Tag: south carolina basketball

Is Georgia basketball playing its way out of the NCAA Tournament?

The Georgia Bulldogs’ basketball team is on the NCAA Tournament bubble

The Georgia Bulldogs are predicted a No. 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament after a recent losing streak according to ESPN’s latest bracketology. Joe Lunardi, who updated his projections on Tuesday, has Georgia as one of his final four teams with a first round bye. UGA is on the bubble of the NCAA Tournament just a couple of weeks after being ranked.

Georgia is on a four game losing streak and needs to turn things around. Head coach Mike White and Georgia are projected to play the Clemson Tigers (a No. 7 seed) in March Madness, but the Bulldogs could get knocked out of the projected NCAA Tournament field with a few more losses.

Georgia desperately needs to win on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET (televised on SEC Network) against the South Carolina Gamecocks to improve their NCAA Tournament hopes. Georgia (14-6, 2-5) has a 78.5% chance to beat South Carolina (10-10, 0-7) according to ESPN. The Dawgs simply can’t afford to lose at home to the worst team in the SEC.

The SEC is the top conference in college basketball and has a nation’s best 13 teams projected to make the NCAA Tournament. Georgia is coming off a disappointing week where the Bulldogs blew a big lead against Arkansas and then got demolished in a 30-point loss to Florida.

The Bulldogs received six votes in the latest USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll. Georgia also has a major opportunity on Saturday, Feb. 1 at No. 4 Alabama.

ESPN names TV announcers for Alabama vs. South Carolina game

Here’s who will have the call for Alabama vs. South Carolina on SEC Network.

Next up for Nate Oats’ Alabama Crimson Tide in SEC play is a trip to Columbia to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Alabama (12-2 overall, 1-0 SEC) won its conference opener in resounding fashion, handing the Oklahoma Sooners a 107-79 loss last Saturday at Coleman Coliseum. The Crimson Tide got 22 points from senior Mark Sears and 16 from Labaron Philon, who was named SEC Freshman of the Week for a second straight week Monday.

Alabama’s 28-point margin of victory over the previously unbeaten Sooners (13-1) matched their biggest lead in the game.

On Monday, ESPN announced its broadcast crew and commentator assignments for this week’s college basketball slate. The duo of Dave Neal (play-by-play) and Ron Slay (analyst) will have the call of Alabama-South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on SEC Network.

Alabama moved up one spot to No. 5 in the Week 10 USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, one spot behind the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils and one spot ahead of the No. 6 Marquette Golden Eagles.

South Carolina (10-4) lost 85-50 at Mississippi State last Saturday.

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Photos of UCLA women’s stunning upset over No. 1 South Carolina

Photos from the MASSIVE win!

The UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team remained undefeated with a huge win over No. 1 South Carolina at a sold-out Pauley Pavilion on Sunday.

The Bruins got the 77-62 win over South Carolina as Lauren Betts had 11 points with 14 rebounds and four blocks. A total of five Bruins scored in double figures as Londynn Jones led the way with 15 off the bench.

It was a statement win for UCLA, and the previously-ranked No. 5 Bruins should see a massive increase in votes after the victory.

Here are some photos as the Bruins got the huge win over Dawn Staley’s team on Sunday in Los Angeles.

 

 

 

Dawn Staley’s heart was so full after watching A’ja Wilson and Kamilla Cardoso clash during Aces-Sky

Dawn Staley was overjoyed watching two of her former players battle.

While everyone else had their minds positively blown by a motivated A’ja Wilson one-upping Chennedy Carter with an absurd game-winner, Dawn Staley was just a proud coach watching the Las Vegas Aces and Chicago Sky square off.

The South Carolina legend has, of course, established the best program in women’s college basketball. Two of her best players in recent years have been Wilson (the No. 1 overall selection in 2018) and 2024 No. 3 overall pick Kamilla Cardoso.

Well, conveniently, Sunday afternoon’s thriller pitted Wilson in a heated paint matchup against Cardoso.

Even while Wilson is the current MVP favorite, the rookie Cardoso more than held her own with five blocks, as she really made Wilson earn every point en route to an 8-of-28 shooting performance (28 percent!). From start to finish, Staley loved watching every second as she beamed with pride for two of her finer pupils after the game:

A full co-sign to Staley’s thoughts. South Carolina basketball did not lose Sunday, and the WNBA product continues to be formidable and edge-of-your-seat in every single game.

Here’s to watching Wilson and Cardoso clash in remarkable battles for years to come.

Dawn Staley delivered a powerful ESPYs speech and fans were in awe

Dawn Staley delivered a powerful speech during the 2024 ESPYs.

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley delivered a powerful speech on Thursday night during the 2024 ESPYs.

Accepting the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for her work as an advocate for those battling cancer, Staley talked about how much the honor meant to her and praised those who were fighting the horrid disease.

Staley’s speech inspired plenty in the crowd and watching at home, as it’s yet another strong reminder of why she’s such a beloved figure in the sporting world.

The ESPYs always feature plenty of amazing moments that highlight the best of sports, and this wonderful speech from Staley definitely qualified.

Fans were in awe of Staley’s moving speech during the ceremony.

