Despite popular belief, the South Carolina Gamecocks aren't immune to loss. Nobody proved that more accurately than the UConn Huskies when they demolished the Gamecocks in the 2025 National Championship game.
However, despite the brutal result, South Carolina fans were able to avoid complete crashouts by admitting just how good the Connecticut team was, especially all-star senior Paige Bueckers.
South Carolina getting smoked but seeing Paige Buecker on her way to winning a ring pic.twitter.com/qLvPaLGkF9
— Everybody Kinda Hates Chris… 🦅🦅🦅 (@SoLaidBack_) April 6, 2025
Even the Gamecocks' head coach, Dawn Staley, showed her frustration throughout the matchup as her team struggled to do anything on the offensive end of the court, falling 23 points short of the Huskies' total. Repeatedly, the camera panned to Staley as she expressed her frustrations, both physically and verbally.
The camera operator to Dawn Staley every time something bad happens to South Carolina pic.twitter.com/3DBjcoZLKb
— Wilnir Louis (@LouisWilnir) April 6, 2025
Right alongside Staley, South Carolina fans were crashing out as their team continuously failed to match the pace of the UConn squad.
South Carolina fans rn: pic.twitter.com/1V9b8LUj9O
— P. Lo Jetson (@PLoJetson) April 6, 2025
Understandably, the Gamecocks lost by nearly 30 points, having lost by the same amount to the same team just two months earlier.
South Carolina players all week : We’re a different team since they beat us by 30 in February
— John (@iam_johnw) April 6, 2025
Azzi fudd Paige Bueckers and Sarah strong to those same players for 4 quarters today : https://t.co/TEnIBjaS7T
No matter what, the Gamecocks were returning (defending) national champions, having defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes in the title game last season.
It’s a lot of South Carolina disrespect when they are RETURNING national championships. #ncaawbb #marchmadness pic.twitter.com/aldY9HRLw9
— peach (@saistarxo) April 6, 2025
The seniors from the South Carolina team had appeared in four consecutive Final Fours (2023, 2024, & 2025, winning one of the most recent National Championships (2024).
South Carolina’s seniors should leave with their heads held high. Four consecutive Final Four appearances and two national championships. Built friendships/relationships that will stand the test of time. This group had nothing to prove
— christan (no i), ß (@ChristanWNBA) April 6, 2025
Undeniably, Staley is one of the greatest college women's basketball head coaches in the history of sport. Right alongside the head coach of Connecticut, Geno Auriemma.
An incredible season.
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) April 6, 2025
An incredible team.
South Carolina will be back. pic.twitter.com/htrV78Wnby
With the win, the Huskies earned their 12th national title, the most in the nation. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks have just three national titles, all under Staley (2017, 2022, & 2024).