Making SC Stronger: Gamecock women eager to return to Final Four

Last year was about venturing into new territory. South Carolina had a goal of the Final Four all season, and achieved it.

This year, it’s about returning — and staying for one more game.

The No. 2 Gamecocks are set to begin their SEC schedule, a 16-game gauntlet that will determine just how good and how ready they are to get back to the Final Four. Two-time SEC regular-season champions with a combined 29-3 league record over the past two years, USC checks in with another undefeated mark (12-0) and is eager to win a third title.

It’s only one goal, though. The Gamecocks know their main goal waits in Indianapolis on the first weekend of April.

Dawn Staley hasn’t been shy about expressing her wish for a national championship. USC hasn’t played its best this year, but hasn’t lost.

Now’s the time to be at their best — which they hope has them playing as one of the last two teams in the country.

David Cloninger