DAWN STALEY CONFIRMS WHERE SOUTH CAROLINA'S 2024 SEASON OPENER WILL TAKE PLACE

South Carolina will open the 2024-25 women's college basketball season in Sin City, head coach Dawn Staley has confirmed.

During an appearance on 107.5 The Game on Wednesday, the 54-year-old shared that the Gamecocks will be playing in Las Vegas to start their season. Staley also explained how other teams in the country seemingly are not interested in playing the defending champions.

"It's really hard because people don't want to play us," Staley told the station, per The State. "And, I mean, really good teams don't want to play. And I just don't get it."

READ MORE: MiLaysia Fulwiley made Dawn Staley laugh yet impressed South Carolina coach with lineup pledge

READ MORE: WNBA star Aliyah Boston warns of 'pure hatred' threatening to spoil women's basketball

This marks the second straight season South Carolina will have played its season opener elsewhere. Last year, the Gamecocks tipped off their season in Paris, beating Notre Dame 100-71 in the first NCAA basketball game to be played in Europe.

Although South Carolina lost seven seniors before the start of the 2023-24 season, the Gamecocks were able to ride Kamilla Cardoso to a national title triumpjh. The Brazilian star scored 20 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked four shots in just 24 minutes of action while MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 17 points, dished out six assists and had six steals in the win.

After the victory, Staley admitted having a team like South Carolina, which lost so many talented players, was like starting over from scratch. "It was really a blank canvas," Staley said at the time, referencing her visit to the Louvre days before the game. "But the chemistry that they're building is very special."

READ MORE: Caitlin Clark has emotional reunion with Gabbie Marshall after home debut for Indiana Fever

The chemistry the Gamecocks built throughout the season turned out to be special as the team went undefeated, en route to winning the national championship. South Carolina is the first team to go undefeated and win the tournament since UConn in 2016.

It also marked the third time the Gamecocks have won the national title, doing so in 2017 and 2022. Of note, All three of South Carolina's championships have come with Staley coaching the team to glory.

Over the last three seasons, Staley has coached the Gamecocks to a 109-3 record, with 10 of her players earning 25 All-America selections, two National Players of the Year and National Freshman of the Year. With how dominant South Carolina has been under Staley, it stands to reason why teams are second-guessing their chances against the Gamecocks.

Of note, LSU opened the 2023-24 season against Colorado in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena, which saw the Tigers fall to the Buffaloes, 92-78.

Staley will have time to figure out who the Gamecocks will face as typically, schedules are not finalized until September. However, it is expected South Carolina will play UCLA, UConn, East Carolina, and Duke, among other teams, at some point in the season due to their obligations. For now, it remains to be seen who South Carolina will take on in Las Vegas.

2024-05-08T23:22:43Z dg43tfdfdgfd