Top-ranked South Carolina faces No. 3 USC in a marquee women’s college basketball showdown at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. The nationally televised clash on ABC begins at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 15, bringing two undefeated 3-0 programs together to settle the debate over the real “SC.”
The high-stakes matchup marks the second contest in a two-series showdown dubbed “The Real SC,” USA Today reported. Both powerhouse rosters enter the arena carrying unblemished records through their opening three fixtures of the season.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- South Carolina enters the contest as a 6.5-point favorite according to DraftKings Sportsbook, presenting a tight spread for bettors tracking elite-tier women’s college basketball.
- Fantasy managers rostering Gamecocks guard Tessa Johnson reap the benefits of a blistering scoring run, while USC backers eye high-usage outputs from Kennedy Smith.
- The high-profile ABC broadcast offers key exposure for freshman Jazzy Davidson and top recruit Saniyah Hall.
The Battle in Greenville
Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks defend their home court after putting together early-season victories over Maryland, North Carolina, and Clemson. Meanwhile, Lindsay Gottlieb’s Trojans arrived in South Carolina following a schedule that featured wins against UNLV, Utah State, and Charleston, USA Today reported.
Travel complications hit the visitors prior to tip-off when a nationwide FAA ground stop forced USC to postpone their scheduled Friday flight to Saturday. Despite the disrupted travel window, the Trojans touched down safely in Greenville to face the reigning powerhouse.
New Recruits and Returning Veterans Bolster Both Rosters
Both programs feature heavy infusions of elite young talent alongside proven veterans. South Carolina welcomed high-profile recruits Jerzy Robinson and Oliviyah Edwards alongside Texas transfer guard Jordan Lee, while also returning former SEC Tournament MVP Chloe Kitts from an injury that kept her sidelined last season.
USC counters with last season’s National Freshman of the Year Jazzy Davidson and top recruit Saniyah Hall. The Trojans played without associate head coach Beth Burns, who brings decades of collegiate coaching experience to Gottlieb’s staff, USA Today reported.
Recent Series History
Last season’s meeting on Nov. 15, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles saw South Carolina secure a 69-52 victory over USC while standout guard JuJu Watkins recovered from a knee injury. All-American forward Joyce Edwards paced the Gamecocks in that matchup with 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Kennedy Smith led the Trojans with 12 points.
The Gamecocks added a second victory over USC later that postseason during the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Columbia, South Carolina. Staley’s squad eventually advanced to the program’s sixth consecutive Final Four.
| Team | Current Record | Coaches Poll Rank | AP Top 25 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Gamecocks | 3-0 | 1 | 1 |
| USC Trojans | 3-0 | 3 | 3 |
Broadcast coverage for the Sunday fixture is handled by Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo on the call, with sideline reporting from Holly Rowe and rules analysis from Dee Kantner. Subscribers can also stream the action live through the ESPN app.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
