Dawn Staley Says One Key To South Carolina Success Is Practicing Against Men

ALBANY, N.Y. – The South Carolina women's basketball team entered the Sweet 16 undefeated and as huge favorites against the #4 Indiana Hoosiers. Dawn Staley and her #1-seeded team in the Albany Regional got a much bigger fight than they probably expected. But they survived and advanced – the only goal this time of year – and defeated Indiana, 79-75, on Friday night. 

Staley addressed the media on Saturday morning in Albany and made some interesting comments about what has helped prepare her team and put them in a place to win all 34 games they've played this season. One of the biggest factors? Practicing against men. 

"I have to credit our male practice squad, the Highlighters," Staley said. "The Highlighters are really, really, really good. Although a lot of times they beat us in practice, a lot of times they beat us, so it makes it easier when we're able to just come out and play our competition, because the Highlighters, no matter what the speed of our opponents is, they're much quicker. 

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts to a call during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers in the semifinals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the MVP Arena.

(Gregory Fisher/USA TODAY Sports)

"They do [everything] at a much faster pace. So, they've allowed us to see the game a little slower [because women's] teams aren't as quick as our Highlighters." 

That's fascinating commentary, since the "Highlighters" obviously aren't professional or even Division-I men's basketball players. They're just a group of guys who the team uses to practice against who are good at basketball. Yet, as Staley mentions, they consistently beat the best women's team in all of college basketball. 

How else can