For South Carolina’s head coach Dawn Staley, every press conference is a chance to get under the opponent’s skin, like a crafty point guard picking apart a defense. Even after her Gamecocks handed Texas a loss in their previous matchup, Staley’s mind games were far from over. With a keen eye on a rising star who had just hit a career milestone, she wasn’t about to let up, proving once again that her strategy isn’t just physical—it’s psychological.

In a recent press conference, Staley didn’t mince her words about Madison Booker’s performance: “No, bad game, she played a bad game. What’s the approach with that? Same, I mean, you got to make her uncomfortable. You got to get her to think about maybe second-guessing some shots, but she really doesn’t.”

It was a sharp critique of a player who had just crossed the 1,000-point threshold for Texas in just 60 games—a remarkable feat for any player. Despite her achievements, Staley’s words were a clear reminder that in the world of high-level competition, there’s always room to sharpen one’s game.

Staley continued, “I mean, all of her shots—some of them were defended, some of them were not defended. But you just got to break up the cadence and disrupt the flow of how she wants to play the game. Because if you allow her to just go at the you speed that she likes to go at and shoot in the same cadence that she practices in an empty gym, she’s going to beat you every time.”

Booker, averaging 16.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game with an impressive 49.4% shooting percentage, may have achieved a milestone, but Staley was reminding her that the true test of greatness lies in handling adversity, especially when it comes to those who excel in making you uncomfortable.

Staley’s mind games: Even Booker’s impressive performance can’t escape her mental test

Booker’s performance in the Texas win over Vanderbilt was one for the books. She converted 7 of 12 shots, and added six rebounds, and four assists to her already impressive stat line. Her efforts were a key factor in Texas securing its 19th consecutive home victory, a streak dating back to last January. Her head coach, Vic Schaefer, praised Booker’s work ethic, saying, “She’s that unique and that special. She’s that much of a difference player.”

Yet, Staley’s comments serve as a reminder that in the high-stakes world of college basketball, even players as accomplished as Booker are still works in progress. Staley’s strategy is simple: take away the opponent’s comfort zone and force them to think twice. The Gamecocks are known for their ability to disrupt the flow of the game, and Staley’s critique of Booker was a clear message that no player, no matter how talented, is ever truly safe from being mentally tested.

It’s fitting that Staley’s focus comes as South Carolina, ranked No. 2 in the nation with a 22-1 record, prepares to face off against No. 4 Texas, a team boasting a 23-2 record with just two losses—one of them, of course, to the Gamecocks.

Both teams are formidable, but as Staley gears up for another mental and physical showdown, she proves that, in her world, the battle never ends. For Booker, the challenge now is to respond—not just with her shooting, but by adapting under pressure. Staley’s move is a psychological chess match, and it’s evident that the Gamecocks coach plays to win.