Light it up: From Paris to Vegas, No. 1 South Carolina hopes to again excel in high-profile opener
FILE - South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley celebrates with her team after the Final Four college basketball championship game against Iowa in the women's NCAA Tournament, April 7, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Carolyn Kaster]
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — No. 1 South Carolina started its run to perfection a year ago in the City of Lights. The Gamecocks open the defense of their national title in another high-glam local in Las Vegas, hoping it sparks a run to a second straight national title and third in four seasons. Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley said such high-profile starts usually mean a challenging opponent where her team could see how far they have to go. A year ago, they ran past No. 10 Notre Dame 100-71. This time, they face Michigan, which has been to six of the past seven NCAA Tournaments.
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South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley stands on the court during the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic NCAA college basketball exhibition game against Memphis Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Brandon Dill