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Dawn Staley has been a dominant force in women's basketball, leading the South Carolina Gamecocks to the top in recent years. However, the memory of the bitter defeat in the 2023 Final Four, at the hands of Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes, still lingers. That game, in which the Hawkeyes triumphed 77-73, marked the only loss in an impressive 21-win streak in the last four NCAA tournaments. For Staley, the loss not only meant missing out on a championship but also the chance to the exclusive club of undefeated teams- a feat last achieved by UConn in 2016. Fortunately, the following year, the Gamecocks bounced back, claiming the championship and reaffirming their dominance.
As this year's final approaches, Staley has made it clear that the past has no place in her mind. "Nothing that happened before will help us on Sunday, nothing," she said firmly after the victory over Texas. For her, the only thing that matters is the present, and her team has shown the resilience needed to overcome any obstacle. However, the challenge against UConn, a team that has already proven capable of surprising, promises to be a completely different test.
Dawn Staley's stance ahead of the Final
Staley, known for her unwavering approach, has made it clear that no past record or success guarantees a victory. "The only thing that will help us is to play the game and see how it unfolds," she emphasized, reflecting her philosophy that every game is unique. In her mind, history is just a reminder of what has been achieved, but it doesn't provide a real advantage for the future. The focus is clear: performance in the final is everything.
With key players like MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson, who have never experienced defeat in a final, and the experienced Te-Hina Paopao, who ed the team after being a champion in 2024, the Gamecocks come into the final with a strong foundation. However, UConn's hunger is also at an all-time high, especially with Paige Bueckers, who is looking to close her college career with a championship ring. This promises a high-stakes final where no mistakes will be forgiven.
This year, the final is set to be a highly emotional rematch. In 2022, Staley's Gamecocks were crowned champions after defeating UConn in a historic showdown, claiming their second national title. However, the loss to the Huskies earlier this year, by 29 points, has added an extra layer of tension to this matchup. Despite that tough defeat, South Carolina remains a formidable team, and with a victory in the final, the Gamecocks aim to become the first team to win back-to-back championships since UConn's historic four-peat from 2013 to 2016.