The 2025 NCAA Division I girls’s basketball nationwide championship might be a revenge sport.
And you’ll decide your most popular taste of revenge. It’s a rematch of the 2022 nationwide championship sport, when South Carolina captured this system’s second nationwide title over UConn, 64-49. Or, it’s a rematch of the Feb. 16 sport in Columbia, when the Huskies snapped the Gamecocks’ 71-game residence profitable streak in dominant style, 87-58.
For our functions right here, we’ll emphasize the latter state of affairs in preparation for Sunday afternoon’s championship showdown (3 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) between the No. 1-seed South Carolina Gamecocks and No. 2-seed UConn Huskies, specializing in what the Gamecocks should don’t solely to avenge their streak-snapping loss but in addition to drag off a Husky-esque feat of profitable a back-to-back and third-in-four-seasons nationwide championship.
Right here’s a have a look at how the Gamecocks stack up towards the Huskies on either side on ball on Sunday:
Protection: Fixing the Paige downside
When UConn invaded Colonial Life Area in February and stomped out South Carolina’s residence profitable streak, Paige Bueckers scored 12 factors on 12 shot makes an attempt, a 3-for-12 capturing efficiency nicely under her high-efficiency customary. But, she was one of the best participant on the ground, the engine who unlocked a sizzling capturing and excessive scoring afternoon for the Huskies. She had 10 assists, organising her teammates for open 3s and straightforward layups.
To make Bueckers a playmaker or a scorer? That’s the unenviable query dealing with head coach Daybreak Staley and her workers. Playmaker Paige sliced and diced the Gamecocks in February. Scorer Paige has spurred the Huskies’ dominant NCAA Match run. Count on Staley to go for each and neither, throwing totally different appears at Bueckers in effort to stop her from establishing a consolation zone.
Whereas that’s (a lot) simpler mentioned than accomplished, Staley has the gamers up for the duty, headlined by Raven Johnson. Only one yr in the past, Johnson made the signature play of the nationwide championship sport, hounding Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, selecting her pocket and sprinting away for a layup. Johnson, a two-time nationwide champion in search of her third, might be undaunted by dealing with a well-liked participant on the largest stage.
Bree Corridor, one other top-notch defender who can also win her third nationwide title on Sunday, also can assume the problem, whereas Sania Feagin, the third Gamecock who can add a 3rd title to her resume, will doubtless be answerable for tussling with Bueckers’ precocious publish accomplice, Sarah Robust.
These three multi-time champs are the gamers Staley believes deserve extra shine and celebration for his or her accomplishments, which she emphasised throughout Saturday’s press convention, saying, “[W]e are inclined to overlook the narrative about what our children have been in a position to do, going for his or her third in 4 years,” contrasting the mainstream protection South Carolina has (or has not) obtained to that of Bueckers and the UConn, as their title quest has develop into the game’s central narrative. Staley confused that the highlight is vivid sufficient for all gamers and groups.
Do the gritty, unglamorous work of locking down the high-flying Huskies and Johnson, Corridor, Feagin and the remainder of the Gamecocks might be basking within the glare of glory, their greatness unable to be ignored.
The @GamecockWBB senior class will play of their third nationwide championship in 4 years. Made the Last 4 yearly.
I requested Daybreak Staley about their greatness as a category:
“The greatness of this senior class shouldn’t be talked about sufficient nationally.” pic.twitter.com/mkyMnc5Lak
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) April 5, 2025
Offense: Discovering the firepower
Of their Last 4 sport towards Texas on Friday, Staley typically had South Carolina’s publish gamers provoke their offense, with Feagin and Joyce Edwards aggressively attacking Texas’ bigs in isolation. It was a sensible technique that successfully focused a weak level of the elite Longhorn protection, exploiting gamers who’re uncomfortable away from the basket with the athleticism and agility of Feagin and Edwards.
What does Staley have up her (Louis Vuitton or Gucci) sleeves towards the Huskies? Most probably one thing totally different, because the small-ball Huskies, anchored by a cell Robust, are much less prone to be concerned by offensive actions that use South Carolina’s bigs as major creators.
However one thing that must be the identical is Te-Hina Paopao’s aggression from behind the arc. She was 3-for-4 from deep within the Last 4 and she or he fired them off with no hesitation, with the swiftness of her 3-point shot makes an attempt being nearly necessary as whether or not she made or missed. Paopao capturing shortly will maintain a defender by her facet, thus opening extra space within the offensive halfcourt for her teammates. Or, she’s going to demand a rushed shut out when she receives a move, which she will be able to make the most of with a drive to the basket, a talent she has improved upon in her closing season in a South Carolina jersey. Her capturing and scoring potential, mixed with the ever-confident shotmaking of MiLaysia Fulwiley, are musts for the Gamecock offense, whatever the different strategic wrinkles Staley is bound to implement.
South Carolina’s offense has waxed and waned over the course of the season, in addition to via the NCAA Match. But, when firing on all cylinders, the Gamecocks’ athleticism, talent, audacity and energy can overwhelm essentially the most disciplined defenses—even UConn’s. Contemplating the expertise and motivation of the Huskies, it might appear unwise to imagine that the Gamecocks can discover that gear constantly sufficient on Sunday. But, it appears equally loopy to assume that they gained’t.
A way, in some way South Carolina does what must be accomplished to win video games. That’s greatness. And it count on to see them present it on Sunday afternoon.
