ESPN released its schedule for the fourth annual SEC/ACC Women's Basketball Challenge this week, as the 2026/27 NCAA women's basketball calendar begins to take shape.

The three-day event returns in December with 16 games across two days of action. All games will air across ESPN networks, including the ACC Network and SEC Network.

Top 10 Battles Lead SEC/ACC Women's College Basketball Slate

Games run December 2nd through December 3rd, as the event pairs teams from two of the deepest conferences in women's college basketball.

The upcoming slate features several blockbuster games with a premier December 3rd showdown serving as headliner. NCAA tournament runner-up South Carolina — ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 list — will travel to Durham to face No. 3 Duke.

Another Top 10 collision goes down just a day earlier as No. 8 Texas hosts No. 7 Louisville in Austin. On that same night, No. 10 LSU travels to Chapel Hill to face No. 9 North Carolina.

Those top-tier NCAA rivalries promise to bring even more attention on the women's conference challenge.

2026 SEC/ACC Women's College Basketball Challenge Lineup

The event continues to draw larger audiences, with the 2025 Women's Challenge posting a 27% year-over-year viewership gain.

South Carolina vs Louisville drew 598,000 viewers, while LSU vs Duke pulled in 549,000 as the two most-watched matchups of last year's run.

The full 2026 Women's Challenge Schedule includes:

Wednesday, December 2nd

Thursday, December 3rd

Dawn Staley and South Carolina just pulled off one of the biggest wins of the NCAA women's basketball offseason, successfully recruiting five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards — the Class of 2026's No. 3 overall prospect.

Dawn Staley Details Re-Recruiting Oliviyah Edwards

Edwards originally committed to Tennessee last August, signing her National Letter of Intent with the Lady Vols in November.

But a coaching staff shakeup alongside a wave of roster departures in Knoxville changed her path. Edwards subsequently requested a release from her commitment in April.

South Carolina moved quickly once Edwards reopened her recruitment. She visited Columbia in mid-April alongside Texas transfer Jordan Lee. Staley praised her staff and players for making the visit count.

"I just felt like our coaches, our administrators, our players did a really great job when she came on her visit," Staley told The State.

Staley also acknowledged that the Gamecocks were already on Edwards's radar before she signed with Tennessee.

"We were on her list," Staley added. "She was talking to a few of us. She was supposed to come visit us before she committed to Tennessee."

However, when former Lady Vols assistant Gabe Lazo left to coach UCF, the 6-foot-3 forward decided to reconsider her choice of schools.

She ultimately committed to South Carolina on April 27th, sharing on social media that "sometimes it takes twice to get it right."

How Oliviyah Edwards Fits Into South Carolina Women's Basketball

The Tacoma, Washington native brings both athleticism and dunking ability to the South Carolina women's basketball court.

Staley praised her elite skill set and competitive nature when discussing the Gamecocks' acquisition. She'll need both to earn minutes in South Carolina's deep starting lineup.

Edwards joins a recruiting class ranked No. 2 nationally by ESPN.

She will share the Gamecocks' frontcourt with senior Chloe Kitts, who is returning after missing the 2025-26 season with a torn ACL, and junior Joyce Edwards. After falling to UCLA in last year's NCAA women's championship game, Staley's side enters this next season as early title contenders.

The 2026/27 NCAA women's basketball season tips off in early November.

The rich are getting richer in women's college basketball as South Carolina and UCLA — the 2026 NCAA tournament finalists — landed major talent Thursday to fuel another championship chase.

South Carolina secured a commitment from Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 5 prospect in the Class of 2026 who reopened her recruitment after initially committing to Tennessee. Edwards requested a release following major roster turnover at Tennessee earlier this month.

"Sometimes it takes twice to get it right," Edwards posted after her South Carolina visit, signaling her commitment to the Gamecocks.

Edwards joins Jerzy Robinson, another top-ranked prospect South Carolina landed in December. The additions bolster Dawn Staley's program after the Gamecocks won three titles before falling short in back-to-back finals.

Edwards proved her elite status at the McDonald's All American Game, posting eight points and nine rebounds. She also visited USC and LSU before choosing South Carolina.

Reigning champion UCLA also padded its roster Thursday as Iowa State transfer Addy Brown officially committed to the Bruins.

Brown battled injuries last season at Iowa State. However, she still averaged 11.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 21 games. The 6-foot-2 guard earned spots on the Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award preseason watch lists before entering the transfer portal following the Cyclones' 2026 NCAA tournament exit.

Brown joins coach Cori Close's team as the Bruins look to replace six WNBA Draft picks, including five first-rounders.

South Carolina women's basketball is building toward the future, as this year’s No. 6 high school recruit Jerzy Robinson officially signed with the Gamecocks this week.

The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 27 points and 10.2 rebounds in her junior season at LA's Sierra Canyon High School. Robinson is now finishing her senior year, subsequently becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer after just three years on the team.

"Jerzy is an all-level scorer who can shoot it from outside, get to her spots and be physical in the paint," South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said in a team statement. "Beyond that, she has a winning mentality that she brings to every possession and every matchup she faces. Her competitive spirit and confidence will elevate our program."

