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South Carolina opens as underdog vs. UConn in Final Four matchup

The Gamecocks are back to the Final Four for a sixth straight season.
ByMorgan Moriarty|
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Mar 30, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson (25) and forward Maryam Dauda (30) celebrate after the Gamecocks scored against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs in an Elite Eight game in the Sacramento Regional 4 of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Mar 30, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson (25) and forward Maryam Dauda (30) celebrate after the Gamecocks scored against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs in an Elite Eight game in the Sacramento Regional 4 of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

The No. 1 seeded South Carolina Gamecocks are going back to the Final Four for a sixth straight season. Although the Gamecocks trailed No. 3 TCU 22-18 early in the second quarter, South Carolina's offense came alive and went on a 17-5 run to go to the locker room leading 35-27. 

Although TCU made it a 47-39 game late in the third quarter, the Gamecocks scored 29 in the fourth to take home the 78-52 victory. It was an impressive win for South Carolina, which had yet to be truly tested this tournament until facing the Horned Frogs. 

"Anytime you're able to play in the third weekend in the NCAA Tournament is always special," South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said after the game. "I don't know, I think it's our sixth in a row. But it really doesn't feel like that because the work that it requires for you to get to this place, it's a lot. It's a lot.

"I think we were just talking to our coaches in the locker room, and we're, like, people really criticize coaches for how they coach, how they coach on a game day. A game day is the easiest, the easiest time of our day.

"It is what you have to do to prepare players who are going through whatever they go through because they go through things. They go through not doing so well in a classroom. They go through breaking up with their significant others. They go through just mental exhaustion just for having to deal with their young lives."

Now, in the Final Four, South Carolina will get an opponent it has yet to see all season—the No. 1 overall seeded UConn Huskies. The two powerhouse programs had faced each other in each of the last 11 seasons, but didn't meet in 2025-26.

Here's an early look at the lines for Friday night's game, which will tip off at 7 p.m. ET. As you can see, the Huskies, who have yet to lose a game all season, are favored.

No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 1 UConn odds

DraftKings: UConn (-6.5) 

BetMGM: UConn (-7.5) 

FanDuel: UConn (-7.5)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. 

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