basketball: 3 thumbs up, 3 thumbs down from Gamecocks' SEC Championship-clinching win over Alabama

South Carolina Basketball vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Thumbs Up 1: Sustained Dominance

Carolina's 8th SEC title in 11 years was clinched on the same night as Dawn Staley's 600th career win. It also marked the program's 97th win in their last 100 games, one of the best ever.

What Coach Staley has built in Columbia is the third-best run in NCAA women's basketball history (behind the UConn dynasty and the Pat Summitt-led Tennessee Volunteers), and the Gamecocks don't show any signs of slowing down their assault on the all-time record books.

South Carolina Basketball vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Thumbs Up 2: Defense, Defense, Defense

The first half against Alabama was one of the Gamecocks' best efforts on defense all season. The Crimson Tide shot 15.6% from the field and didn't make a single shot from the perimeter. 'Bama scored 30 points fewer than their season average.

Virtually every player on the roster had really nice moments on defense. Carolina locked down every inch of the floor until they began coasting a bit in the 2nd half.

Sakima Walker had arguably the best 20-second stretch of defense in the game, blocking two shots, forcing a bad pass, and then getting an on-ball steal all on one possession.

South Carolina Basketball vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Thumbs Up 3: Bench Production

In one of the most absurd stat lines that you will ever see, South Carolina basketball's bench outscored Alabama's bench 31-0 for the game.

Tessa Johnson had an efficient 12 points while Sania Feagin tallied 10 points and 7 rebounds, and MiLaysia Fulwiley chipped in an additional 9 points. The two guards played really well on defense, and post player Sakima Walker swatted 3 shots in just 18 minutes. Johnson played so well that Raven Johnson was able to play just 18 minutes.

Despite having just 9 available players, the Gamecocks only had one player on the court for more than 30 minutes (Te-Hina Paopao).