"I chose South Carolina because I had a sense of peace when it came down to the decision for me," Robinson told ESPN last December. "When I visited South Carolina, I was already home. I was already valued there... I felt like this was where I needed to be for the next four years."

South Carolina Launches Rebuild with Jerzy Robinson Signing

Having fallen short of two straight NCAA title games, the Gamecocks are turning to both recruiting and the transfer portal after losing Raven Johnson and Madina Okot to the WNBA.

South Carolina recently hosted ex-Tennessee commit Oliviyah Edwards on an official visit after the No. 3 prospect re-opened her recruiting, while also eyeing prospective Texas transfer Jordan Lee.

Raven Johnson is officially teammates with guard Caitlin Clark, and the newly drafted Indiana Fever guard says she's most excited to share the floor with her former NCAA rival.

Indiana selected the South Carolina standout with the No. 10 overall pick in Monday night's 2026 WNBA Draft, as the Fever paired one of the draft class's top defensive guards with Clark and center Aliyah Boston.

Johnson's game gives Indiana needed versatility. She pressures the ball, pushes tempo, and can take on tough defensive assignments — skills that should complement Clark's ace scoring and playmaking.

Built-in familiarity in the locker room will likely help ease Johnson's transition to the pros. She'll reunite with former South Carolina teammate and mentor Boston in Indiana, while joining a Fever team with real title expectations.

But for Johnson, Clark presents the ultimate draw. She made that clear in an interview with Overtime after hearing her name called on Monday.

"She is a phenomenal player," Johnson said. "I mean, with the things she does, it's bar standard. She can shoot the ball, can lead a team, and they win. Like, she has a winning mentality. And I think that's the biggest thing."

That mindset is likely to contribute to Johnson's fit at Indiana, after the 23-year-old helped South Carolina capture two national titles while becoming a top perimeter defender.

Raven Johnson Shares History with Fever Teammate Caitlin Clark

However, the new teammates share a contentious history. Johnson was on the other side of a defining 2023 Final Four moment, when then-Hawkeye Clark waved her off an open 3-point shot during Iowa's upset win over South Carolina.

Now that rivalry must transform into a backcourt partnership, as Indiana tips off the 2026 WNBA season with real postseason expectations.

"[Johnson's] a competitor from one of the greatest programs from college basketball, and she's won at the highest level," said Fever COO and GM Amber Cox.

"We were just so pumped when she was available at No. 10. We know she's going to come in here and compete really hard and create great depth in our backcourt rotation."

Raven Johnson is headed to Indiana after the Fever selected the South Carolina guard with the No. 10 overall pick in Monday's 2026 WNBA Draft, setting up a reunion with former Gamecocks star Aliyah Boston.

The pick gives Indiana another versatile guard as the franchise continues to build around Caitlin Clark and Boston. Johnson brings perimeter defense, pace, and playmaking to a Fever backcourt that needed more depth heading into the season.

The reunion with Boston adds immediate familiarity. Johnson arrived at South Carolina just as Boston was finishing her final collegiate season, and the two helped the Gamecocks win the 2022 national title. However, Boston's influence stuck with Johnson well beyond that championship run.

“It’s so crazy,” Johnson said. “[Boston] taught me so much through my college experience. She taught me what pro habits were… her leadership, [being] a role model, it goes a long way. She is a phenomenal person and instills so much in young people. There’s no way you don’t want to play with somebody like that.”

Johnson leaves South Carolina a two-time national champion, 2026 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and one of the best perimeter defenders in the 2026 WNBA Draft class. She averaged 9.8 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.1 steals last season while helping lead the Gamecocks back to the Final Four.

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2026 WNBA Draft Pick Raven Johnson Teams Up with Caitlin Clark

There is history with Clark, too. Johnson was on the other side of one of the most memorable 2023 Final Four moments, when Clark waved her off an open 3-point shot during Iowa's upset win over South Carolina.

Now, that college rivalry must translate into a professional partnership. Johnson joins a Fever team with playoff expectations and a veteran core already in place.

"They have a lot of vets that I can learn from and they’re winners,” Johnson said. “Everybody on that team likes to win. I think that’s what makes that team special."

Madina Okot is officially entering the 2026 WNBA Draft after exhausting her NCAA eligibility, as the South Carolina center caps her college career following the Gamecocks' tournament exit.

On Wednesday, the NCAA rule it would not grant Okot an extra year of eligibility, despite the 6-foot-6 player's request. Okot is now projected to land as a potential first-round WNBA draft pick.

She acknowledged the committee's decision in an Instagram post.

"Forever grateful," Okot wrote.

Assistant coach Khadijah Sessions responded in the posts's comments, writing, "My girl! Going to miss you down."

The Kenya native made an immediate impact in her lone season with the Gamecocks. She provided size and rim protection in the frontcourt, while contributing on both ends of the floor throughout the team's postseason run.

Remarking on Okot's situation, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley lauded her big's development.

"Early in her basketball career, Madina made courageous choices not just to pursue just the sport, but also to better her life," Staley said.

"Her path included just a short time with us in Columbia, but we are grateful to be part of her story. She made our team and our sport better."

