The Gamecocks have proven to be inevitable this season — yes, in reference to Thanos. They’re untouchable shooting from afar, with a nation-leading 3PT percentage (44.09); invulnerable in allowing just 52.1 opponent points per game, and the best scoring margin in the league at +38.6; authoritative in the block, swatting just about nine balls per game, also the most of any team in the country. Seventeen games in, the Gamecocks are the lone undefeated college basketball team in the country, billowing through their first four ranked matchups like clockwork.
But for the first time this season, Dawn Staley might just have a challenge on her hands.
Enter the reigning national champions, with a still-impressive 15-2 record. The preseason No. 1 Tigers suffered some early-season embarrassment at the hands of Frida Formann and the CU Buffs, falling in a double-digit catastrophe that took three 100+ point games thereafter to get the bad taste out of their mouths. Since, LSU has only faltered in a five-point loss to Auburn, but has maintained the top scoring offense in the country (91.6 PPG). Angel Reese is the freshly-minted SEC Player of the Week after notching a combined 36 points and 33 boards in her two most recent contests, and combined with stellar guards Mikaylah Williams, Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow, the LSU scoring effort proves difficult to shake.
Examining how the Tigers will penetrate Gamecock territory might be the most intriguing tidbit of this game, as every player on the South Carolina roster is a two-way threat. Take center Kamilla Cardoso for example: in her past six games, she’s notched five double-doubles, and 12 steals. MiLaysia Fulwiley and Te-Hina Paopao are lethal in the backcourt, combining for 399 points this season and 61 turnovers.
With its most recent win over Texas A&M, South Carolina notched its 27th straight road victory, the longest away streak in SEC history. The Tigers are a perfect 12-0 at home this year, posting a 29-game win streak in the Maravich Center.
An expectant sold-out game, tickets are now retailing anywhere from $64-$1.6k on SeatGeek. Streaks, reputations and post-season standings are on the line — tune in on Thursday to see if the Tigers can put a chink in South Carolina’s armor.