For Dawn Staley, the head coach of No. 2 South Carolina, resting on her laurels is simply not an option. With a near-perfect 15-1 record and a dominant season under her belt, Staley is focused on what’s ahead. “Win, lose, or draw, we’re gonna play. We’re gonna play hard,” the HC conveyed after their win against Texas A&M. Heading into the high-stakes showdown with no. 1 Texas next, she has identified what the Gamecocks need to do and, as suggested, she is in no mood to back down.

In a recent news conference, Staley pinpointed one key area that will dictate the game: “The biggest? I mean their ability to control the paint. Their bigs are good, their guards are good. I mean they, you know, in Vic’s heyday in the SEC, he controlled the paint. And it’s not going to change. You can win a lot of basketball games when you win the paint. So, we’ve got to win that battle. And then rebounding, rebounding is going to be key for us.”

Considering the two teams have been alternating between the no.1 and 2 spots in the net ranking, it would be no surprise to learn that their stats do not differ much. The Longhorns have been averaging 42 rebounds a game to Gamecocks’ 43.6. Shooting from the field, one does not overpower the other either, averaging 75.6 and 75.4 %, respectively.

While South Carolina showcased their depth with 53 points of their 90 coming off the bench for their last game, the Longhorns proved explosive both defensively and offensively, limiting the Crimson Tide to 17% from beyond the arc while shooting 50% from the field. Both the programs have lost one game each, remaining undefeated in the conference. Two teams. Similar showings. It all comes down to the better team on Sunday.

While Staley’s 13-3 record against Texas head coach Vic Schaefer shows a strong history of success, she knows every game is different. Even with a substantial lead in head-to-head matchups, Staley’s cautious approach remains. “We’ve got to win that battle,” she reiterates, emphasizing the importance of rebounding.

The series is split 2-2 currently between the two programs. The last one went to the Gamecocks as they won 62-34 in the 2021 Elite Eight. Given a chance to take a lead, Staley isn’t letting it slip. But the Longhorns pose quite a threat.

Dawn Staley & Co. up against the determined Longhorns

The Longhorns, led by 6-foot-1 forward Madison Booker, who averages 14.9 points per game, will look to exploit South Carolina’s vulnerabilities inside. Booker’s dynamic play, both in the paint and from mid-range, is one of Texas’ biggest weapons. Staley is well aware of this threat, calling her tough and comparing her to Augustus Simone. But it’s not just the Longhorns ace, Booker that Staley needs to account for.

Texas’ guards, such as Rori Harmon and Jordan Lee, bring depth and versatility to the table, further adding to the challenge. With a team that can shoot well from beyond the arc and pressure the ball on defense, South Carolina will have to be sharp in all aspects of the game, especially when it comes to maintaining control of the glass.

Despite South Carolina’s success, the game against Texas will not be easy. “We’re going to make sure it’s a knockdown, drag out,” Harmon says. As the game tips off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, all eyes will be on the two teams that have refused to slow down this season. As Schaefer says, “We’re pretty good. They’re pretty good. Let’s go play.”