The No. 4 South Carolina Gamecocks are set to take on the No. 7 UConn Huskies this Sunday in a top-10 women’s basketball matchup. College GameDay is heading to Colonial Life Arena for the first time this season for the game.
The Gamecocks are 5-9 against UConn all-time, but South Carolina has won the past four matchups, stretching back to 2021.
Both the Gamecocks and the Huskies suffered losses last week against ranked opponents. The Gamecocks look to bounce back from their conference loss against No. 3 Texas at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
The Gamecocks lost to Texas 66-62, and South Carolina lost its No. 2 spot in the AP poll as a result, dropping to No. 4. The Longhorns put on a defensive show, holding all Gamecocks but sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley to under 10 points. Fulwiley put up 13 points during the game. The Longhorns managed a win without making a single three-point shot.
Head Coach Dawn Staley gave recognition to the Longhorns and their efficient effort against her team on Sunday.
“I thought it was a well coached game on both sides of the ball,” Staley said. “I thought they out-toughed us for three out of the four quarters.”
The Huskies also suffered a 4-point loss, 80-76, against the No. 19 Tennessee Lady Volunteers and new head coach Kim Caldwell.
Both teams are led by well-known and successful coaches. Geno Auriemma enters his 40th season with the UConn Huskies. He currently holds the title as the winningest NCAA basketball coach of all time, across both women and men's. Auriemma has led the team to 11 national titles and 23 Final Fours. Staley has coached her team to three national titles and eight SEC tournament championships, all in just 16 years. She has not lost a home game since 2021, making this matchup at Colonial Life Arena a pivotal game for the Gamecocks.
"I thank Geno for continuing to play us," Staley said. "He's helped us grow. His program has helped our program grow, and that's what you want."
In last year’s matchup between the Gamecocks and the Huskies, the Gamecocks took a 83-65 win despite playing without standout center Kamilla Cardoso. Former junior guard Te-Hina Paopao led that game with 21 points, made possible by a 5-7 effort behind the arc.
Then-junior guard Paige Bueckers and senior forward Aaliyah Edwards of UConn scored 20 points apiece in that game, but it wasn’t enough to cover the depth of the Gamecocks.
"Our players are committed to the process," Staley said after their 2024 win over the Huskies. "You're fortunate enough to have players who don't get a whole lot of minutes step up in big way. That means we're doing something right."
Both teams boast star-studded rosters this time around as well. South Carolina has five players averaging over 8 points a game this season, led by freshman forward Joyce Edwards, who averages 12.2 points a game. UConn has four players averaging over 8 points a game, led by senior guard Paige Bueckers who averages 18.8 points a game. According to an ESPN WNBA mock draft, Bueckers is expected to go No. 1 in the WNBA draft, and South Carolina's Paopao is not far behind at No. 9.
Two of the best guards in the nation, Paopao and Bueckers, will be head-to-head in Sunday's game. So far this season Paopao is averaging 10.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and a 47.1 FG% per game. After suffering a series of knee injuries during her tenure with the Huskies, Bueckers has posted an average of 18.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2 steals a game. Both are top-10 candidates for the 2025 Nancy Lieberman award.
In another much-anticipated matchup, Edwards and UConn's freshman forward Sarah Strong are scheduled to face off. Strong was ranked No. 1 in the 2024 recruiting class, and Edwards was not far behind her in the same class at No. 2. Edwards is posting 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and a 57.3 FG% per game so far with the Gamecocks. Strong has an edge on Edwards, boasting 16.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and a 57.7 FG% per game with the Huskies. Both of the former Gatorade Players of the Year have been making waves in their debut years, and have been recognized as Freshman of the Week in their respective conferences.
South Carolina enters the week 22-2 and in a three-way tie for first in the SEC. The Gamecocks' losses came against UCLA and Texas. Staley remains confident in her team even after the shortcomings.
“I’m just glad they didn’t get us where we can’t survive,” Staley said. “We still control our own destiny.”
Staley has always been an advocate for tough schedules. She believes that non-conference games and tough road games make her team stronger and more prepared for the future.
“It’s added comfort when you’ve played a UCLA at UCLA,” Staley said. “We’re prepared for the environment, we’re prepared for the competition, we just have to execute.”
The Huskies are 23-3 entering the game, and sit atop the Big East at 14-0. UConn's losses have come against Notre Dame, Southern California and Tennesse. All were ranked in the AP Top 25 when they defeated the Huskies.
Prior to the matchup against each other both teams play conference games against unranked opponents. South Carolina faces the Florida Gators (12-12, 3-7) on Thursday night, and UConn improved to 23-3 after defeating the St. John’s Red Storm (13-10, 3-9) 78-40 on Wednesday night.
This matchup is the last non-conference game of the season for both teams.
“The reason that we do play the schedule that we play, the non-conference schedule, is you know, the league itself is unforgiving.” Staley said. “The league prepares you for this type of game regardless.”
The Gamecocks (22-2, 10-1 SEC) host the Huskies (23-3, 14-0 Big East) at Colonial Life Arena Sunday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ABC.