As the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament heats up, the South Carolina Gamecocks are preparing for a Sweet 16 matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners. While the teams have history – Oklahoma delivered one of only two regular-season losses for South Carolina – the Gamecocks insist this isn’t about revenge. Instead, the focus is squarely on advancing in the tournament.
The Sooners upset South Carolina 70-66 in overtime in Norman back in January, a game that saw a significant comeback from Oklahoma. Freshman Aaliyah Chavez played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring 26 points, including 15 in the extra period, where Oklahoma outscored South Carolina 19-7. The game was a turning point for Oklahoma, but South Carolina is framing the rematch as simply another challenge on the path to a championship.
“It’s not really about getting a lick back,” South Carolina senior Raven Johnson said. Coach Dawn Staley echoed that sentiment, stating, “We’re not motivated by avenging a loss. We’re motivated by advancing. It’s survive, and advance.” This approach underscores South Carolina’s championship mindset and their focus on the bigger picture.
South Carolina’s Dominant Tournament Run
South Carolina has been on a dominant run through the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, scoring 100 points in both games. This marks the first time in program history the Gamecocks have reached the century mark in consecutive tournament contests. Their offensive firepower and defensive intensity have been key to their success, and they’ll look to carry that momentum into the Sweet 16.
Beyond the Scoreboard: A Focus on Growth
While acknowledging the previous loss, Staley emphasized that the team isn’t dwelling on what happened in January. “I don’t think we tweak from what we didn’t do the last time,” she explained. “I think we tweak from where we want to play in a tournament and the things that we need to do to stay organized.” Both teams have acknowledged they’ve evolved since their first meeting, making a film study of the previous game only partially relevant.
For Oklahoma, the January win over South Carolina was more than just an upset. it was a confidence booster for a young team. Coach Jennie Baranczyk explained, “The emotion didn’t arrive from the win of a game. The emotion came because we’re a young team trying to navigate life together…That emotion was because of how we played. And when you play like that, then sometimes that scoreboard is on your side.” The Sooners, built around seniors Raegan Beers and Payton Verhulst, are continuing to develop their chemistry with rising star Aaliyah Chavez.
The Weight of Legacy and Expectation
South Carolina enters the Sweet 16 carrying the weight of a storied program. Players are constantly reminded of the legacy built by former stars like A’ja Wilson, whose statue stands outside Colonial Life Arena. “We look at those and that kind of reminds us what the legacy that’s been here,” Johnson said. “We’re playing more than just for us.” Sophomore Joyce Edwards added, “But the culture and the expectation is there only because they paved the way for us to be in this position and to be a winning program.”
Oklahoma recognizes the challenge of facing a program with such a strong tradition. Senior Raegan Beers acknowledged, “They’re one of the standards in women’s basketball.” Oklahoma coach Jennie Baranczyk added, “You don’t get just this year’s team. You get the history of South Carolina. You get their experience that’s unmatched. They’re a team that’s used to the moment. And you never get to play this year’s team at this time; you’re playing a lot of history there.”
What to Expect in the Sweet 16
Despite the history and the stakes, both teams are focused on the present. Oklahoma junior forward Sahara Williams emphasized the need for a strong mentality, stating, “You can’t be scared. They’re a really good team, but we’ve got to show up with the will to win and the mentality that you have to outwork everyone.”
The Sweet 16 matchup between South Carolina and Oklahoma promises to be a compelling contest. While the Gamecocks aren’t approaching it as a revenge game, they are determined to advance and continue their pursuit of a national championship. The game will test both teams’ resilience, adaptability, and ability to perform under pressure. The next step in both teams’ tournament journeys will be determined on Saturday.
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