Let the Madness begin: Everything to know about Gamecocks’ opening game against Howard
No. 1 South Carolina starts its 2022 NCAA tournament journey with a first-round game against 16th-seeded Howard Bison at 2 p.m. Friday.
The Gamecocks (29-2) get a chance to start their trek toward their ultimate goal of a national championship after falling in the SEC tournament finals to Kentucky their last time out.
USC still clinched the tournament’s top overall seed, thanks in large part to a competitive non-conference schedule that included an 11-0 record against AP Top 25 teams.
Even though South Carolina saw success against highly ranked non-conference opponents, head coach Dawn Staley noted a key difference in March: Win or lose in the regular season, you’ll play again. Lose in the tournament, and it’s over.
“Each game in the NCAA tournament just brings a different mentality,” Staley said. “The stakes are a little bit higher no matter what round it is.”
Here are three things to watch for as the Gamecocks take on the Bison (21-9) in USC’s first game of the 2022 NCAA women’s tournament.
USC starts road to national championship at home
Staley was surprised when senior point guard Destanni Henderson said it was her first time playing an NCAA tournament game at Colonial Life Arena, but it’s true.
The Gamecocks haven’t hosted the tournament since 2018, the year before Henderson joined the team as a freshman.
Hosting the first two rounds of the NCAAs adds a bittersweet feeling for Henderson, who is projected by ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel to go in the first round of this year’s WNBA draft.
“I’m ready to get it rocking, but at the same time, I’m gonna miss everything that comes along with it,” Henderson said. “I’m just really excited. I’m gonna give it my wall, just take it one step at a time.”
There’s an advantage to playing the tournament’s opening rounds in Columbia, Staley said. She’s in favor of keeping the first two rounds on the top 16 seeds’ home courts instead of moving to neutral sites for the early rounds.
“We build this fan base, we should be rewarded,” Staley said. “And this is the reward of building a strong fan base.”
Gamecocks look to bounce back from SEC tourney loss
South Carolina’s last two games in the SEC tournament involved fourth-quarter lapses that saw the Gamecocks give up big leads. USC was able to slide by Ole Miss in the quarterfinals, but its fourth quarter against Kentucky caused the Gamecocks to leave Nashville without the SEC tournament title.
The team has felt the moments of disappointment and moved past them, Henderson said. The momentum and energy in practice have been “different,” according to Henderson, and the Gamecocks feel good about their improvements heading into the tournament.
National Player of the Year candidate Aliyah Boston agreed, leaning on her key phrase: “Keep the main thing the main thing.” Staley said it’s the phrase that keeps the Gamecocks from getting distracted by anything other than winning the national championship.
“They’ve got goals,” Staley said. “If you’ve got a goal of winning the national championship, then you’ve got to prioritize. And that priority is winning the national championship. There’s nothing else.”
Boston, who carries a 24-game double-double streak into the tournament, earned AP All-American First Team honors this week, leading the Gamecocks in scoring and rebounding.
“Past games, no matter what’s happened, this is new tournament,” Boston said. “Here we go. It’s time to rock.”
Henderson corrected Boston at the podium, as she quickly corrected her statement.
“Time to dance,” Boston said, laughing. “I take it back.”
Howard Bison scouting report
Howard’s 55-51 win over Incarnate Word on Wednesday was wrapped up in history.
The Bison won the first-ever “First Four” game of NCAA women’s basketball history, with the tournament expanding to a 68-team field this season. Wednesday’s win was also Howard’s first NCAA tournament victory in program history.
The Bison earned a meeting with No. 1 South Carolina on the Gamecocks’ home court Friday, riding a four-game win streak with their conference title under their belt.
Howard beat Incarnate Word with a similar style to what the Gamecocks play — dominance on the boards and a vast advantage in second-chance points. The Bison out-rebounded the Cardinals by 20 (53 to 33), scoring 21 second-chance points while allowing just three to Incarnate Word.
The Bison had two players finish with a double-double against Incarnate Word. Senior forward/wing Krislyn Marsh finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds, two blocks and two steals, while junior forward Brooklynn Fort-Davis added 15 points with 11 rebounds.
“We prepare for every opponent the same exact way,” Staley said. “We cross our T’s and dot our I’s. There isn’t anybody that we disrespect in this game because it is March Madness.”
Watch South Carolina vs Howard in NCAA women’s basketball tournament
Who: No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks (29-2, 15-1 SEC) vs. No. 16 Howard Bison (21-9, 11-3 MEAC)
When: 2 p.m. Friday
Where: Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C.
This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 2:28 PM with the headline "Let the Madness begin: Everything to know about Gamecocks’ opening game against Howard."
