The South Carolina women's basketball team has finalized its non-conference schedule for the 2026-27 season. The Gamecocks, who made it to the national championship last year, are reloading under longtime head coach Dawn Staley.
South Carolina unveiled its full non-conference schedule, and it features some impressive teams.
The Gamecocks will take on three programs that finished last season as conference champions, in the ACC's Duke Blue Devils, the Big East's UConn Huskies and the reigning ASUN champions FGCU Eagles. South Carolina is set to play Duke on Dec. 3, UConn on Nov. 24 and FGCU on Nov. 17.
The game against the Eagles will come at home, and South Carolina will play the Blue Devils on the road. The game against Geno Auriemma and the Huskies will be played in Uncasville, Conn. That game should be entertainment, as it'll mark the first time Staley and Auriemma will meet since last season's postgame kerfuffle.
The schedule also features some games against teams that finished ranked last season, including the aforementioned UConn and Duke, North Carolina on Nov. 8 and Maryland on Nov. 2, which will be played in Paris, France. South Carolina will play USC on Nov. 15 at home.
9 vs. NCAA Tournament teams
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) August 28, 2026
6 vs. Top-20 teams
3 vs. Conference champions
Who's ready?
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South Carolina's non-conference slate also includes teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season, including Oklahoma State, who signed star Audi Crooks this offseason. The Gamecocks will also take on in-state rival Clemson as part of their non-conference slate.
Given South Carolina's strong non-conference schedule, that should bode well for the Gamecocks come NCAA Tournament time. While South Carolina is expected to earn a high seed, with a favorite to be the No. 1 overall seed, it could help the Gamecocks if they fail to win the SEC as expected.
Following their non-conference games, South Carolina will open SEC play at home against Alabama on Dec. 31. The Gamecocks are expected to have a huge season, returning Joyce Edwards, Tessa Johnson and Chloe Kitts from last season. Coach Staley also signed a huge recruiting class, including five-stars Jerzy Robinson and Oliviyah Edwards, while also landing Jordan Lee from Texas via the transfer portal.
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