"If someone else said this all hell would break loose": College hoops fans in splits after Dawn Staley's comment about South Carolina team

By Richard Pereira

Modified Dec 20, 2024 17:18 GMT

NCAA Womens Basketball: Charleston Southern at South Carolina - Source: Imagn

The holidays are around the corner, and college players all over the country are getting ready to celebrate. Not for Dawn Staley and the No. 2 South Carolina women's basketball team, however.

As December goes through its final days, Staley gave her players a warning when it comes to staying dedicated to their craft while understanding the importance of them being with family members.

"Yeah, you threaten them. you know, I've been in college before. I've been in this situation before. I understand, you know, the play on the mind to be in two places and want to, want to get home, and you can't fight that," Staley said.

"So it has to be your discipline. You have to be where your mind is. And if your mind is at home, your players gonna stay, so if your mind is here, you're gonna do what you've been doing and be the disciplined athlete that you are. So it's really a mental test for all of us, I mean, but it's for me, it's for us to play to our standard, always."

It didn't take long for basketball fans to react to Staley's comments, describing her as a funny and tough coach at the same time:

"Coach Dawn Staley funny and tuff at the same time," one fan said.

Fan reacts to Dawn Staley's comments. (Instagram)

"Y'all remember Dawn daycare? lol she not playing," one remarked.

"But if someone else said this all hell would break loose," a fan thought.

Others continued in agreement, seeing how Staley is keeping it real with her team while emphasizing the importance of discipline.

"Keep it real coach Dawn!," one exclaimed.

"I love you aunty Dawn and imma use that phrase..... you have to be where your mind is at!!!!!," one fan stated.

"The difference between D1 Champions and everyone else!! As a basketball parent, I appreciate this dedication. Coach said it not me," another fan explained.

Dawn Staley's South Carolina look to end 2024 on a high note

With one game remaining in 2024, Staley and the No. 2 Gamecocks can look back on a successful year for the program.

The first half of the year saw them go undefeated with a 26-0 record en route to winning the national championship to cap off the 2023-24 season. This includes beating Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes by an 87-75 score to clinch their third national title in program history as well as Staley's third of her coaching career.

The second half has them embarking on a journey to defend their throne, starting the 2024-25 season strong with an 11-1 record while on a six-game winning streak. While they won't be able to have an undefeated season like they did the year prior, they remain one of the best teams in college basketball.

Staley and the No. 2 Gamecocks will look to end 2024 on a high note when they host Wofford at the Colonial Life Arena on Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. ET.

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Edited by John Maxwell