No. 1 Gamecocks focused on Georgia with No. 2 UConn up next

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The countdown to Connecticut is on — and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley realizes there’s little she or her top-ranked Gamecocks can do to squelch the anticipation of next week’s No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown.

But the Huskies don’t have next on the Gamecocks’ slate, that would be No. 22 Georgia on Thursday night. Staley and South Carolina (21-0, 9-0 Southeastern Conference) are not looking past Georgia, but they are constantly being reminded of their Feb. 9 matchup with the defending national champions.

Staley felt the rising excitement about the Connecticut game and asked her players if they were thinking about the high-profile matchup.

Some said they were, but nonetheless the coach said her group has done well staying in the moment and will be ready to pay Georgia.