South-Carolina

As Dawn Staley, South Carolina pursue perfection, what Geno Auriemma might say | Toppmeyer

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2 years ago

March 12, 2024

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As Dawn Staley, South Carolina pursue perfection, what Geno Auriemma might say | Toppmeyer

South Carolina women’s basketball will be the only undefeated team in the NCAA Tournament.
Dawn Staley will try to become the fifth coach to attain an undefeated NCAA championship. Geno Auriemma has six perfect seasons, but he doesn’t recommend the quest.
Would South Carolina have benefited from a loss to Tennessee? You could make that case.

Geno Auriemma once described the pursuit of perfection as an unwelcome passenger on a season’s journey – so much so that he welcomed a regular-season loss.

“Fifteen or 20 years ago, there was only one thought in my mind: We need to win every single game. … The last couple years, I’d go into every big game on ESPN going, ‘Man, I hope today’s the day we get our ass kicked,’” Auriemma, UConn’s women’s basketball coach, told reporters in 2018.

Auriemma’s insight came from a coach who’s achieved six undefeated seasons, but he’d developed this idea later in his career that experiencing a loss forces a team to regroup.

No women’s hoops program has finished as undefeated national champions since Auriemma’s Huskies in 2016.

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks are trying to become the first SEC team to finish undefeated since the Tennessee Lady Vols went 39-0 en route to cementing their three-peat in 1998.

The Gamecocks (32-0) have been ranked No. 1 in the polls every week since Nov. 13.

After four months of carrying that crown, it’s starting to look heavy – despite what the Gamecocks may say.

“It’s no pressure,” Gamecocks guard Te-Hina Paopao said before the SEC Tournament.

Well, then, maybe the season’s grind is simply taking its toll.

The Gamecocks will enter the NCAA Tournament undefeated, but not invincible.

In the SEC Tournament, USC looked as vulnerable as it’s been at any point this season. The Gamecocks shot just 43% from the field in conference tournament victories against Tennessee and LSU.

They required the fortune of a buzzer-beating banked 3-pointer to beat the Lady Vols in the semifinals.

As Pat Summitt would say years after her only undefeated season, navigating a season without a loss requires a team to experience “some luck, stay healthy and get a break or two.”

South Carolina cashed in its good fortune against Tennessee.

The Lady Vols led by two points with 1.1 seconds remaining when they inexplicably decided not to defend South Carolina’s best player, Kamilla Cardoso, off a sideline inbounds pass.

Tennessee’s first mistake? Not guarding inbounds passer Raven Johnson, who enjoyed a clean path to trigger the pass.

Its second mistake? Leaving Cardoso alone at the free-throw line. No defender was within 8 feet of her.

Its final mistake? Letting a Gamecock get an open look at a 3. When only a 3 can beat you, defend the arc. Tennessee didn’t. Instead of remaining at the free-throw line, Cardoso drifted out a few more feet to catch the inbounds at the top of the arc.

Cardoso had attempted just one 3-pointer in her career. As an opponent, you don’t know if she can make that shot. You don’t know she can’t, either.

She could – and did.

To call Tennessee’s collapse a case of coaching and defensive malpractice would be an insult to those who commit malpractice.

Perfect record retained, amid an imperfect performance.

A day later, South Carolina led LSU by just a single point with fewer than five minutes remaining before digging in to protect the lead. Bree Hall made a couple of clutch baskets to provide breathing room.

Hall’s late-game 3-pointers also rallied the Gamecocks past LSU in Baton Rouge two months ago.

Hall ranks fifth on the team in scoring. That’s South Carolina’s super power. It’s a deep team that depends on no single player to beat an opponent.

South Carolina’s enviable depth of talent makes it a rightful favorite entering the Big Dance, but the Gamecocks were also the undefeated favorite entering last year’s tournament. They lost to Iowa in the semifinals.

Only four coaches have achieved an undefeated NCAA championship: Auriemma, Summitt, Kim Mulkey (Baylor) and Jody Conradt (Texas).

As I consider Cardoso’s semifinal buzzer-beater against Tennessee, I think the Gamecocks may have been better served had it rimmed out.

The pressure of going undefeated would’ve been gone. The Gamecocks still would’ve enjoyed a No. 1 NCAA seed. A loss could’ve helped recalibrate them and provided extra motivation for this stretch run.

South Carolina takes aim at becoming the NCAA’s 10th undefeated national champion. UConn accounts for six of those perfect seasons – and Auriemma’s experience tells him that perfection can be more of a hindrance than a helper in pursuit of a championship.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s SEC Columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.

A digital subscription will allow you access to all of his coverage. Also, check out his podcast, SEC Football Unfiltered, or access exclusive columns via the SEC Unfiltered newsletter.

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South-Carolina

LIVE: SC AG Alan Wilson, state, national leaders hold press conference on statewide drug busts

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2 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

LIVE: SC AG Alan Wilson, state, national leaders hold press conference on statewide drug busts

Statehouse Reporter Mary Green will have more on this tonight.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – South Carolina Attorney General and other officials will be holding a press conference Friday at 9:30 a.m. to talk about statewide drug busts.

Wilson is set to be joined by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel, representatives from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security, as well as several local sheriffs and other law enforcement partners.

Watch the full press conference in the video above.

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.

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South-Carolina

2026 Football Schedule Unveiled

Published

14 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

The University of South Carolina’s 2026 football schedule has been unveiled, it was announced tonight on the SEC Network.

The Gamecocks’ 2026 schedule features nine regular-season SEC contests, with five games at home and four on the road. The schedule also includes non-conference games versus Kent State and Towson as part of the seven-game home slate, and a non-conference road contest at Clemson.

