Women’s college basketball is set to take another step forward this March, and a sneak peek of what’s to come will be on full display Thursday night in one of the best marquee regular-season matchups we’ll get in the sport regardless of gender.
Undefeated South Carolina, the last team left without a loss in Division I this season, visits defending national champion LSU, currently ranked No. 9 in the AP poll. ESPN’s College GameDay is leading into the game, which tips at 8 p.m. and will feature two of the most recognizable coaches in the sport, SC’s Dawn Staley and LSU’s Kim Mulkey.
A “White Out” is planned at the sold-out Maravich Assembly Center, where tickets on the resale market are in the thousands.
South Carolina (17-0) last lost in the Final Four to the team the Lady Tigers defeated in the National Championship, Caitlyn Clark-led Iowa. The Gamecocks have won 59 of their last 60 games, a run that includes the 2022 title.
LSU (18-2) entered the season ranked No. 1, but was blown out by Colorado in its Nov. 6 season opener. Following 16 straight wins, the Lady Tigers fell at Auburn on Jan. 14, which means a South Carolina win here would almost certainly lead to a fourth regular-season SEC title in five years.
South Carolina and LSU betting futures will be affected by what happens in this contest. Currently, BetMGM views the Gamecocks as the national title favorite (+290). The Lady Tigers are second (+500), followed by Iowa (+550), UCLA (+600), UConn (+650), Colorado (+1200) and Stanford (+1300).
Even though the Gamecocks lost five WNBA first-round talents from last year’s team, including No. 1 pick and eventual Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, as Mulkey said, “South Carolina just reloads.”
The significance of LSU pulling off a home win on Thursday with everyone watching is that it hasn’t beaten the Gamecocks in 14 years. Last season’s only meeting, in Columbia, produced an 88-64 rout in a battle of unbeatens.
South Carolina vs. LSU odds: National Championship Futures
Here are the latest college basketball betting odds for the Gamecocks vs. Lady Tigers:
South Carolina betting news: New group continues to impress
The astounding amount of talent that South Carolina lost to the pros led to a No. 6 preseason ranking, but it routed Rutgers in an exhibition and Notre Dame to start the season, and has run over most teams like most of Staley’s teams do. Only two teams have come within single-digits of the Gamecocks.
The new driving force is Brazilian Kamilla Cardoso, a 6-foot-7 senior who has excelled in Boston’s shadow as South Carolina’s top reserve until this season, where she’s averaging 13.3 points and 10.7 rebounds. Given that she’s unstoppable in the post and also averages nearly three blocks per game, she’s the stabilizer at both ends but gets plenty of help.
Senior guard Te-Hina Paopao is also going to be key here since LSU’s homecourt advantage will be one obstacle that could trip up Staley’s squad and she’s the most experienced, arriving from Oregon this season. However, guards Raven Johnson and elite freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley are also quite capable of handling pressure and have excelled on the road.
The Gamecocks’ tightest game came at North Carolina, but surviving that test has strengthened this group’s resolve. They’re elite defensively, surrendering 52.1 points per game while averaging 90.8, fourth nationally.
South Carolina leads the nation in 3-point shooting, sporting a pro-like 44.1 percent clip. It also leads in rebounding and blocks, which speaks volumes about its force and versatility.
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LSU betting news: Mulkey hopes Reese’s struggles vs. SC last season serve as motivation
Angel Reese, a forward who remains one of the best players in the college game despite a temporary absence early this season, is the reigning SEC Player of the Week. Although she had four blocks in last season’s loss, she was held to just 15 points on 5-for-15 shooting.
Mulkey hopes last year’s struggles in Columbia help Reese lock in given another shot at taking down the Gamecocks. She leads another loaded group that ranks first nationally in scoring (91.7 ppg), but whose weakness lies on the defensive end (61.5).
The Lady Tigers surrendered 92 points in the upset loss to Colorado and have struggled to get stops often, much to Mulkey’s chagrin. She’s got a deep group loaded with double-digit scorers, and the “Bayou Barbie,” Reese, is averaging team-highs with 19.9 points, 12.1 rebounds and gets to the line almost 10 times per game.
That’s one of LSU’s biggest strengths, as it shoots and attempts more free throws than anyone else, so finding a way to keep that trend going will be a priority in handing the Gamecocks their first loss. Aneesah Morrow (18.2, 9.7) is also a force up front, so it will be important for her to join Reese in staying out of foul trouble against Cardoso.
Mikaylah Wiliams was among the nation’s top recruits, is the reigning SEC Freshman of the Week, and leads the Lady Tigers in assists (3.0) and 3-point shooting. Louisville transfer Hailey Van Lith is also a sniper but has seen her usage rate suffer given LSU’s deeper roster. Coming off a 20-point, six-assist game, she could be a huge x-factor.
Guard Flau’jae Johnson is another name you’ll hear often, as he shares backcourt duties with Williams and was last year’s SEC Freshman of the Year. Also a well-known rapper, she was a non-factor in last season’s loss, finishing scoreless in 11 minutes.
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South Carolina vs. LSU prediction
Unless they struggle from beyond the arc due to sight lines or getting thrown off by what will absolutely be a raucous crowd, look for the Gamecocks to pass this test. Cardoso needs to stay out of foul trouble, because she’s going to help set her teammates up for success at both ends, but this team looks just as cohesive and dominant as Staley’s other groups.
Reese, Johnson and Williams will have a chance to continue building up confidence, but the fact is that while neither of these teams are as talented or strong as they were last season, the Gamecocks are further along. Look for them to remain undefeated in an entertaining, high-scoring affair.
Pick: OVER
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