Ta’Niya Latson joined the South Carolina Gamecocks in April 2025 after three seasons with the Florida State Seminoles. In her first season, she has helped the Gamecocks advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
The players who have been in South Carolina from the beginning of their college careers are used to being in the Sweet 16. However, for Latson, it’s a new experience, and she’s enjoying the moment probably more than others.
The Gamecocks registered a blowout 101-61 win over the USC Trojans in the second round of March Madness to qualify for the Sweet 16. After the win, Latson spoke to ABC Columbia’s Noah Chast.
When asked whether the blowout wins have become the norm for the Gamecocks and whether no one cares about them anymore, Latson said, “I care.” The Gamecocks won the first round matchup against the Southern Jaguars 103-34, one of the biggest win margins this season.
Latson said that this is the standard of basketball in South Carolina, where they dominate games at both ends of the floor.
“It’s the standard,” she said. “This is something that they’re used to. This is my first Sweet 16, so I’m gonna go home and enjoy myself and have a good time.”
Latson added that she can’t “act too foreign” about being in the Sweet 16, or she’ll be in trouble with her teammates. She revealed that Joyce Edwards was looking at her “crazy” while she was celebrating the second-round win.
Even though this is her first Sweet 16 appearance and she’s very excited about it, Latson wants to be calm and confident so that she can prepare for the next game against the Oklahoma Sooners.
Ta’Niya Latson Joined the Gamecocks to Win
The South Carolina Gamecocks, the LSU Tigers, and the UConn Huskies are three of the teams that have dominated basketball in recent years. Players associated with these programs have developed a habit of winning games and titles.
Latson revealed that when she decided to enter the transfer portal, she was looking to join a program where she would have opportunities to win games, too.
“I came here to win, and that’s something that we’ve been doing. I mean, this is my first Sweet 16, so I’m super excited. This may be the standard for them, but this is my first one,” she said.
Now that she’s in the Sweet 16, Latson is hungry for more and wants to make an even deeper run. Winning the NCAA title with South Carolina is her ultimate goal.
Read More:
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in College Football, Men’s College Basketball, Women’s College Basketball, and College Baseball!
