South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said entering the NCAA Women's Tournament as the defending national champion is a nice label to hold.
"I like the defending national champions title," Staley said, "because it's something that doesn't come by very often. Absolutely, I like to hear that. But I don't think that does anything for our team in how they need to prep to win another one."
The Gamecocks play in the first round against North Carolina A&T on Friday night at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C.
South Carolina (26-6) is the No. 2 seed for the Albany Region, meaning the Gamecocks would be slotted against undefeated Connecticut if both teams avoid upsets to reach the regional final.