Stephanie White Doubts South Carolina Can Beat UConn

The Indiana Fever head coach and ESPN analyst believes Texas poses a bigger threat to the Huskies.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:20am

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Stephanie White, the head coach of the Indiana Fever and a basketball analyst for ESPN, believes that the University of Connecticut Huskies' biggest challenge in the NCAA Tournament will come from the University of Texas, not the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. White cited South Carolina's lack of "offensive firepower" as the reason she doesn't think the Gamecocks can keep up with the dominant Huskies.

Why it matters

White's assessment is notable given her extensive experience coaching at both the college and professional levels, as well as her work as a basketball analyst. Her critique of South Carolina's chances against UConn could ruffle feathers, especially since the Gamecocks' star player, Aliyah Boston, plays for White's Fever team in the WNBA.

The details

White, who previously coached at Vanderbilt University, said that while she would "always give an outside look to South Carolina" because of their experience, she "just doesn't think this South Carolina team has enough offensive firepower to keep up with UConn." The Huskies have been dominant throughout the season and are widely expected to win another national championship.

  • White made these comments during a March 26, 2026 segment on ESPN.

The players

Stephanie White

The head coach of the Indiana Fever in the WNBA and a basketball analyst for ESPN.

Aliyah Boston

The star player for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks who also plays for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team.

University of Connecticut Huskies

The dominant women's basketball team that is widely expected to win another national championship.

University of Texas

The team that Stephanie White believes poses the biggest threat to the University of Connecticut Huskies in the NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“That's a good question. Because they're so good, they're so efficient, they're so deep. You know, I think there are two teams that stand out to me. Texas, number one.”

— Stephanie White, Indiana Fever Head Coach and ESPN Analyst

“I would always give an outside look to South Carolina, certainly, because they have the experience, they've been there before. I just don't think this South Carolina team has enough offensive firepower to keep up with UConn.”

— Stephanie White, Indiana Fever Head Coach and ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament will continue, with the University of Connecticut Huskies and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks potentially facing off later in the tournament.

The takeaway

Stephanie White's assessment of the University of South Carolina's chances against the dominant University of Connecticut Huskies could stir up some controversy, especially given her close connection to Gamecocks star Aliyah Boston. However, White's extensive coaching experience and media analysis role lend credibility to her perspective, even if it goes against the conventional wisdom surrounding the South Carolina-UConn matchup.