Sunday promises a heavyweight bout, as NCAA women’s basketball’s second annual USC vs South Carolina battle determines The Real SC.
Both squads enter undefeated. However, the No. 1 Gamecocks are coming off ranked wins over No. 19 Maryland and No. 23 UNC.
“I’m happy this team is finding an identity, and that identity starts with our defense,” South Carolina boss Dawn Staley said.
The home side will have to contain the No. 3 Trojans’ Big Three — JuJu Watkins, Jazzy Davidson, and Saniyah Hall — in order to defend its 2025 crown.
Watkins is posting 24.3 points per game in her first year back from a March 2025 ACL tear, while also leading the team in rebounds, assists, and steals.
“We definitely haven’t shied away from talking about the expectations,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb told JWS. “We know they exist, and we want to get the team ready with what that entails.”
Tune in: South Carolina takes on USC on Sunday at 1 PM ET (ABC).
