Dawn Staley has set an incredibly challenging early season schedule for the South Carolina Gamecocks, ranked third in the nation.
The team has already squared off against four opponents that have graced the AP Top 25 rankings and will face two more formidable teams this week: No. 8 Duke and No. 9 TCU.
Following a loss, Coach Staley watched her players respond decisively, leading to a commanding 40-point victory over previously ranked No. 15 Iowa State after their defeat at UCLA.
“We told our team this is our second loss in two years,” Staley reflected.
“While it isn’t pleasant, we understand the need to reassess our strategy. And we will.”
The Gamecocks demonstrated their resilience and hope that this tough competition at the start of the season will support their ambitions for March success.
The upcoming matchups are set to pose further tests for the Gamecocks.
Their showdown against Duke on Thursday is part of the ACC-SEC challenge, a highlight in the competitive landscape of women’s college basketball.
Notable games in this clash include No. 4 Texas visiting 10th-ranked Notre Dame, No. 22 Louisville hosting 11th-ranked Oklahoma, and No. 5 LSU taking on Stanford.
In the latest developments, TCU has made headlines by recording their first win over a top-five team since 2008, achieving an eight-point victory against then-No. 3 Notre Dame.
The Horned Frogs are set to challenge South Carolina next, and the Gamecocks will need to strategize effectively to contain Sedona Prince, who distinguished herself with an extraordinary performance—becoming the first player in NCAA history to accumulate 20 points, 20 rebounds, and eight blocks in a game versus a top-five opponent.
This victory has marked the Horned Frogs’ highest ranking in their school history.
In other exciting news, a doubleheader event is poised to take place at the Barclays Center on Saturday, featuring Tennessee going up against 17th-ranked Iowa, along with second-ranked UConn battling Louisville.
This marks the inaugural year of the Women’s Champions Classic, with Louisville being the only team in the lineup that has suffered defeats — both losses coming from ranked adversaries (UCLA and Kentucky).
Additionally, the No. 7 Maryland Terrapins are enjoying their best start since the 2018-19 season, boasting an undefeated record of 8-0.
With a notable win against Duke, Maryland does not have to contend with another ranked opponent until potentially December 29, when they face No. 24 Michigan State.
This matchup initiates a challenging segment in their schedule where they could encounter six Top 25 teams over nine games.
