WBB: Gamecocks mix celebration, disappointment in Tournament bid

South Carolina earned the second overall seed and the top seed in the Sioux Falls Region, it was announced Monday night. The seeding drew mixed reaction as South Carolina was not seeded in its preferred region.

With Connecticut the clear-cut number one overall seed, the only drama was whether South Carolina or Notre Dame, two teams whose only loss was to Connecticut, would get the desired Lexington, KY, region. Early in the selection show, the crowd that gathered at Colonial Life Arena for "The Encore" to watch the announcement erupted when South Carolina was announced as the second overall seed. The cheers turned to murmurs as they processed the rest of the announcement: "... in the Sioux Falls region."

For Gamecock fans, it seemed like the second slight in as many days following the men's omission from the tournament entirely. many fans had already bought tickets to the Lexington Region Adding further insult, Kentucky was announced as the number three seed in the Lexington Region, meaning it would get to play in its home arena despite being a lower seed. (Technically, Kentucky's home arena is Memorial Coliseum, allowing it to play in "neutral site" Rupp Arena, a distinction that defies all common sense and fairness.)

The crowd was much more subdued as it waited for the unveiling of the rest of the bracket than it was a year ago when the Gamecocks went up the interstate to Greensboro. Dawn Staley acknowledged the disappointment when she spoke to the fans, saying that she understands Sioux Falls may be too far to travel and that many people already had tickets to Lexington.

"You can still go to Lexington, and maybe do some scouting for us," Staley said.

Later, speaking with the media, Staley was a little more direct.

"It's pretty surprising," she said. "At the same time, we're not on the committee, we weren't in the room. We don't know what was behind it. But we've got to do our job. Our job is to open up on Friday night and take care of our business."

Like many great teams, the Gamecocks have had to look hard for - some would say invent - perceived slights to use as motivation. In the SEC Tournament, a comment by Andy Landers of the SEC Network that Kentucky could beat South Carolina turned into an "everyone picked against us" revenge tour. Tiffany Mitchell said she finds similar motivation in being sent to Sioux Falls.

"We know when we're on the road all we have is us," she said. "We have to take that same mindset, that we're on the road, with us."

All the concern over which region South Carolina is in looks past the fact that South Carolina must win its two games in Columbia for it to even matter. South Carolina opens play against 16 seed Jacksonville, which is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance. George Washington and Kansas State play in the 8-9 game, and the two winners meet in the second round.

Staley is unconcerned about the Gamecocks losing focus of the task at hand. She pointed out that the Gamecocks are used to having to travel, having gone to Seattle and Palo Alto in previous years, and not being able to play at home for the first two rounds until last year.

"This team has been through so much," Staley said. "The seniors on our basketball club have played in different environments, near and far. They want to win a national championship. Whatever road leads us to that, they're up for the challenge."

While South Carolina may have lost the benefit of a home crowd, it was given what some pundits have called an easy bracket. ESPN's Kara Lawson called it "favorable." South Carolina has already played, and beaten four of the top seven seeds. That includes fifth-seed Florida, who it could play in the Sweet Sixteen. On the other side of the region, #2 Arizona State, #3 Ohio State, and #7 Tennessee are all potential Elite Eight opponents. The experience helps given the quick turnaround tournament play requires.

"It's helpful in that you're familiar," Staley said. "You're not starting from scratch if we get to meet those teams. It's favorable in that sense. "

Of course, on the other side of the bracket is the gorilla in the room: Connecticut. A rematch between South Carolina and Connecticut would come in the National Championship game, and Connecticut, looking for its fourth straight title, would be a clear favorite.

"I think it is UConn's tournament to lose," Staley said. "They've been pretty successful the last three years. But on any given day, in any given year... That's what the other 63 teams are thinking. I know that's what the young ladies I represent are thinking."

Notes:

Baylor is the fourth one seed, in the Dallas Region. ... Nine SEC teams made the tournament. In addition to South Carolina, Texas A&M (#3 in Dallas Region), Kentucky (#3 in Lexington Region), Mississippi State (#5 in Bridgeport Region), Florida (#5 in Sioux Falls Region), Tennessee (#7 in Sioux Falls Region), Georgia (#8 in Lexington Region), Auburn (#9 in Dallas Region), and Missouri (#10 in Bridgeport Region) all made the tournament. ... South Carolina played five other tournament teams earlier this season. UConn (#1 in Bridgeport Region), Arizona State (#2 in Sioux Falls Region), Ohio State (#3 in Sioux Falls Region), UCLA (#3 in Bridgeport Region), and UNC Asheville (#14 in Lexington Region) all made the field. ... Surprisingly, Duke did not make the tournament, snapping a 21-year streak. ...