What we know about the NCAA tournament implications of the South Carolina-LSU matchup

The rivalry between SEC foes LSU and South Carolina reached new heights when an altercation broke out during the conference championship game on Sunday. Multiple players were ejected and Gamecocks center Kamilla Cardoso has been suspended for the first game of the NCAA tournament, the SEC confirmed The Athletics on Monday.

Wondering what happened between the two national title contenders and how it could impact their March Madness runs? Here’s a look at Sunday’s scuffle and what it could mean for the future:

What is the history?

A highly competitive matchup between the national title contenders in late January, in which South Carolina overcame a five-point halftime deficit to win 76-70, raised the stakes of their eventual postseason meeting. Then both teams entered the final game of the conference tournament after emotional semifinals. South Carolina narrowly escaped Tennessee thanks to Kamilla Cardoso’s stunning 3-pointer — the first of her career — while LSU players said they were playing the title game for teammate Last-Tear Poa, who left the Tigers’ Saturday game on a stretcher after an injury . concussion in the fourth quarter.

What happened on Sunday?

Before the late-game exchange, players traded barbs, and moments of called (and uncalled) chippy contact boiled over to a point where the scuffle broke out.

LSU star Angel Reese and Cardoso went back and forth throughout the game, with Reese pulling Cardoso’s hair with 5:15 left in the second quarter and then Cardoso pushing Reese around the 4:34 mark. A second later, Reese was called for an intentional foul for elbowing Cardoso in the face. Cardoso was also in big trouble when she went to the bench after getting her third early in the third quarter.

The scuffle broke out with just over 2 minutes left on the game clock when LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson pulled on the jersey of South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley, slowing her progress as she dribbled across the floor. Johnson then ran into South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins. Cardoso sprinted over and pushed Johnson to the ground.

LSU and South Carolina players clashed in the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship. pic.twitter.com/rXw1tb1jWM

— ESPN (@espn) March 10, 2024

The benches were mostly cleared as players ran to the center of the court before the coaches separated their respective teams. A fan, identified on ESPN’s broadcast as Johnson’s brother, left the stands and jumped over the scorer’s table, and was briefly on the field before police escorted him off the floor.

Johnson’s brother, identified as Trayron Milton, was arrested for disorderly conduct, assault and battery. Milton was booked into a Greenville County jail.

Who was sent out? Why?

After a delay of about 20 minutes, officials called Johnson for an intentional foul and ejected Cardoso. They also ejected every player from each team’s bench for leaving their respective bench areas, with the exception of South Carolina’s Sania Feagin, who did not leave the Gamecocks’ bench area, and Te-Hina Paopao, who was already at the scorer’s table to to join the jury. game. Feagin replaced Cardoso on the ground after the ejection.

Why was Cardoso suspended?

She was suspended for being ejected for fighting, which is mandated by NCAA rules. The other excluded players were thrown out of the match for leaving the bench area. Because they were not disqualified for fighting, these players received no suspensions.

Will her absence affect South Carolina in the NCAA tournament?

Unlikely. Although Cardoso will miss the opening game of the tournament, the Gamecocks will still be the heavy favorites as the No. 1 overall seed on Selection Sunday and will face an overmatched No. 16 seed. In the past five tournaments, South Carolina has won its first match with an average of 29.8 points.

Watkins, who is averaging 9.7 points and 7.1 rebounds, will likely step up to fill Cardoso’s absence.

What players and coaches said after the game

Reese said she had never played in a match like Sunday’s championship, but called it “two heavy hitters” battling.

LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Cardoso pushing Johnson was “inappropriate” and referenced their height difference. Cardoso is 6-foot-1 and Johnson is 5-10.

“It’s ugly. It’s not good. Nobody wants to be a part of that. Nobody wants to see that ugliness. But I can tell you this: I wish she would have pushed Angel Reese. Don’t push a child – (you are) 1, 80 yards. Don’t push someone that little,” Mulkey said. “Let those two girls that were jawing, let them get to it.”

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said she took responsibility for what happened on the Gamecocks’ end, adding that Johnson approached her after the game.

“Flau’jae came to me after the game, right after the game, she apologized and said she wasn’t that type of player. I really appreciate that. That’s something someone will never hear if I didn’t say anything. And she isn’t. She’s a really good person. Things just escalated,” Staley said.

Cardoso took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share her apology.

“My behavior was not representative of who I am as a person or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any inconvenience or inconvenience this may have caused. I take full responsibility for my actions and assure you that I will conduct myself with the utmost respect and sportsmanship in the future,” the senior said.

I would like to sincerely apologize for my actions during today’s match. My behavior was not representative of who I am as a person or of the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any inconvenience or inconvenience this may have caused. I take full responsibility for my…

— Kamilla_Cardoso (@Kamillascsilva) March 10, 2024

Required reading

(Photo: Eakin Howard/Getty Images)