What we know: South Carolina's SEC tourney ends with fight, multiple ejections - ESPN

Less than a week ago, we looked at No. 1 South Carolina and proclaimed the Gamecocks an overwhelming favorite to win the national championship in women's basketball. They remain the front-runner, but after an eventful SEC tournament, there are some questions.

Top-seeded South Carolina remained undefeated and won its eighth SEC tournament title, beating No. 2 seed LSU 79-72 in Sunday's final, but it was not an easy weekend for the Gamecocks. It started Friday with a closer-than-expected 79-68 victory over No. 9 seed Texas A&M.

Saturday, it appeared South Carolina would lose its first game this season. The Gamecocks had squandered a 23-point lead and were trailing No. 5 seed Tennessee by 2 points with 1.1 seconds left. But center Kamilla Cardoso made the first 3-pointer of her college career, saving South Carolina.

That set up Sunday's final matchup with LSU. The Tigers had their own scare Saturday, beating Ole Miss but losing guard Last-Tear Poa to a concussion in a frightening fall in which she hit her head on the court.

The Gamecocks defeated the Tigers 76-70 in their regular-season meeting Jan. 25. Sunday, tempers flared in the rematch. With just over 2 minutes left, LSU's Flau'jae Johnson intentionally fouled South Carolina's MiLaysia Fulwiley to prevent a breakaway layup. Johnson then shoved South Carolina's Ashlyn Watkins, and Johnson subsequently was shoved to the ground by Cardoso. Both benches emptied, with multiple players ejected.

It's expected that Cardoso, who was ejected for fighting, will be suspended for the Gamecocks' NCAA tournament opener.

ESPN weighs in on what we just saw at the SEC tournament and whether it impacts South Carolina's hopes of winning a third NCAA title.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley