South Carolina didn't walk out of Sin City with the trophy, but they absolutely walked out with pride. The No. 2 Gamecocks took the No. 4 Texas to the wire on Thanksgiving in the Players Era Championship title game, falling 66-64 after a last second shot. Texas left Las Vegas 2-0 with wins over No. 3 UCLA and No. 2 South Carolina despite being shorthanded. But the Gamecocks gained something valuable in November: proof that this group is built to contend deep into March.
Madina Okot made a statement on the court...again. The 6-foot-6 center has recorded four straight double-doubles, including a career-high 23 points and 13 rebounds in South Carolina’s 83-66 victory over Duke. She followed that up with 12 points and 11 boards against Texas, battling veteran players yet never fading.
Her teammate and Gamecock star Joyce Edwards didn't mince words about Okot either. "We all know Madina is a great player," Edwards said. "We knew coming in she was going to be a star. I feel like she's finally coming into her true self. She's dominant in the paint. Hard to stop her. She's very mobile. Great overall player. Now you're seeing it."
South Carolina may have lost the matchup, but the squad gained clarity. Their depth travels well. The freshmen class is already ahead of schedule. Okot is tracking towards stardom. And Edwards remains a force with leadership instincts well beyond her age.
The Gamecocks went toe-to-toe with a seasoned Texas team playing possibly some of its best basketball of the season.