Markeshia's Corner: The magic of Four - South Carolina vs. Texas Preview

🏀🔥 Markeshia Grant, who played two seasons for Dawn Staley, provides GamecockCentral readers with analysis of South Carolina women’s basketball. Don’t miss her unique insights and expert takes; sign up for the GamecocksW newsletter. 🔥🏀

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The Magic of Four. South Carolina seniors have made four straight Final Fours. South Carolina is one of the four teams left standing in the NCAA Tournament, and is set to face Texas for the fourth time this season on 4/4. That can’t be a coincidence, right? It has to be a sign? A clear message? Yes, some things just align. I believe the Gamecocks are exactly where they’re meant to be. Hard work, resilience, and pure determination have carried them to this moment—and they’re not done yet. 

Gamecocks Advantage vs. Texas

South Carolina’s depth, defensive intensity, rebounding ability, speed, and Final Four experience set them apart in this matchup. For Texas, this is uncharted territory—their first Final Four in nearly 20 years. Meanwhile, some Gamecocks are making their fourth trip, others their third, some their second, and a few their first—but together, that experience is elite. And that’s the edge. They understand what it took to get this moment and they understand how to handle it, too.

Guard Advantages 

South Carolina’s defense, veteran leadership, Final Four experience, and playmaking.

Notables

Te-Hina Paopao and Tournament Tessa Johnson are due from unrelenting tournament performances. I think we could see them do their BIG ONE tonight!

Key Matchups to Watch

Guard Play vs. Madison Booker

• Texas’ sophomore forward and leading scorer has the ability to take over games, so South Carolina will need to disrupt her and make her think about something other than scoring. She’ll be looking for redemption after struggling with efficiency in all three previous matchups against the Gamecocks—shooting just 25% from the field (3-19 in the first meeting, 7-22 in the second, and 4-13 in the third). She thrives in the mid-range, so South Carolina’s guards need to use their length to force her into contested shots. Keeping pressure on her, speeding her up, and denying her rhythm will be key. She’s also aggressive on the offensive glass, constantly hunting second-chance points, so boxing her out is a must. Defensively, she’s foul-prone—attack her feet, force her to defend, and make her work on both ends of the floor.

Guard Play vs. Rori Harmon

• Rori Harmon is the head of the snake—the engine that makes Texas go. South Carolina’s guards will have to disrupt her and make her think about something other than running her team. Play her honest, but make her uncomfortable. Force her into uncharacteristic decisions. Defend the mid-range because she has been looking to score more from there. Also, defend her without fouling—she’s crafty at drawing contact and getting to the free throw line. Stay alert—she has a knack for sliding in late to take charges. Attack her on offense, make her work, and be smart with the ball.

Guard Defense

South Carolina’s guards need to set the tone defensively from tip-off.

• Match their intensity – Texas is going to pressure for 40 minutes. Handle their pressure.
• BOX OUT – No second-chance points. Guards need to crash the boards and finish the play with a box out.
• Defend without fouling – Don’t bail them out. Stay disciplined, move your feet, and keep them off the free throw line.
• Pressure them – Teams that pressure teams for 40 minutes do not like to be pressured.

Post Advantages

The Gamecocks have one of the deepest frontcourts in the tournament—whether it’s scoring inside, dominating the glass, or defending the paint, this group gives the Gamecocks an edge at wearing teams down.

Notables

Joyce Edwards is due for a post-season breakout game. I think this could be the game we see her really blossom. 

Post Play vs. Texas Post Play

• Texas brings size and length in the frontcourt, which was evident in three matchups against the Gamecocks where they outrebounded them only twice. To limit that, South Carolina’s posts must stay disciplined in boxing out and controlling the glass to limit second-chance points. Additionally, they can’t allow Texas to establish deep post position and be physical without fouling. On the offensive end, South Carolina’s bigs bring size and athleticism so they must stay aggressive by attacking Texas’ foul-prone frontcourt and give them multiple moves because they try to block all shots. Make them guard you and run on them on offense. The Gamecocks will need to establish their presence early and dictate pace.

Post Defense

• Use their depth to their advantage – Rotate fresh legs and wear them down.
• Own the Glass – No second chances. Box out, secure rebounds, and control the paint.
• Stay Out of Foul Trouble – Defend without fouling.
• Run the Floor – Use athleticism to beat their bigs down the court—set the tone in transition, and finish at the rim.

Keys to the Win

1. Keep the main thing, the main thing – Stay focused and handle business.
2. Set the tone early – Come out aggressive and establish control of the game from the start.
3. Lock in on defense – Disrupt their rhythm, pressure the ball, and take away the three.
4. Bench production – The Seatbelt Gang leads the nation with 42 bench PPG—depth will be a difference-maker.
5. Win the rebounding battle / WIN THE PAINT – When South Carolina wins the glass, they win the game!
6. Take care of the ball – Smart decisions, ball movement, and unselfish play will help with taking care of the ball.
7. Stay focused and execute – Lock in from the start. No let-ups.
8. Balanced scoring attack – When everyone eats, the Gamecocks WIN. 
9. Play hard, play smart, play disciplined, play and act like champions!
10. Have fun!

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🏀🔥 Markeshia Grant, who played two seasons for Dawn Staley, provides GamecockCentral readers with analysis of South Carolina women’s basketball. Don’t miss her unique insights and expert takes; sign up for the GamecocksW newsletter. 🔥🏀

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