The South Carolina Gamecocks are back in the Final Four, chasing their second straight national championship in their third title in four years. as the number one seed in the Birmingham Regional, Don Staley's squad has proven their dominance throughout the Tournament, overcoming every challenge thrown their way.
Gamecocks' road to the Final Four
South Carolina's tournament run has been impressive, with dominate wins and a few nail-biter matchups.
Round of 64: Defeated No. 16 Tennessee Tech, 108-48
Round of 32: Defeated No. 9 Indiana, 64-53
Sweet 16: Defeated No. 4 Maryland, 71-67
Elite Eight: Defeated No. 2 Duke, 54-50
Final Four Matchup: vs. Texas, Friday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
With yet another matchup against Texas on Friday, the Gamecocks are preparing for this battle on the sport's biggest stage thus far.
Why the Gamecocks can win it all
Unlike some of the other Final Four teams that rely on one single playmaker, the Gamecocks have an arsenal at their disposal on the roster. South Carolina doesn't just have one go-to scorer, they have multiple weapons who can step in and step up at any moment.
MiLaysia Fulwiley has been a game-changer this season, providing the plays when South Carolina needed it most. Her dynamic energy fueled the Gamecocks' Sweet 16 win over Maryland.
Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin have controlled the paint, helping the Gamecocks secure the win over Duke in a defensive battle.
Freshman Joyce Edwards has been instrumental this season, leading the team in scoring (12.7 PPG), with Fulwiley close behind (11.9 PPG). Both come off the bench, proving that South Carolina’s second unit is stronger than many teams’ starting lineup.
Tessa Johnson, who was a key player in last year's championship win over Iowa, brings valuable experience to the team.
Head coach Dawn Staley's strategy this season has been to wear down their opponents with depth, aggressive defense, and the ability to adjust.
What stands in the Gamecocks way?
Despite that depth and their versitility, no team is invincible in the tournament. The biggest challenge for South Carolina is finding rhythm and staying consistent in tough matchups. While they dominated Tennessee Tech and Indiana, the Gamecocks had to pull out all stops to beat Mayland and Duke. Several opponents have tested their ability to execute plays under pressure, and Texas is familiar with South Carolina's style of play.
However, with South Carolina coming into the Final Four with a championship pedigree, experienced coaching staff, and a roster stacked with talent, the Gamecocks are well-positioned to complete the mission at hand, bringing another national championship back to Columbia.
Can South Carolina finish the job? We will find out Friday night as they take on Texas in the Final Four.