Gamecocks to Spokane? Latest Bracketology Projects Big Travel for Dawn Staley’s Team
The University of South Carolina Gamecocks may be in for an unexpected road trip if they continue their march toward the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 and Elite 8. After their loss to UConn on February 16, 2025, South Carolina remains a strong contender for a No. 1 seed in the tournament, according to ESPN’s latest bracketology from Charlie Creme. However, this year’s tournament journey may take them further than they’re used to, as they’re now projected to play in Spokane, Washington, instead of Birmingham, Alabama, for the regional rounds.
While the Gamecocks’ place in the top bracket is secure, the geography of the tournament is not as favorable as it has been in the past. Due to their three losses this season, South Carolina’s position as the No. 1 seed in the Spokane 4 region forces them into a much longer travel schedule for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, compared to their more familiar East Coast matchups.
In this latest projection, South Carolina would play its first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament in Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. In these opening rounds, the Gamecocks are expected to face either No. 16 seed UNC Greensboro or High Point, who are slated to compete in a First Four matchup. Should South Carolina emerge victorious in the first round, they would then take on the winner of the No. 8 seed Illinois versus No. 9 seed South Dakota State game in the second round. Both of these games would still be at home, in front of the Gamecocks’ loyal fan base.
However, if South Carolina continues to perform at a high level and advances through these initial rounds, they will face a major challenge: a long-distance flight to Spokane, Washington, for the regional rounds. This represents a significant departure from the past few years when the Gamecocks enjoyed closer regional matches, particularly in locations like Albany and Greenville. The trip to Spokane would involve a cross-country flight, contrasting the familiar quick drive of five to six hours to Birmingham, which has been the typical setting for previous NCAA Tournament regionals for South Carolina.
The loss to UConn, although a significant blow, does not appear to hurt the Gamecocks’ overall tournament chances. ESPN’s Charlie Creme had consistently placed South Carolina in the Birmingham region for much of the season, but with this latest bracketology update, the shift to Spokane indicates that their path to the Final Four could take them across the country. While the Gamecocks have been no strangers to travel during their NCAA Tournament runs, particularly when they made their way to Stockton, California, for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 en route to their first national championship, this trip to Spokane would be a first in recent memory.
South Carolina’s travel history in the NCAA Tournament has been mostly East Coast-centric for the past several years. In 2023, the Gamecocks had the luxury of playing in Greenville, a short hour-and-a-half drive away from their home court. The following year, they were based in Albany, a manageable four-hour flight away from Columbia. This was in line with the NCAA Tournament’s geographical design, which aimed to minimize travel time for the top teams while still maintaining a competitive balance. But with South Carolina’s current standing as a No. 1 seed, their proximity to their regional rounds is no longer guaranteed, and the prospect of longer road trips looms large.
The 2023 NCAA Tournament marked a shift in how the regional rounds are conducted. Instead of being divided across four regional locations for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, the tournament now only holds regional rounds in two locations per region. This change has impacted many teams, including South Carolina, which has become accustomed to less strenuous travel schedules.
Despite the travel challenges, the Gamecocks are no strangers to postseason pressure and adversity. Back when the program made history with its first NCAA national championship, South Carolina was forced to make a cross-country trip to California for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, a much longer haul than any of their previous NCAA Tournament runs. The challenge didn’t seem to faze them, and they ultimately claimed the title in 2022. The current team, led by head coach Dawn Staley, is poised to face whatever obstacles stand in their way, even if that means adjusting to a longer journey.
So, while the Gamecocks are accustomed to hosting games or playing regionally in nearby cities, the prospect of Spokane represents a new experience for the team and its fans. They may not have to worry about crossing time zones too often in the postseason, but if the latest bracketology holds, this year’s NCAA Tournament could take them further from home than they’ve been in years.
However, there’s no denying the Gamecocks’ track record. They’ve shown time and time again that their focus isn’t on where they play, but how they play. For Staley’s squad, the road to the Final Four might involve a few more hours on a plane, but their dedication and skill could easily overcome any travel woes they face along the way.
With Selection Sunday still weeks away, there’s plenty of basketball to be played before the final seedings are set. While projections are ever-changing, one thing is certain: whether it’s Spokane or somewhere closer to home, the Gamecocks will be prepared for whatever the NCAA Tournament throws their way. And as the season unfolds, fans can expect more bracket updates that might shift their expectations yet again.