Another year, another NCAA tournament seeding controversy. But this time, it’s not just a questionable ranking—it’s a blatant pattern of disrespect. And if there’s one team that knows this feeling all too well, it’s South Carolina. Despite boasting the best résumé in the nation, Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks were denied the No. 1 overall seed. This wasn’t just a snub; it felt like a statement. How could the head coach not respond?
Well, she did. “I mean, I’m not in the room… Obviously, I think we did much more than probably any other overall No. 1 seed. We outdid ourselves even from last year,” she said. And honestly? She’s not wrong. South Carolina’s demotion to the No. 2 overall seed in favor of UCLA was baffling.
Translation? The selection committee moved the goalposts. The Gamecocks did everything right—built an elite schedule, beat the toughest teams, and still got slighted. Staley even hinted at rethinking their future scheduling, saying, “If the standard is the standard,” then maybe it doesn’t matter how tough their opponents are. That’s not just frustration—it’s a direct indictment of the system itself.
Dawn Staley’s reaction to not being the No. 1 overall seed at this year’s NCAA Tournament:
“I mean, I’m not in the room… Obviously, I think we did much more than probably any other overall No. 1 seed. We outdid ourselves even from last year.”@GamecockWBB | @wachfox pic.twitter.com/uuS9CwC20t
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) March 17, 2025
And the numbers back her up. South Carolina had 16 Quad 1 wins, more than any other team in the country. UCLA? Just 13. The Gamecocks also secured seven ranked wins, only one less than the Bruins. And let’s not forget the losses. South Carolina’s three defeats came against elite teams—UConn, Texas, and UCLA. Meanwhile, UCLA’s résumé had its flaws, including a double-digit loss to USC.
So what exactly gave UCLA the edge? Because if South Carolina can dominate the season, win the SEC, and still get overlooked, what does that say about the selection process? Well, this isn’t happening for the first time. The NCAA selection committee has long faced criticism for inconsistency, bias, and outright favoritism—decisions that leave analysts and fans alike scratching their heads.
And it’s not just the women’s tournament. The men’s bracket faced similar outrage as UNC got into the NCAA tournament despite having the least possible chances.
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