UConn's Tournament Win Haunts Gamecocks in LSU Showdown
South Carolina faces LSU in a heavyweight SEC battle, with former Gamecock MiLaysia Fulwiley adding drama after UConn ended USC's championship dreams.
The April loss to UConn ended South Carolina’s bid for back-to-back national championships and set off a chain of events that culminated with star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley transferring to LSU just days later.
“I mean, that’s the narrative that’s created the drum-up, the publicity for the game. For us, it’s not,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said of facing her former player. “She was treated as Mikaylah Williams (on the scout). She was treated as Flau’jae Johnson, going down the line.”
The Greenville News first reported Fulwiley’s transfer portal entry on April 11, five days after UConn’s upset victory derailed the Gamecocks’ championship run. The timing proved crucial as South Carolina had just welcomed back key players and added national leading scorer Ta’Niya Latson from the transfer portal.
Fulwiley’s departure stemmed from her desire to start, preferably at point guard. With Te-Hina Paopao returning and fifth-year point guard Raven Johnson coming back alongside new transfer Latson, starting opportunities became limited.
“I think it was time for a change of scenery,” Fulwiley told Louisiana reporters. “In college, we are blessed enough to have the opportunity to change if we want to. I just did what I wanted to do, which is change.”
The transfer has worked out for both sides. Fulwiley entered the portal with a “Do Not Contact” tag and committed to LSU on April 25 without visiting campus. She’s averaging 13.4 points per game compared to 11.7 in her sophomore season at South Carolina, though her turnover numbers have also increased.
“What I start with MiLaysia is turnovers,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said after Fulwiley recorded nine points and six turnovers in a loss at Texas. “She’s trying to make things happen. She’s trying to play two positions; one minute I got her at the point, then the next minute I have her on the wing.”
South Carolina has thrived despite the roster changes, sitting atop the SEC standings while dealing with injuries to guards Latson, Agot Makeer and backup point guard Maddy McDaniel.
The game carries major implications for both programs’ NCAA Tournament seeding, with ESPN’s “College GameDay” providing national television exposure. Both teams could meet again this season as they battle for SEC supremacy.
Fulwiley brought significant accomplishments to her South Carolina tenure, earning SEC Tournament MVP honors, SEC Sixth Woman of the Year recognition, and helping the Gamecocks reach last year’s national championship game with a crucial Sweet 16 performance.
The matchup represents more than individual storylines. Both programs are fighting for conference supremacy and favorable NCAA Tournament positioning, with the winner gaining significant momentum in a competitive SEC landscape.