Dawn Staley quotes Martin Luther King Jr ahead of South Carolina’s game vs Kim Mulkey’s LSU

A big game awaits Dawn Staley and the No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks as they face Kim Mulkey and the No. 5 LSU Tigers. Before it commences, Staley made an Instagram post citing quotes from two specific sources.

Staley made the post on Friday hours before the game, using specific quotes from the Bible and the late Martin Luther King Jr. What she used from them showcased her mindset heading into the game as she is fully prepared for what's to come.

"Shootaround and pregame meal done. Check!" Staley wrote in the caption.

One of the quotes that Staley posted said: "We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

Dawn Staley is excited about the LSU rivalry

Understanding the history between South Carolina and LSU, which are currently competing for national championships with Hall of Fame coaches, Dawn Staley knows the rivalry is undeniable.

The Gamecocks won the 2024 national championship, while the Tigers secured the title the previous year, showing that their success didn't come long ago. It is happening in the present day, which Staley is looking forward to, as she expressed during an interview with the SEC Network.

"It's a rivalry. It really is," Staley said. "We're not only a rivalry between the programs on the floor, but it's a rivalry with the fan bases because you can't say one bad thing about LSU without LSU fans hopping on our fans. You can't say nothing about Gamecock things."

"It's so very good for our game that people are very interested in this rivalry. I'm sure the people that's going to pack Colonial Life Arena at 5 p.m. on Friday are going to get a treat. They're going to get their money's worth," she added.

South Carolina boasts an 18-1 record after 19 games, including a 6-0 start in conference play. They are averaging 82.7 points on 47.2% shooting (34.4% from beyond the arc), blowing out opponents by 27.6 points per game.

After this game, Dawn Staley and the No. 2 Gamecocks will have another ranked matchup on the way as they face the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.