South Carolina Dominates; Upsets Loom in NCAA Tourney

South Carolina Rolls to Dominant Victory, Upset Alerts Sound in NCAA Tournament

The top seeds in the women’s NCAA Tournament showed their power on Saturday, with South Carolina, UConn, and UCLA all securing comfortable wins. However, the day also offered glimpses of potential upsets and thrilling overtime battles, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.

Gamecocks Roar Out of the Gate

South Carolina, the number one seed, made a statement early and often against Southern, jumping out to a 15-0 lead. The Gamecocks never looked back, ultimately winning by a massive 103-34 margin. This victory marked the largest NCAA Tournament win in program history and the second-most points ever scored by South Carolina in tournament play. Coach Dawn Staley also earned her 50th NCAA Tournament win, a significant milestone.

Sophomore Tessa Johnson and freshman Joyce Edwards led the charge. Edwards poured in 27 points, tying for the fifth-most points in a single game in program history. The team’s defense was a key factor, forcing 35 points off 20 turnovers, a statistic that impressed college basketball analyst Megan McChuan. “The dominance that they came out with from the tip was wildly impressive,” McChuan noted. “They forced 35 points off turnovers.”

The Gamecocks’ balanced attack saw five players score in double figures. McChuan highlighted the team’s defensive pressure, stating, “If they can continue setting the tone with their defense, they’re going to make a keep running this day.” This dominant performance from South Carolina signals they are serious contenders for the national title, despite some discussions focusing on other top teams.

UConn and UCLA Continue Streaks

UConn, another top seed, also had a strong showing, defeating UTSA 90-52. Sophomore Sarah Strong led the Huskies with a game-high 18 points. This win extended UConn’s impressive streak of 32 consecutive NCAA Tournament openers, won by an average of over 47 points. The Huskies’ ability to play through whistles and maintain focus was evident throughout the game.

UCLA also continued its winning ways, defeating Cal Baptist 96-43. This victory extended the Bruins’ season-long win streak to 26 games, a new program record. Lauren Betts, standing at 6’5″, proved too much for Cal Baptist, contributing 22 points and 10 rebounds. Kiki Rice also put in a solid performance with 18 points and 7 rebounds as UCLA showcased its dominance.

Upset Potential and Overtime Thrillers

While the top seeds largely prevailed, the tournament wasn’t without its drama. The matchup between Mississippi and Minnesota, a 5-4 seed game, was highlighted as a potential upset. McChuan pointed to Ole Miss’s physicality, particularly from player Cody McDaymon, as a key factor. “Her ability to score in the paint. She can hit from three,” McChuan explained. “If they can get Cody McMahon going, especially in the paint, scoring at the rim, and maybe put a little bit of pressure, get Minnesota in foul trouble, Miss could easily pull off this upset.”

USC and Clemson played a nail-biter that went into overtime. After a buzzer-beater by USC’s Mia Moore was controversially waved off due to a whistle after time expired, the Trojans found themselves in overtime. Despite USC’s history of struggling in overtime NCAA Tournament games, they secured their first-ever overtime win in the tournament, defeating Clemson 71-67. Jazzy Davidson led USC with 31 points, tying for the second-most points in an NCAA Tournament game in program history.

Another overtime thriller saw Virginia upset seventh-seed Georgia 82-73. Kamora Johnson led Virginia with 28 points, while Mia Wilfolk added 27. The game was back-and-forth, with both teams trading baskets and leads. Virginia’s Somaya Smith also had a strong performance with 23 points and 11 rebounds, helping secure the upset victory.

Looking Ahead

With the first round largely concluding, the focus now shifts to the second round. The theme for Sunday’s games is expected to be parity, with several intriguing matchups. Games like Baylor vs. Duke and Michigan State vs. Oklahoma are anticipated to be highly competitive. The presence of talented players like Olivia Miles, who recorded a triple-double in the opening round for TCU, promises more exciting basketball. As Megan McChuan suggested, the tournament is shaping up to be one where teams need to be ready for anything, with upsets and close contests likely to continue.

Source: How Dawn Staley & South Carolina's defense can WIN THE TOURNAMENT 💪 | SportsCenter (YouTube)