For the first time in its program history, the USC women's basketball team took part in official NCAA duties as the reigning national champion.
Thursday's schedule featured all four teams in the Columbia Regional taking part in news conferences and workouts at the Colonial Life Arena. USC is the overwhelming favorite to advance to the Sweet 16 and the Albany Regional. Thus begins the rub. USC head coach Dawn Staley made it clear on Selection Monday she was none too thrilled to be shipped off to Albany instead of a closer venue where USC fans could have an easier time making the trip. The Albany Regional is where the number one overall seed UCONN figures to be waiting. As a result, USC is flying under the radar as all the attention has been directed at Geno and the Huskies from Storrs.
"Yeah, we'll continue to play the underdog role because I don't think anybody has us cutting down the nets," Staley said.
"So we'll continue to play that role. We'll continue to focus in on what we need and not get ahead of ourselves. We're going to play one game at a time. That's kind of what we did last year and it worked in our favor."
Even with a national championship banner hanging in the rafters of the Colonial Life Arena, three-time SEC Player of the Year A'ja Wilson says this NCAA Tournament doesn't feel any different.
"In all my four years, there's been a target on our backs," Wilson said.
"So, it's really no difference. It's the same thing. I feel the same. I feel like we're all in a good place. I think we're meshing together very well. The chemistry's there. I think we played great in the SEC Tournament. We had production from everyone. That's always good, especially going into the tournament. So it doesn't feel different. I think we're the same South Carolina team, just a little bit more growth, a little bit more production from a lot of people and that's what you need at this time."