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That can just as easily be flipped the other way.
UConn was expected to struggle without Paige. The question was how much (and the answer, especially in game one, was emphatically "a lot"). As bad as it's been, at least the hope of getting players healthy again is, for the optimists, readily on hand.
What's South Carolina's excuse? All their big guns were in place. Which can't even be said about the 50th-ranked team they lost to. Something went very wrong, and the explanation isn't as easy or apparent as having their best player suddenly unavailable.
I'm not saying anyone should panic. Of course not. I still consider SC the clear favorite. But I'm sorry, this is a bad loss and it's just downright lazy to deflect that fact into "wow the SEC is tough". Missouri had done nothing in the nonconference to even look like a sure bet to make the NCAA tournament. No wins over the top 100 and got creamed by Missouri State.
Easy. The answer is maybe Missouri is a better team than the “rankings” show. Pingeton can coach and her teams always execute, usually their losses are due to poor shooting nights not because she was outcoached. They were a few bad calls away from beating Baylor in Waco.
The SEC is a pretty deep conference and Missouri is extremely well coached. This is a disappointing loss for South Carolina considering what Missouri was missing, but this is a much improved team from last year simply because they appear to have figured who they are as players. From the games I saw last year, you could see the potential. To act like they are some cream puff is a little off base.

