NCAAW: No. 2 South Carolina hosts No. 5 LSU in top-tier SEC tilt

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The last two highly-ranked SEC teams to visit Columbia, SC were met with a rude welcome.

On Sunday, Jan. 12, No. 2 South Carolina embarrassed No. 7 Texas, with the Longhorns lacking the composure required to make shots for the majority of a 67-50 loss. A week later, Texas’ Red River rival, No. 15 Oklahoma, had an equally ignominious experience, lapped in a 101-60 loss. No. 5 LSU, with its sparking 20-0 mark, surely will not face a similar fate? Right? Even if they cannot emerge victorious, can the Tigers show that the Gamecocks, clearly invigorated after their lone loss to No. 1 UCLA, are not just not unbeatable, but also not invulnerable?

While the game was delayed by one day due to the wintry weather that struck the deep South, the game is on go, with the top-five SEC tilt is scheduled to tip off on Friday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Since Kim Mulkey took over the Tigers before the 2021-22 season, LSU has not beaten South Carolina. Staley’s squad is 4-0 against Mulkey’s team, including handing the Tigers one of their two losses during their 2023 national championship season, an 88-64 beat down in Columbia. Last season, the Gamecocks escaped Baton Rouge with a 76-70 win, the eventual national champions’ first single-digit victory. South Carolina then prevailed again in a spicy SEC Tournament championship game where, by game’s end, both teams’ rotations had been depleted by ejections.

So, while LSU has yet to beat South Carolina in the Mulkey era, they have provided South Carolina with some of their tougher tests. Expect that to continue on Thursday night.

LSU has the talent to stick with South Carolina

While South Carolina has dismantled other elite teams, neither Texas nor Oklahoma sports the combination of skill, athleticism and toughness of LSU.

Junior guard Flau’jae Johnson not only overflows confidence, but has speed, shiftiness and clutch shotmaking to match. Speaking of clutch, that has become the defining trait of junior guard Kailyn Gilbert, with the Arizona transfer building her Baton Rouge bona fides by making big shots. Sophomore guard Mikaylah Williams also is a supreme shot maker, helping to make the Tigers the nation’s best 2-point scoring team. Then, senior forward Anessah Morrow, who might be nation’s most-determined player, guarantees that LSU owns that glass, racking up a record number of double-doubles.

Sophomore Jersey Wolfenbarger and junior Sa’Myah Smith give LSU good depth at the forward position. Point guard stands as the Tigers’ only weak point, with senior Shayeann Day-Wilson, a transfer from Miami, and Last-Tear Poa, a returning senior who never has gained Mulkey’s trust, providing mostly uneven play.

But, South Carolina still has more

Of course, the South Carolina roster is full of players who can match their LSU counterparts.

Down Ashlyn Watkins after the junior forward tore her ACL, the Gamecocks have benefitted from the in-season growth of freshman forward Joyce Edwards, who has led South Carolina in scoring the past two games. She is part of an electric bench unit that also boasts sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, one of the sport’s most spectacular talents, and sophomore guard Tessa Johnson, one of the game’s greatest young shooters.

And the South Carolina starters also are stellar. Senior guard Te-Hina Paopao is an ever-poised knockdown shooter. Junior guard Raven Johnson is a never-deterred defender who finds a way to make offensive contributions. Senior guard Bree Hall might be the most underrated player in the country. Junior forward Chloe Kitts oozes with the kind of energetic play that irritates opponents. And senior forward Sania Feagin is the embodiment of the Staley system, a player who has bid her time and now is blossoming.

Friday’s game should be a showcase of high-level women’s hoops talent, with some of the game’s brightest future faces doing battle.

And, South Carolina has Dawn Staley

The difference on the scoreboard might come down to the smallest details, and on that front, South Carolina will have the edge.

Kim Mulkey is a great coach, but Dawn Staley is better (and better paid). The preparation of a Staley team is nearly always unparalleled; Friday evening will be no exception. Add in a FAMs-filled Colonial Life Arena ready to explode after any and every excellent play by the home team, and the Gamecocks should, once again, edge the Tigers.