Fresh off a season in which they fell short of a national title, head coach Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks are back in the NCAA Women's Tournament mix, hoping to hoist another National Championship.

Last season, the Gamecocks were shockingly knocked out of the tournament by a talented Iowa team led by Caitlin Clark.

Despite losing all five starters, including Aliyah Boston, who got drafted with the number one pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft; they are back and selected as the favorites to go all the way, winning it last in 2022.

NCAA Women's Tournament South Carolina Gamecocks

Staley continues to keep this team sharp this season as the Gamecocks enter as the number one seed for the third year in the NCAA Women's Tournament.

South Carolina finished the season undefeated in conference and in non-conference play for the second time in a row. And it looks like they can easily win it all again.

They have improved their offensive shooting, now at 49.7% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range; making them a well-rounded offense.

The Gamecocks improved three-point shooting has come from guards Te-Hina Paopao, who has arrived as one of the best 3-point shooters in the country, shooting a scorching 47.1%; and Bree Hall who is another sniper, shooting 40% from the downtown.

Kamilla Cardoso has looked like a star under Staley, posting 14.0 points per game for a talented South Carolina team, with seven players averaging eight or more.

NCAA Women's Tournament South Carolina Gamecocks Road to the Natty

South Carolina may have an easier path to a National Championship than last season.

They are a deep club with not just size but great play as well.

The Gamecocks take on No.16 Presbyterian in the first round, a team they could easily beat based on their star power alone.

They could likely see Michigan St. or North Carolina, two clubs that could potentially pose a threat to South Carolina.

Their challenge likely comes in the Sweet 16. South Carolina could potentially see an experienced FGCU team that is no stranger to the NCAA Women's Tournament or even a well-rounded Indiana team.

The question is how the Gamecocks will fare against a team like Iowa or LSU if matched up again?

Iowa knocked out the Gamecocks in the final four last season behind a brilliant performance from Caitlin Clark, who dropped 41 points.

It's no secret that the rivalry between LSU and South Carolina has occasionally become snippy at times.

Could the South Carolina Gamecocks get over the hump and defeat LSU in the NCAA Women's Tournament?