Okot's resume adds context to her future in the pros. The Mississippi State transfer led South Carolina with 1.4 blocks per game. She subsequently earned All-SEC Second Team honors after finishing third in the country with 22 double-doubles.

With her NCAA eligibility resolved, Okot now enters the 2026 WNBA Draft pool, where her skills and interior production position her as a player to watch as teams look to add size and sticking power.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and UConn coach Geno Auriemma put their heated Final Four confrontation behind them Tuesday, as both NCAA coaches released statements calling for the women's basketball community to move forward.

"I spoke with Geno, and I want to be clear — I have a great deal of respect for him and what he's meant to this game," Staley wrote. "One moment doesn't define a career, and it doesn't change the impact he's had on growing women's basketball."

Auriemma echoed the sentiment in his second formal apology, acknowledging he "lost" himself during Friday's semifinal.

"This morning, Dawn Staley and I spoke," Auriemma wrote. "I apologized to Dawn, her staff and her team. I've lost more games in the Final Four than any coach in history. But Friday I lost something more important. I lost myself."

The conflict erupted in the final seconds of South Carolina's 62-48 victory over previously undefeated UConn. Auriemma approached Staley for a postgame handshake before angrily confronting her. The exchange escalated until officials and staff stepped in.

After criticizing the referees during the broadcast, Auriemma initially showed no regret in his postgame news conference. He later released his first apology the following day.

Dawn Staley vs. Geno Auriemma Final Four Rivalry Returns Next Season

The South Carolina-UConn rivalry resumes on November 24th, when the programs meet at the Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Showcase at Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Arena.

"Coach Auriemma and Coach Staley have not only built championship programs but have also helped elevate women's basketball to new heights," said Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame CEO and President John L. Doleva.

"Having two Hall of Famers leading their teams in this marquee matchup perfectly represents our mission to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future of basketball."

For the second consecutive year, South Carolina found itself on the losing end of an NCAA final blowout, falling 79-51 to UCLA on Sunday to mark the third-largest margin of victory in women's title game history.

The Gamecocks shot just 29% from the field and became the first team to lose back-to-back championship games by more than 15 points. The 28-point defeat came one year after UConn handed South Carolina a 23-point loss in the 2025 final.

"To get here is hard, to win here is harder, right?" head coach Dawn Staley said postgame. "Obviously we got smacked today. We got to figure out how we smack back."

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NCAA Championship Loss Caps Rocky South Carolina Semifinal

The South Carolina loss capped an emotional weekend for Staley. The lauded coach dealt with fallout from Friday's heated exchange with UConn coach Geno Auriemma following the team's semifinal victory. In the incident, Auriemma approached Staley for a postgame handshake, then angrily confronted her face-to-face before staff separated them.

"I'm of integrity," Staley said following the altercation. "If I did something wrong to Geno, I had no idea what I did."

Auriemma issued a statement on Saturday, writing that he had no excuse for how he handled the game's end. However, Staley told ESPN she hadn't heard directly from the Hall of Fame coach despite reports he reached out.

"The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don't want my actions to detract from that," Auriemma wrote in his formal apology.

Staley spent much of Sunday's postgame praising UCLA coach Cori Close, who captured her first NCAA title in her 15th season. The two shared a long pregame hug that stood in stark contrast to the Auriemma dust-up.

"I'm always happy for people that worked hard in this game, who are really quality people," Staley said of Close.

Reaching six consecutive Final Fours demonstrates South Carolina's sustained excellence, but Staley and her staff face the challenge of breaking through if they want to claim another NCAA championship title.

UCLA women's basketball dominated South Carolina 79-51 Sunday night to claim its first-ever NCAA championship, capping a 31-game winning streak under coach Cori Close with the program's most important victory.

The Bruins never trailed against the Gamecocks, opening a double-digit lead after the first quarter and building a commanding 36-23 halftime advantage. The 28-point margin of victory ranks as the third-largest in championship game history.

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All five UCLA senior starters registered double-digit scoring, led by senior guard Gabriela Jaquez's 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Star center Lauren Betts earned Most Outstanding Player honors with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

"We were determined, the core group, to do something UCLA hadn't done before in the NCAA era," Jaquez said postgame. "We always believed."

The victory punctuates head coach Cori Close's multi-year plan to build a championship program. Close assembled her roster through multiple channels, recruiting rising talents like Jaquez and guard Kiki Rice from high school while adding Betts, Gianna Kneepkens, and Charlisse Leger-Walker via the transfer portal.

"It's immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine," Close said after winning the 2026 NCAA women's championship. "It's beyond my wildest dreams."

UCLA last won a national title in women's basketball in 1978 when the AIAW governed the sport. Ann Meyers Drysdale, who led that championship team, attended Sunday's game as the Bruins made NCAA history.

The Bruins held the Gamecocks to 9-of-35 shooting in the first half while dominating the paint, limiting Joyce Edwards to just two points on 1-of-6 shooting.

Cori Close became the longest-tenured single-program head coach to capture a first championship in the win. The victory also avenged last year's double-digit semifinal loss while fulfilling the senior class's mission to bring UCLA its first NCAA crown.