Staley’s Past Meets Present in NCAA Tourney Surprise

Staley’s Past Meets Present in NCAA Tourney Surprise

The NCAA women’s basketball tournament field is set, and the usual suspects are making their presence felt. The Big Ten leads the charge with a remarkable 12 teams, a feat they also achieved last year, tying an all-time conference record for tournament berths. However, the SEC is making a significant statement with two teams earning coveted No. 1 seeds: South Carolina and Texas. Both programs were top seeds last season, highlighting their consistent dominance on the national stage. South Carolina’s head coach, Dawn Staley, a perennial Final Four contender, sat down with ESPN’s Holly Rowe to discuss her team’s approach heading into March Madness.

Resetting for March

Coming off a recent loss, Staley emphasized the importance of rest alongside rigorous preparation. “Rest is equally as important as getting out there and working out,” she stated. The Gamecocks took a few days off before returning to the court for three focused practices. “Our players are really chopping at the bit to finally get an opponent that they can set goals to, to prepping for and hopefully winning, especially on our home court,” Staley added, conveying her team’s eagerness to compete.

Backcourt Brilliance

The age-old adage that “guards win championships in March” resonates strongly with Staley’s squad. She highlighted the exceptional backcourt duo of Te’a Cooper and Raven Johnson. “Well, I mean, they’re experienced. Um, they’re they have chemistry, instant chemistry,” Staley explained. “Raven’s done a great job at just putting Tanaya in great position, especially out on the break. Um, and I think they just lean on each other. Um, they they have a connection that um that well before they came to South Carolina, so they’re just utilizing it on the court.” Staley anticipates standout performances from her guards, looking forward to potential “breakout games in the postseason.”

A Reunion on the Sidelines

In a heartwarming moment, ESPN brought out Staley’s former backcourt mate from their days at Virginia, Tammi Reiss, now the head coach at Rhode Island. Reiss has guided the Rams to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 30 years, a journey that began when she and Staley were teammates in 1991. The surprise clearly touched Staley, who playfully deferred to Reiss, acknowledging her former teammate’s penchant for talking. “You always have done all the talking, so you continue to do that,” Staley quipped.

“Listen, I think I’m on tape delay a little bit, but you know, um, you’ve come a long way, Don. I have never um been prouder to watch the growth of a of a young woman grow into the leader and the mentor of women that you have become. And so it’s it was an honor and privilege to play with you back in the day. It’s an honor and privilege to to watch you grow our game. Um and I knew it was going to happen when I played with you at Virginia. And um again, I I just I have never been prouder.”

Tammi Reiss, Head Coach, Rhode Island

Passing the Torch

Reiss expressed immense pride in Staley’s journey, from their playing days at Virginia to her current success as a coach. “I just have never been prouder. Um and I’m just I’m just so happy that I I was able to learn from you and become a leader of women and lead my group to to this point,” Reiss shared. She acknowledged taking inspiration and advice from Staley as she led Rhode Island to their historic NCAA bid after a 30-year drought. The camaraderie was evident as Reiss playfully asked Staley for a “Gucci outfit in the mail,” a lighthearted nod to their shared past and Staley’s undeniable style.

Rhode Island’s Resurgence

Staley, in turn, praised Reiss’s coaching acumen and her team’s potential. “You’re a natural at this. This is what you’ve done. Super proud of you. Congratulations,” Staley told Reiss. “I wouldn’t want to be um Rhode Island’s opponent in the first round.” Reiss elaborated on the identity of her Rams team, which won their first A-10 tournament championship. “We brought a group in that was offensive-minded. I couldn’t watch scoring 45 points anymore. So, we went out and got people that could pass, dribble, and shoot. And we went out and got people that were connectors, that had personalities, that had energy,” Reiss explained. She emphasized the team’s unselfishness and chemistry, stating, “All they care about is winning. That’s what brought us to March Madness for the first time in 30 years.”

Looking Ahead

The reunion between Staley and Reiss served as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of mentorship and the cyclical nature of success in college basketball. Both coaches, forged in the same competitive fire at Virginia, are now leading their respective programs with distinct styles but a shared commitment to excellence. For South Carolina, the focus remains on navigating the NCAA tournament and adding another championship to their storied program. For Rhode Island, this March Madness appearance is a milestone, a testament to Reiss’s coaching and a signal that the Rams are a team to watch in the future. As Reiss put it, channeling Staley’s competitive spirit, “You’re gonna have to kill me to beat me.”

Source: Dawn Staley gets surprised by former roommate & Rhode Island HC Tammi Reiss! 🙌 | ESPN CBB (YouTube)