Remember the first round of the NCAA Tournament? Six teams, including Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks, dropped 100 or more points in a single round for the first time in history. The bar was raised right there. Even Duke had an 86-25 blowout win, and while it was a one-sided affair from start to finish, we saw the Blue Devils putting on a defensive masterclass. Riding that momentum, they finally reached the Sweet 16 game. And to fans’ delight, it was a Duke vs. North Carolina. The first-ever NCAA Tournament matchup between these longtime rivals with an Elite Eight spot on the line. What more could we ask for?
Well… a good game would’ve been nice.
This one was a total flop. No surprises, no drama, just a sluggish back-and-forth that ended with Duke winning 47-38 in the lowest-scoring contest between the teams this season. Friday’s matchup was a defensive grind.
Neither team cracked 35% from the field (Duke shot 31%, UNC 28.3%), and even the free-throw line wasn’t kind, with both shooting below 60%. UNC started hot, jumping out to an 11-0 lead in the first quarter. But after that? Duke took over, outscoring the Tar Heels 47-27 for the remainder of the game.
In an awful game to watch – just being real here – @DukeWBB beat @uncwbb 47-38 in Sweet 16. Duke shot 31% from field; North Carolina 28.3. It was 1st time the ACC rivals met in NCAA tournament. Maybe we should beg the selection committee to make sure it never happens again.
— Michael Voepel (@MAVoepel) March 28, 2025
For North Carolina, the real issue was their top scorers going ice-cold. Maria Gakdeng, Alyssa Ustby, Lexi Donarski, and Reniya Kelly combined for just 22 points. On the other hand, Duke’s Ashlon Jackson came alive in the second half, scoring eight of her 10 points when it mattered most. The real difference-maker was Duke’s bench. The Blue Devils got 26 points from their reserves, compared to UNC’s measly six.
So, how did fans feel?
Well, many were already annoyed that the game was scheduled on a weekday afternoon, making it hard to tune in. By the final buzzer, most were just relieved they hadn’t wasted their time. And honestly, that’s not the kind of narrative we need when women’s basketball is finally getting the spotlight it deserves.
The whole “Everybody Watches Women Basketball” movement? Games like this don’t help. But before we lose hope, let’s rewind to just a few days ago when teams were in destruction mode. UConn’s obliteration of Arkansas State? USC wiping the floor with Greensboro? That’s the kind of dominance we love to see.
And you know who’s keeping that energy alive? South Carolina and LSU.
Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks opened their tournament run with a 108-48 statement win. Their second-round game was another entertaining battle, where they started slow but came back to beat Indiana 64-53.
Meanwhile, Kim Mulkey’s squad has been playing no-nonsense basketball, dropping back-to-back 100+ point performances—first demolishing San Diego 103-48 and then cruising past Florida State 101-71. If there’s any hope for Sweet 16 fireworks, it’s with these two powerhouses.
While the Tigers gear up for their next challenge, the defending champs are already in action vs. Maryland. But the real highlight of their game has to be Dawn Staley’s outfit- again.
Dawn Staley pulls up in another stunning fit for Sweet 16
Dawn Staley doesn’t just coach champions; she dresses like one, too. The South Carolina head coach is known for her courtside swagger, effortlessly blending high fashion with her commanding presence on the sidelines.
For the Gamecocks’ Sweet 16 clash, Staley turned heads yet again with her latest look. She rocked a sleek white shirt and pants, topped with a denim jacket featuring a bold yellow collar. And, obviously, she didn’t forget her signature accessories—a stack of layered necklaces that have become a courtside staple.
This wasn’t just a random outfit choice. Staley’s style always tells a story. The mix of casual cool and sharp authority reflected exactly how South Carolina has approached this tournament: calm, confident, and business-like.
And how could we not notice the gold chain shaped like a national championship trophy. It was gifted by rapper Plies to Staley. The custom piece isn’t just flashy but also shows meaning. It features every year Staley has won a title, her name, and a Bible verse, a perfect combination of motivation and swagger. Staley has been rocking the chain throughout the tournament, and it’s quickly becoming a good luck charm.
Jan 9, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
But beyond the fashion statements, the heads coach knows the challenge. With a 32-3 record, South Carolina is fighting to defend its title, but it hasn’t been easy. Losses to UCLA, Texas, and UConn proved that nothing comes guaranteed. Even Staley acknowledges how hard it is to stay at the top.
“I mean, I think the biggest thing in winning the championship and then coming back is the players seem to forget how hard it was,” she said ahead of the Maryland matchup. “You can kind of get drunk off that success and think, ‘Oh, we can do it again.’ It’s much harder than they could have ever imagined.”
Still, if there’s anyone who can guide a team through adversity, it’s Dawn Staley. And if South Carolina delivers like they’ve done in the past, this Sweet 16 might just live up to its name after all.
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