Markeshia's Corner: South Carolina vs. UConn Preview - One more. Be Uncommon

🏀🔥 Markeshia Grant, who played two seasons for Dawn Staley, provides GamecockCentral readers with analysis of South Carolina women’s basketball. Don’t miss her unique insights and expert takes; sign up for the GamecocksW newsletter. 🔥🏀

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South Carolina punched its ticket back to the national championship game—and did it the way they always do: with discipline, poise, and collective execution. Texas brought early energy, but South Carolina controlled the tempo. From the start, the Gamecocks disrupted rhythm and forced Texas to play their game. Every stop mattered. Every possession was intentional. And when Texas went on their runs, South Carolina responded—together. A complete team win, locked in on the mission. One more. Be Uncommon.

Gamecock game highlights vs. Texas

• 15th ranked win this season (new program record)
• Three in double figures – Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall, & Joyce Edwards
• 17 assists
• 7 Steals
• 5 block
• Won the rebounding battle 36-29
• 50.9% overall FG, 63.6% (7-11) from the 3, and 75% (9-12) from the FT line 

Standout Performances

Breezy Hall – Defensive Minded

Breezy made her presence felt all game long—knocking down shots, locking up on defense, and crashing the boards. She showed up when it counted.

Te-Hina Paopao – Steady Veteran

Paopao was sharp and locked in—calculated with her decisions, aggressive on defense, reading passing lanes, and knocking down timely shots. She was the Paopao we know—and exactly the one we need when it counts. 

Bench Production – Seatbelt Gang

South Carolina’s bench delivered its typical scoring output, with key contributions came from Joyce, Tessa, MiLaysia, and Maryam—adding 45 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, and 2 steals.

Joyce Edwards- 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists 

Tessa Johnson – 9 points

MiLaysia Fulwiley – 7 points and 3 assists 

Maryam Dauda – 4 points and 3 rebounds

Up Next: South Carolina vs. UConn – FOUR IT ALL

One More. Be Uncommon. 

One More Game. One More Chance. South Carolina is back in the national championship game—and this time, it’s about redemption. Not a revenge tour from last season, but something bigger: the repeat—they’re chasing back-to-back national titles. One more pass. One more rebound. One more defensive stop. Uncommon favor. All South Carolina needs is one more point than UConn—and history is theirs. That’s the formula. That’s the mission. 

Gamecocks Advantage vs. UConn 

1. National Championship Winning Experience – South Carolina’s National Championship winning experience set them apart in this matchup. Some players have two National titles, others have one, and so they understand what it takes to finish the job—and do at the highest level. UConn’s legacy is built on championships, but this current roster hasn’t won one—they haven’t won one since 2016.
2. Hard to beat twice – The Gamecocks rarely ever lose to a team twice. So, I’m sure they are looking for a chance at redemption and to finish what they set out to do.
3. Depth & Balance – South Carolina doesn’t rely on one star. They have depth. Anyone on the roster can step up, take over a game or shift the momentum in a game—whether it’s scoring, playmaking, defense, rebounding, or hustle plays. UConn leans heavily on their stars, while South Carolina can wear teams down with waves of impact players.
4. Defensive Versatility – South Carolina’s defense is elite. They can switch, play great gap defense, recover, and make you uncomfortable for 40 minutes. UConn thrives on rhythm—South Carolina’s length, athleticism, and discipline can disrupt that. The Gamecocks will force you to beat them possession by possession, and that’s hard to sustain.

Guard Advantages 

South Carolina’s guard versatility, veteran leadership, National Championship winning experience, and playmaking ability.

Key Matchups to Watch

Guard Play vs. Paige Bueckers

• Paige is UConn’s do-it-all leader.
• She has been playing at an elite level in the NCAA tournament, so South Carolina has to make their presence felt and play her honest for 40 minutes! 
• Make her think about something other than scoring and getting her teammates involved. 
• Pressure her without fouling and maker her work for all catches. Deny her the pass back when she gives it to disrupt her offense.
• Understand situational awareness when guarding her—when she passes the ball into the high post she’s most likely looking to come off for a hand-off or cutting backdoor for a layup. When she’s coming off ball screens she will shoot off the screens or look for open teammates.
• Run her off the 3-pt line and make her put the ball on the floor. 

Guard Play vs. Azzi Fudd

• Azzi has big game capabilities, especially when it comes to shooting the 3. She will look to knock down 3’s in transition and off ANY screen—ball screens, down screens, elevator screens, ANY SCREENS. South Carolina will need to keep a body on her and play those screens honest.
• South Carolina will need to run her off the 3-pt line and make her think about something other than scoring. Make her a passer! 
• Make her work on defense and box her out, because she will look to get her team extra possessions. 

Guard Defense

South Carolina’s guards need to set the tone defensively from tip-off.

• Match their intensity – UConn is going to bring it for 40 minutes. Handle their pressure.
• BOX OUT – Limit their second-chance points. Guards need to crash the boards and finish the play with a box out.
• Defend without fouling – Don’t bail them out. Stay disciplined, move your feet, and keep them off the free throw line.
• EFFORT! Effort is a choice, so South Carolina will need to choose to win the 50/50 balls. Do not be out worked!

Post Advantages

South Carolina’s post versatility and depth, veteran leadership, National Championship winning experience, playmaking ability.

Notables

Joyce Edwards hadherself a game against Texas—nearly notching a triple-double and impacting every part of the game. South Carolina will need that same energy and production from her today.

Post Play vs. Sarah Strong 

• Sarah is UConn’s most important impact player.
• She is deceptive in that she doesn’t show much emotion, she just plays with so much poise. She’s way above her years in terms of how she approaches the game. However, the Gamecocks will need to disrupt and speed her up. Make her think about something other than scoring and getting her teammates involved. 
• Keep a body on her all times.
• Make her work for all catches. 
• Make her make multiple moves around the basket. 
• Box her out on the shot because she is always looking to get her team extra possessions or timely put backs. 
• Run her off the 3-point line and make her put the ball on the floor. She’s quick to look for the pass when that happens, so South Carolina needs to be ready—play solid gap defense and anticipate the passing lanes.
• If South Carolina can make it hard for her, this will disrupt UConn’s flow.

Post Defense

• Use their depth to their advantage – Rotate fresh legs and wear UConn down.
• Own the Glass – No second chances. Box out, secure rebounds, and control the paint.
• Stay Out of Foul Trouble – Defend without fouling.
• Run the Floor – RUN the floor. Set the tone in transition, and finish at the rim.

Keys to the Win

1. Keep the main thing, the main thing – Stay focused and handle business.
2. Set the tone early – Come out aggressive and establish control of the game from the start.
3. Lock in on defense – Disrupt their rhythm, pressure the ball, and take away the three.
4. Bench production – The Seatbelt Gang leads the nation with 42 bench PPG—depth will be a difference-maker.
5. Win the rebounding battle / WIN THE PAINT – When South Carolina wins the rebounding battle, they win the game!
6. Take care of the ball – Smart decisions, ball movement, and unselfish play will help with taking care of the ball.
7. Stay focused and execute – Lock in from the start. No let-ups.
8. Balanced scoring attack – When everyone eats, the Gamecocks WIN. 
9. Play hard, play smart, play disciplined, play and act like champions!
10. Have fun!

One more. Be Uncommon!

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🏀🔥 Markeshia Grant, who played two seasons for Dawn Staley, provides GamecockCentral readers with analysis of South Carolina women’s basketball. Don’t miss her unique insights and expert takes; sign up for the GamecocksW newsletter. 🔥🏀

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