The South Carolina Lady Gamecocks Return To The Top Five After Defeating Kentucky, Securing Their Ninth SEC Regular-Season Title Under Dawn Staley
March 10, 2025 – Columbia, SC – The South Carolina Lady Gamecocks have returned to the top of the women’s college basketball rankings after a dominant victory over Kentucky on Sunday, clinching their ninth SEC regular-season title under the leadership of head coach Dawn Staley. This triumph has catapulted the Gamecocks back into the top five of the national rankings, solidifying their position as one of the premier programs in the nation.
South Carolina, led by an all-around performance from senior guard Zia Cooke and sophomore phenom Kamilla Cardoso, handled Kentucky with ease, winning by a commanding 15-point margin. The victory not only secured the SEC regular-season title but also added another accolade to Staley’s storied career. Under her leadership, the Gamecocks have consistently been a powerhouse, and this title marks a key milestone in a season full of promise.
“We’ve worked so hard for this moment. It’s a testament to the players’ dedication and commitment to one another,” Staley said after the win. “We’ve been through a lot this year, but the goal was always to be the best version of ourselves when it matters most, and we’ve done that.”
The Lady Gamecocks’ win over Kentucky also has significant implications for their seeding in the upcoming SEC Tournament. As the top team in the conference, South Carolina enters the postseason with momentum, but a new wrinkle has emerged in the tournament seeding process. A coin flip will now determine the final rankings for the SEC Tournament, adding an element of unpredictability and excitement as teams prepare for what promises to be a competitive postseason.
Despite this unusual method of deciding seeding, the Lady Gamecocks are poised to make a deep run in the SEC Tournament. Their victory over Kentucky was a reminder of their strength and depth, with multiple players contributing to the success. With players like Cooke and Cardoso leading the charge, South Carolina is looking to add to their already impressive resume this postseason.
SEC Tournament Seeding Determined By Coin Flip
In an unexpected turn of events, the SEC Tournament seeding has been determined by a coin flip due to a tie in conference standings. This rare decision comes after the top teams in the conference finished with identical records, making the flip necessary to break the tie and finalize the bracket for the tournament.
For many, this new method has raised eyebrows, with fans and analysts speculating about its fairness and implications. Nonetheless, the coin flip has set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable SEC Tournament. South Carolina, despite being the top team in the standings, will be watching closely to see how the seeding shakes out, as they aim to secure another title in the SEC Tournament.
NET Rankings Reveal Post-Victory Standing
As the regular season draws to a close, the NCAA’s official NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) rankings have been updated, and South Carolina’s victory over Kentucky has boosted their position. The Gamecocks now rank firmly in the top five, with their only losses coming to top-tier competition. The NET rankings are a crucial part of the NCAA Tournament selection process, and South Carolina’s rise back into the top five strengthens their chances of earning a high seed come March Madness.
Coach Dawn Staley’s squad has had a dominant season, and with the NET rankings reflecting their standing, the Gamecocks are in a strong position to contend for the national championship. As the postseason unfolds, all eyes will be on South Carolina as they aim to continue their dominance in both the SEC and on the national stage.
With a mix of experienced leadership and young talent, the South Carolina Lady Gamecocks are ready to make a deep run in the upcoming SEC Tournament and beyond. Their strong finish to the regular season, highlighted by their ninth SEC title under Staley, has set them up for success in the critical postseason stretch.
As the SEC Tournament begins, South Carolina remains a force to be reckoned with, and basketball fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be another thrilling chapter in the Lady Gam
ecocks’ storied history.