South Carolina Head Coach Dawn Staley Comments on Kamila Cardoso’s Status Ahead of March Madness
Ahead of undefeated South Carolina’s (32-0) round of 64 March Madness tournament game against No. 16 seed Presbyterian (21-14), head coach Dawn Staley explained star center Kamila Cardoso’s status for Friday’s contest.
When asked if Cardoso would be forced to miss the opener, Staley confirmed. “That’s what they [NCAA] told me.”
During the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship game between South Carolina and defending national champion LSU (28-5) on March 10, an on-court altercation resulted in benches clearing with 2:08 remaining.
A loose ball foul by LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson on South Carolina freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley was followed by Johnson’s teammate Ashlyn Watkins throwing an elbow at Fulwiley. The 6 foot 7 inches tall Cardoso injected herself into the scuffle, shoving down the much smaller Watkins in the process.
Per NCAA rules, all players who left their respective sidelines during the fight were ejected from the game. Cardoso, who was ejected from the game for fighting rather than leaving the bench, was subjected to a one game suspension. Barring a monumental upset in the first round, Cardoso would return in South Carolina’s second round game against the winner of the No. 8 seed North Carolina Tar Heels and No. 9 seed Michigan State Spartans.
“We all know that we’re a better basketball team when Kamilla Cardoso is in the lineup,” Staley said. “We’ll make do hopefully until she’s able to come back.”
South Carolina vs. Presbyterian will tip-off Friday at 2:00 p.m.
