Dawn Staley and her South Carolina Gamecocks have been able to keep their eyes on the prize, as they continue to prepare for their much anticipated Southeastern Conference (SEC) showdown with Mississippi State. But Staley had an interesting reaction after Mississippi State’s latest loss to Kentucky.

Mississippi State’s loss to Kentucky on January 2 wasn’t just a blow to the Bulldogs’ SEC start, but also a wake-up call for the rest of the league. The Bulldogs had gone into the match with a good record but were no match for Kentucky’s explosive offense.

Kentucky’s 91-69 victory marked the Wildcats’ SEC opener and set a new school record for three-pointers in a single game. With 18 shots from beyond the arc. Dazia Lawrence led the scoring with 28 and Georgia Amoore with 27. The team was also very successful from the three-point line converting 54.5%.

Dawn Staley candidly expressed her views on Kentucky’s dominant performance. “Probably everybody losing if Kentucky makes as many threes as they made against you know them. Umm, formidable opponent they still scored 77 something points so they can score it. They are coached well. They are very calculated, and what they want from an offensive standpoint. Defensively they’re a little stingy you know. I think it’s going to be a wheels of discipline for us and what we need to do to continue to get another road win on in our conference.” In addition to recognizing Kentucky’s ability, her statement showed the road that now awaits South Carolina. 

Staley’ saw Kentucky’s offensive firepower and recognized the trouble it would pose. Kentucky is a “formidable opponent,” she said, “they are well coached and disciplined”. She was also able to offer insight into the challenges her team will need to overcome in their future March 2, 2025, meeting with Kentucky. This would be their last game of the regular season. And this match will be very important for the South Carolina to continue their supremacy in the SEC.

Dawn Staley is leading South Carolina’s continued dominance

Picking from where they left off from last season, South Carolina has emerged as the team to beat in the SEC in the 2024-25 season. The Gamecocks, who are 13-1 on the season and 1-0 in SEC, are still one of the frontrunners of women’s college basketball. That success has been due in large part to the depth, discipline, and a roster that is simply littered with stars.

MiLaysia Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao have been key players. Staley described Fulwiley, a sophomore guard she calls a ‘generational talent,’ as a player who has grown mightily this season. Meanwhile, Paopao’s 46.7% three point shooting has been a key contributor to the team’s rise.

One of the greatest assets that South Carolina has had this year has been their depth. The Gamecocks have consistently displayed offensive versatility with multiple players averaging over seven points per game. Sania Feagin and Chloe Kitts have also made new names for themselves by being willing to step up and contribute to Staley’s team mindset.

While South Carolina is preparing themselves for the game with Mississippi State, their fans remain optimistic. Although they do lost recently, Bulldogs have been on high scoring offensive, averaging 78.2 points a game. But by any means, South Carolina defense that has let in an average of 54.4 points will give Mississippi State a worthy contest.