After opening the season with three-consecutive home games for the first time since 2014, the Gamecocks will alternate home and road contests throughout the remainder of the schedule. The 2026 schedule features just one open date which will come on week 7 (October 17).

As announced on Monday, the Gamecocks will open the season on Sept. 5 by hosting Kent State. Carolina drubbed the Golden Flashes in its only previous encounter, a 77-14 decision in 1995. Kent State finished the 2025 season with a 5-7 mark overall and a 4-4 record in the Mid-American Conference.

Week 2 will see the Towson Tigers make their first trip to Williams-Brice Stadium. The Tigers compete in the FCS Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and posted a 6-6 record in 2025 under head coach Pete Shinnick.

The Gamecocks begin their nine-game SEC gauntlet on Sept. 19 when Mississippi State visits Columbia. Carolina has won eight of the last nine meeting with the Bulldogs including a 37-30 win in 2023, the only contest played between the two schools since 2016. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series by a 10-7 margin. Mississippi State is one of seven teams on Carolina’s 2026 schedule that is playing in a post-season game this year.

The Gamecocks first road trip of the 2026 season takes them to Tuscaloosa on Sept. 26 for a date with the Alabama Crimson Tide, one of four teams on South Carolina’s 2026 slate that will appear in this year’s College Football Playoffs. It will mark the third-consecutive season that Carolina and Alabama have squared off, with the Tide narrowly winning the previous two – 27-25 in Tuscaloosa in 2024 and 29-22 in Columbia in 2025.

The Gamecocks and Kentucky Wildcats will meet in Columbia on Oct. 3. The teams met in Williams-Brice Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025, with Carolina prevailing by a 35-13 score, its fourth-straight win in a series they lead 22-14-1.

Carolina wraps up the first half of the season at Florida on Oct. 10. The Gamecocks and Gators met every year on the gridiron from 1992-2023 but have not played in either of the last two seasons. Florida holds a commanding 31-10-3 lead in the all-time series including a 17-2 advantage when playing in The Swamp. Carolina’s last win in Gainesville came in overtime the 2014 season.

After an open date on Oct. 17, the Gamecocks will return to action at home on Oct. 24 against the Tennessee Volunteers. Like Florida, the Gamecocks and Vols met every year from 1992-2023 but have not played in either of the last two seasons. Tennessee leads the all-time series by a 29-13-2 count including a narrow 10-8-2 advantage when the game has been played in Columbia.

The Gamecocks will spend Halloween in Norman playing the Oklahoma Sooners. The teams had never met prior to OU joining the SEC but have played each of the past two seasons with each team winning on the others’ home field.

The Bonham Trophy will be at stake on Nov. 7 when Texas A&M visits Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks and Aggies have met every year since A&M joined the SEC in 2014. The Aggies hold a 10-2 advantage in the all-time series, but the Gamecocks have won each of the last two meetings in Columbia.

The Gamecocks will travel to Fayetteville, Ark. for just the second time since 2013 when they tangle with the Arkansas Razorbacks on Nov. 14. South Carolina has won three of the last four games with the Hogs, but Arkansas clings to a 14-10 advantage in the all-time series.

The second-longest running series in school history behind only Carolina-Clemson, the Carolina-Georgia rivalry gets renewed on Nov. 21 when the Bulldogs make their way to Columbia from Athens. Georgia has won 55 of the previous 76 meetings between the flagship schools from neighboring states, with the Gamecocks last win coming in 2019.

The 2026 regular season comes to an end on Nov. 28 when the Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers meet in the annual Palmetto Bowl. The 2026 meeting will take place in the Upstate, where the Gamecocks have won each of their last two visits.

SEASON TICKETS
Whether you’ve been attending games for years or want to experience the magic for the first time, it’s not too early to secure your season tickets for the 2026 season. Season tickets are available for as low as $65 per game with a 10-month payment plan option available. Fans interested in purchasing season tickets for the first time, can place a season ticket deposit today for only $50 plus fees or fill out our season ticket interest form to receive more information. Current season ticket holders will receive information soon on how to renew their tickets for the 2026 season and can contact their Gamecock Club Account Representative today to enroll in the 10-month payment plan. For more information on ticket options for the 2026 season, visit 2026 Football Hub.

2026 SOUTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 5                  vs Kent State
Sept. 12 vs Towson
Sept. 19 vs Mississippi State*
Sept. 26 at Alabama*
Oct. 3 vs Kentucky*
Oct. 10 at Florida*
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 24                 vs Tennessee*
Oct. 31 at Oklahoma*
Nov. 7 vs Texas A&M*
Nov. 14                 at Arkansas*
Nov. 21                 vs Georgia*
Nov. 28 at Clemson

*-SEC game

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South-Carolina

Nebraska targeting former South Carolina coach Lonnie Teasley

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Nebraska targeting former South Carolina coach Lonnie Teasley

Nebraska is targeting ex-South Carolina offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley for an offensive staff role, according to the Omaha World-Herald’s Sam McKewon. The role itself is still to be determined.

Teasley spent three seasons as the Gamecocks’ offensive line coach. He had been with the program since 2021, serving as an offensive analyst. He assumed on-field coaching duties for the program in 2022.

Teasley was let go by South Carolina in October, ending his time with the program.

In addition to his coaching role, he was a strong recruiter for the Gamecocks. He most recently landed Darius Gray, the top interior offensive line recruit in the 2026 class. He was also able to land four-star offensive tackle Kamari Blair for the class as well.

Nebraska football has undergone several changes on offense over the last couple of days. They hired former Georgia Tech offensive line coach Geep Wade for the same position on Saturday, following the firing of Donovan Raiola.

The program is making sweeping changes on both sides of the football. Adding Teasley to the staff would be important for the program, which needs to be better prepared across all areas.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

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