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Dawn Staley and Barack Obama took an adorable selfie together at this week’s Team USA basketball game

This is so wholesome.

You never know who is going to run into whom at a sporting event, as was the case at Wednesday’s Team USA basketball game against Canada.

Former President Barack Obama and South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley greeted each other at Wednesday’s game, with the two taking an adorable selfie with each other, as was captured by the Fox Sports broadcast.

This was such a wonderful moment that surely happened spontaneously, as Staley and Obama sharing a selfie with each other on the Team USA basketball sideline is just too good a highlight.

Perhaps the Obamas will make a trip to South Carolina some time this season to deliver a motivational talk to the Gamecocks?

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Former Iowa star Kate Martin rocked Gamecocks gear for Aces teammate A’Ja Wilson ahead of preseason game in South Carolina

Former Iowa star Kate Martin became a South Carolina fan for a day to support her Aces teammate A’Ja Wilson.

With news that Las Vegas Aces superstar A’Ja Wilson is finally getting her own Nike shoe, some of her Aces teammates rocked South Carolina gear to support her during the team’s preseason.

Recent 2024 WNBA Draft pick Kate Martin of Iowa women’s basketball fame was among those supporting Wilson’s college team, which is really fascinating because of the on-court rivalry those two teams have had in the women’s NCAA tournament the past few years.

While South Carolina and Iowa aren’t necessarily big fans of each other on game days, Martin is now a teammate to one of the biggest names in women’s basketball in Wilson.

Plus, the Aces are playing in South Carolina against Puerto Rico for a preseason game, so the support is all the more endearing.

She’s used to playing with a great talent like Caitlin Clark, so being able to play with and support Wilson now is as good a reason as any to represent South Carolina for a day.

Hey, if we played with someone as great as Wilson on the court, we’d be ready to wear an opposing college team’s gear, too!

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Former Alabama forward Nick Pringle transferring to South Carolina

Former Alabama forward Nick Pringle will finish out his college career at South Carolina. Pringle spent two seasons at Alabama.

The Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball program saw six players enter the transfer portal this offseason. One of them was forward Nick Pringle. On Saturday, the former Alabama forward announced that he was transferring to South Carolina per his latest Instagram post.

Pringle transferred to Alabama by way of Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas. Pringle played in 70 games for the Crimson Tide. All 16 of his starts in an Alabama uniform came during his senior season. As a senior, Pringle averaged 6.8 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game.

The best game of his Alabama career came in the NCAA Tournament against the Clemson Tigers. Pringle finished the game with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists.

Alabama will need to replace Pringle at the five spot next season. Currently, Alabama is in the process of finding a big man to replace Pringle. Rutgers transfer forward Clifford Omoruyi is scheduled to visit Alabama on Sunday, so it will be interesting to see if he commits soon after. Nonetheless, Pringle will conclude his college career in a South Carolina uniform.

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Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama men’s basketball program and its involvement in the transfer portal.

Dawn Staley said Caitlin Clark is ‘the sole reason’ for the ratings boost in women’s college basketball

Dawn Staley said that Caitlin Clark is the sole reason for the ratings boost in women’s college hoops.

While South Carolina topped Iowa in the women’s NCAA national championship game this month, Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley is giving sole credit to former Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark for the recent ratings boost in the sport.

Indeed, this year’s tournament drew in record numbers when Clark was on the court. To Staley, the impact that the new Indiana Fever guard had on women’s basketball is immense.

Speaking with 670 The Score about spreading awareness for the sport, Staley argued that Clark is “the sole reason” for the ratings boost the game has experienced recently, and that her popularity helps bring awareness to other deserving athletes in the sport when they play each other.

“Caitlin Clark is the sole reason why viewership has shot through the roof for our game,” Staley told the radio show. “And I think the decision-makers are following suit in making sure that other games are being played besides Caitlin Clark because, if you play Caitlin Clark, you’re going to run up against somebody that you might find that’s pretty good.”

Staley’s sentiments make sense in the way that rising tides lift all boats, and Clark’s popularity absolutely drew audiences in and exposed them to more of the college game’s bright stars.

However, others might argue that while Clark may have been the main reason for the recent ratings boost, there were other standouts in the game that played a key role in the recent elevation of awareness.

Either way, Staley is an authoritative voice in women’s college basketball, and her praise of Clark’s impact on the game holds major credence.

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Dawn Staley delivered a heartfelt message to Beyoncé for sending her flowers and swag

Dawn Staley is so lucky that Beyoncé is one of her biggest fans.

A Hall of Famer and perennial championship coach with South Carolina, Dawn Staley is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in basketball.

In fact, Staley is so influential that she’s now got one very appreciative super-fan: Beyoncé.

On Wednesday, Staley posted a video to her Twitter account revealing that the superstar singer sent her beautiful flowers, swag, and a message about how closely she followed Staley and South Carolina throughout this past entire season. It’s clear that Beyoncé put a lot of effort and thought into her appreciation of Staley.

Needless to say, Staley was jubilant to get her literal flowers from one of the greatest entertainers of all time.

Does it get any better than two respective legends in their fields coming together like this? What an awesome gesture from Beyoncé.