3 SEC games that could give Dawn Staley's South Carolina a hard time in 2024-25 season

Dawn Staley's South Carolina women's basketball has emerged as a powerhouse program in the country, clinching the national championship twice within three years. In Staley's 16th year at Carolina last season, the Gamecocks achieved a perfect record, claiming both the Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament crowns.

Their unstoppable momentum carried them through the NCAA Tournament to secure their third title in program history. On Feb. 22, Staley won her 600th game as a head coach, having coached 786 games in total, with 534 of those at South Carolina. The Gamecocks also became the 10th Division I women's basketball team to end a season without any losses.

The question remains: Can Dawn Staley's South Carolina repeat a similar feat in the upcoming season? With the departure of Kamilla Cardoso, many wonder if the Gamecocks can maintain a high level of success.

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Three SEC games that could present a tough challenge for Dawn Staley's South Carolina

#1, South Carolina vs. LSU

The clash between South Carolina and LSU is always a showcase of high-level talent and competitive spirit.

Despite LSU's solid performance, finishing second in the SEC regular season standings and making it to the Elite Eight, it has lost to South Carolina in their last 10 encounters. If any team poses a challenge to USC's quest, for another season Kim Mulkey's LSU is definitely one.

#2, South Carolina vs. Ole Miss

South Carolina will play Ole Miss on the road this season. USC recorded a comfortable 85-56 win against the Rebels at Colonial Life Arena in February.

Ole Miss was third in the SEC standings last season, but it went 1-1 in the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. Led by coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, the Rebels look promising this season and could be in the way of South Carolina's path to a fourth straight conference title.

#3, South Carolina vs. Tennessee

In Kim Caldwell's first season as Tennessee's coach, she will be looking to lead the Volunteers to a deep tournament run. Tennessee has maintained a steady performance over the past five years, consistently finishing within the top five in the SEC regular season.

The Volunteers faced South Carolina three times in 2023-24 but lost in all of them. The last time Tennessee triumphed at Dawn Staley's South Carolina was in February 2021. The Gamecocks lost 67-75 at Thompson–Boling Arena during the regular season.