WATCH: Dawn Staley's South Carolina players cheer up fans with GAME-COCKS chants during LSU game

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley was the celebrity guest picker for ESPN's College GameDay kickoff between the Gamecocks and the LSU Tigers on Saturday. Her players also joined in the game celebrations as they led the "GAME-COCKS" chants and kept the spirits up.

ESPN posted a video of the South Carolina women's basketball players leading the chants on Instagram and wrote:

"The Gamecocks are HYPED‼️"

Coach Dawn Staley also seemed hyped about the game as she participated in the 'Rally Towels' events, waving the white towels to the beat of music with Gamecocks fans.

Commenting on being honored as the guest-picker, Staley said (via Knox News):

"This is not just huge for our program, but for the state of South Carolina and the city of Columbia. There is no better place and no better fans that show up and show out like our Gamecocks. I am super excited."

Despite the hype and special cheers from Dawn Staley and her players, South Carolina lost the game 36-33. The coach later tweeted:

"Proud of you and all of the Gamecock fans! We let this one slip away….by our own doing and a little help from the game managers."

Before the start of the game, coach Staley joined the ESPN crew with former Alabama coach Nick Saban, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee among others to reveal her picks for the upcoming games.

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Dawn Staley's South Carolina promises a repeat tour

South Carolina and coach Dawn Staley were in the White House earlier this week, on Tuesday, to celebrate last year's championship win with President Joe Biden. He spoke highly of the program and of the coach, celebrating their impact on the state.

With fall drawing close, it is time for coach Staley and her team to defend their 2024 NCAA championship win. The South Carolina players have a name for their campaign which coach Staley revealed during the College GameDay interview with ESPN.

“[I’m] excited for this group, for this team to — what do we call it, Raven? — the repeat tour. Let’s go! Let’s go!,” she said.

The Gamecocks have lost one important core player, Kamilla Cardoso, to the WNBA but have enough pieces to lead them to another title win. Raven Johnson, MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson are expected to be coach Staley's key players in the campaign.

Do you think South Carolina can repeat the title win? Let us know in the comments section below.