Basketball coach Dawn Staley recently found herself in a surprising and frustrating situation at an airport when a security guard refused to let her through security.

The incident occurred when Staley, who had just finished a trip, arrived at her gate and was stopped by a security officer. Despite her attempts to explain that she was the coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks and needed to make her flight, the security guard insisted on following protocol and refused to let her pass.

Rather than getting upset, Staley remained calm and composed, using the moment as an opportunity to teach. With a smile, she told the security officer, “I understand you’re doing your job, but this is a moment for us both to get this right.” She politely offered to show her credentials and calmly waited for the issue to be resolved.

Her response was filled with patience and understanding, and soon enough, the situation was cleared up. The security guard apologized, recognizing who Staley was, and she was allowed to board.

Staley’s handling of the situation showcased her remarkable grace and ability to remain level-headed in the face of adversity, earning praise from fans and onlookers alike.

Texas at South Carolina: Storylines, odds for Sunday’s top-five women’s basketball matchup

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks walks across the court after an NCAA women's basketball game against South Florida Bulls at Colonial Life Arena on December 15, 2024 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Dawn Staley and dynastic South Carolina are the reigning champions. Vic Schaefer and Texas are seeking their first national title since 1986. Sunday’s clash is stocked with intrigue, as the Longhorn’s top-ranked offense travels to the Gamecocks as slight road underdogs.

How to watch No. 5 Texas at No. 2 South Carolina

Venue: Colonial Life Arena — Columbia, S.C.
Time: 1 p.m. ET Sunday
TV: ESPN
Streaming: Fubo (try for free)
Watching in-person? Get tickets on StubHub.

Texas has hovered between fourth and sixth in this season’s AP poll. No team in Division I puts more points on the board, paced by All-American Madison Booker. The sophomore forward has upped her efficiency and is a few made free throws shy of a 50/40/90 effort. In Thursday’s demolition of No. 18 Alabama, Booker had 21 points on spectacular 8-of-10 shooting. She’s capable of initiating her own offense and popping out from behind the arc with an array of ball fakes and drive moves that immobilize opponents.

This team lives at the rim and along the foul line. And it consistently wins the turnover battle, coming into Sunday at +30 in three conference games. Eight players average at least one full steal, and senior guard Rori Harmon is putting together another all-defense campaign with 2.6 takeaways per game. Elsewhere, sixth-year big Taylor Jones is third in the SEC in blocked shots, and junior Kyla Oldacre is pulling down almost four offensive rebounds per contest in less than 19 minutes of floor time.

The Longhorns are stellar on defense and a tough out overall, with their one loss coming in overtime at steely Notre Dame. They are 3-1 against ranked teams, but South Carolina will be their most evolved and all-encompassing challenge to date. The defending champs are on a 10-game winning streak, with convincing double-digit victories over No. 8 Duke and No. 9 TCU.

Freshman Joyce Edwards is a bucket off the bench, leading the Gamecocks in scoring despite playing less than 20 minutes per game. And senior Te-Hina Paopao has a well-rounded game with a career 40.8 percent 3-point mark. Aside from its six-point opening-night win over Michigan, every South Carolina win has been a blowout this season. Its one loss came at UCLA, with Staley’s team unable to overcome a Bruins barrage in the first two periods.

In Thursday’s 41-point domination of Texas A&M, the Gamecocks’ offense was firing at max strength. This MiLaysia Fulwiley transition basket was mesmerizing:

 

Sabreena Merchant’s New Year’s resolution for South Carolina: “Get to line more. The Gamecocks have several positive offensive indicators: They take a ton of shots at the rim, dominate the offensive glass (which results in nearly 10 more shot attempts per game than their opponents), and don’t turn over the ball. The one thing missing for South Carolina is a steady diet of free throws.”

For Texas: “Put up 3s. The Longhorns have an elite defense, but it’s hard to take them seriously as a championship contender in 2025 when they’ve made 63 total 3-pointers through 17 games … Texas needs a little more variety on offense; ideally, Shay Holle gets going from long range, but the spacing has to come from someone.”