The South Carolina women’s basketball team tips off its season next week with a game against Michigan on Nov. 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

South Carolina enters the season as preseason No. 1 and is the favorite to win both the SEC and National championships. Last season the Gamecocks became the fifth program to go an entire season undefeated.

Many players from the championship group are returning for another run this year and a shot at becoming the first team to win back-to-back titles since UConn in 2016. A championship in 2025 makes South Carolina the third program in history to achieve three championships in four years, joining historic powerhouses UConn and Tennessee.

Eight players are returning for the Gamecocks, but the team will miss one of their most important players from last year’s squad. Center Kamilla Cardoso graduated and was selected third overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA draft. 

Key returners include Te-Hina Paopao, Raven Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley. All three earned preseason All-SEC honors and are expected to contribute big this year.

In addition to retaining most of its roster, South Carolina added four new players, strengthening an already deep group. The Gamecocks added three freshmen and brought in one transfer. 

Adhel Tac, Maddy McDaniel and Camden native Joyce Edwards make up the freshmen class. Arkansas transfer Maryam Dauda also joins the team after making major contributions to the Razorbacks and leading the SEC in blocks per game.

Before the season opener, South Carolina played in two preseason exhibitions. The Gamecocks won both games by a large margin, first traveling to Memphis and beating the Tigers 106-63, before returning home and beating Clayton State 126-42. 

The Gamecocks’ new and returning players contributed big in both wins and showcased the team’s excellent depth. Four players scored in double-figures against Memphis and all 11 active players scored at least five points. 

Edwards led the way in her first unofficial contest as a Gamecock. She recorded a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. 

Back home against Clayton State, six players finished in double-figures and once again, all 11 players scored at least five points. This time, Fulwiley led the way in the scoring column with 24 points. Edwards finished with 20 points, Tessa Johnson had 15 and Pa-opao and Tac each had 13. 

While the team looked just as advertised in the two exhibitions, there are still some questions that will be addressed as the season goes on. One question that will be answered early is who will step in and serve as the primary bigs for the team. Edwards showed she can play right away, and returners such as Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin are proven contributors. 

The team has one notable absence that could affect the frontcourt rotation. Ashlyn Watkins remains suspended from the team after being charged with first-degree assault and battery and kidnapping during an incident at a university-owned apartment.

Watkins will remain sidelined from the team as the legal process plays out. It is also yet to be seen how this version of the Gamecocks stack up against the nation’s other top teams. 

South Carolina will test itself with four games against ranked foes before beginning SEC play. The team will play No. 9 N.C. State in Charlotte in its second game this season. The Gamecocks travel to play at No. 5 UCLA on Nov. 24, then hosts No. 8 Iowa State on Nov. 28. Lastly the team will welcome No. 11 Duke on Dec. 5. 

In conference play, things won’t get any easier. The Gamecocks are scheduled to play five ranked conference foes, including No. 4 Texas twice. The team also has a game against No. 2 UConn scheduled for Feb. 16. 

The Gamecocks are used to a sleep schedule, having tested themselves against many ranked teams early in previous years. Those games give the team good run against potential tournament teams early, so they can adjust and avoid major mistakes down the road. 

South Carolina and Michigan will begin the season Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.The Gamecocks will then travel to Charlotte on Nov. 10 for the game against N.C. State before the home-opener against Coppin State on Nov.14.