Brea Beal is not only South Carolina’s X factor in one of the best defenses in the country, but also a four-year lesson in sacrifice and reinvention that could add a second straight NCAA title to her resume.
Beal typically ranks third when thinking of the landmark recruiting class from 2019 led by Herald All-Americans Aliyah Boston and Zia Cook. But she may have the most important role in the Final Four, with Iowa’s All-American Caitlin Clark most likely in the national semifinals.
The Gamecocks (36-0) face the Hawkeyes (30-6) in the other game on Friday night in Dallas, with the winner playing either LSU or Virginia Tech for the national title on Sunday.
Beal, who has started 136 of 137 games in his four seasons, and his senior teammates racked up championships during their time together. They have won three Southeastern Conference tournament titles, won three straight Final Fours, and are chasing their second NCAA crown.
Beal counters the opponent’s best player and, more often than not, limits his effectiveness—a role that took Beal time to embrace.
“It definitely came with some hardship, but the whole time I just went into it,” she said at the Greenville 1 Regional last weekend.
This was not a path Biel had envisioned following a prestigious presenting career. She was a three-time Illinois Ms. Basketball from Rock Island High School, averaging 20 or more points a game in her final three seasons. Beal joined Candace Parker and Tamika Catchings as the only in-state players to earn that award as a sophomore.
Beal was expected to make the offensive impact that Boston and Cook had made with the Gamecocks.
“It’s not necessarily that I was like, ‘I’m this defender, I’m the best defender,'” Beal said. “It came naturally, as well as aggressively, it’s just something you have to be patient and accept as time goes by.”
Gamecocks coach Don Staley sees Beal’s value as more than what he does on the court. Beal, sometimes overlooked behind Boston and Cook, didn’t complain about transferring or his scoring in the Portal era. He has put his head down, Staley said, and has made himself an essential part of the undefeated national champion.
It took her time to “really relax and see where she could be dominant,” Staley said. “Now that she’s a senior, she sees it.”
Clarke, the Iowa star, will have one of Beale’s toughest assignments. Clark had a triple-double – 41 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds – in a 97–83 win over Louisville as the Hawkeyes advanced to their first Final Four in 30 years.
Clark isn’t one-dimensional — “I pride myself on doing a lot of different things for this team,” she said — and Beal understands it will take a team effort to slow her down.
South Carolina has relied on its defense throughout Beal’s run and this year’s run is no different. The Gamecocks lead the nation in blocks and rebound margin, are second in field-goal percentage defense, and third in points allowed.
Cook believes it is Beal’s defensive focus with all Gamecocks trying to increase their intensity on that side of their game. Cook said, “He’s the one who taught us how to play defense.” “Especially me. Just watching her and all the things she does definitely rubbed off on me.
Cook’s offense may have elevated Beal’s play recently. Beal has scored in double digits in eight games this season, seven of which have come since the beginning of February. He had 10 points in an 86–75 win over Maryland in the Sweet 16 and 10 in a 59–43 win over UCLA in the Elite Eight.
Once considered the most likely to play an additional season for the freshman class of 2019, the double threat is on the rise in the WNBA Mock Draft. ESPN.com projects him to be drafted seventh overall in next month’s draft, going to the Indiana Fever in the first round.
Biel isn’t worried about her professional prospects or enjoying what she’s accomplished. She only wants to finish her college career with one more championship moment — and that means dialing down the defense.
“We are a defensive-minded team,” he said. “When we get into this part of the season, we definitely need our defense out there, every single one.”