Many fans knew after South Carolina beat Texas women's basketball in conference play that both teams would end up in the SEC Conference Championship game. Well, that day has come as the Longhorns get ready to take on the Gamecocks for the SEC Conference title.
South Carolina HC Dawn Staley is known for having some really good teams that have a shot of winning the National Championship every year. It's going to be one of those games where every possession Texas has needs to count.
Let's take a look at four keys of the game for Texas if they want to win the SEC Championship and lock up their No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament:
1. Capitalize on your turnovers
One thing about South Carolina is that they are such a good scoring team; you have to capitalize on your turnovers if you want to beat them. Texas did a good job of that in the first half last night against the Ole Miss Rebels. There was a good highlight of Booker last night, stripping the ball from a Rebel and driving to the basket for two points.
If Texas doesn't capitalize on its turnovers this afternoon, it will be another year of South Carolina winning the SEC.
2. Time for Madison to show why she should have been the SEC Player of the Year
Booker had 31 points against the Rebels last night, which was the first of her career. If Texas wants to win the SEC this season, Booker needs to have one of those games where postseason award voters regret not giving her the Player of the Year award. Madison can take her game to the next level with another career performance this afternoon, and if her mid-range jump shots are falling, it might be a long afternoon for South Carolina.
3. Shut down Joyce Edwards and Raven Johnson
Two players on the Gamecocks need to be taken out of the game if Texas wants to win the Championship. Raven Johnson and Joyce Edwards combined for half of South Carolina's points against LSU. Texas really needs to force the Gamecocks to turn the ball over this afternoon.
If either of these players can't be stopped, Texas will be going home empty-handed for a second-straight season
4. Kyla needs to get a double-double
Kyla Oldacre was another key player who really helped the team win against Ole Miss last night. While she didn't get a double-double against the Rebels, she needs to get one today against the Gamecocks. She was getting into position under the rim and consistently scoring points off rebounds. She needs to step up her game this afternoon if the Longhorns want the championship.
Texas can win the game today; they just need a presence under the rim like Oldacre.