The price of sustained success is high expectations, and South Carolina women’s basketball has certainly paid that price to start the 2018-2019 season.
The Gamecocks haven’t been 4-4 to start a season since 2010 and have dipped to their lowest AP poll ranking since October 2013. Yes, USC has played four ranked teams, including three in the top 10, but after a national championship and four consecutive Sweet 16s, some fans have been surprised and anxious to see Dawn Staley’s program stumble against competition it has beaten in previous years.
Staley herself pushed back against any doom or gloom from observers and fans, insisting the squad’s high number of newcomers, issues with injuries and tough early slate combined for a worst-case scenario as far as wins and losses go, while the Gamecocks have actually progressed since the start of the year.