Why Duke-UNC, UT-UT and MSU-UM are three must-watch women’s college basketball rivalry games

Last night, a weekend of women’s basketball rivalries began with a bang, as No. 3 South Carolina secured their 18th-straight win over No. 6 LSU—and head coach Dawn Staley’s 500th win at South Carolina—with a 79-72 victory.

The Johnsons—South Carolina’s Tessa and Raven and LSU’s Flau’Jae—assumed starring roles.

Down by five after the first quarter, the second period proved pivotal for the Gamecocks, as Tessa and Raven combined for 19 of South Carolina’s 25 points, helping the Gamecocks take a one-point advantage, 41-40, into the halftime break. LSU was right there because of Flau’Jae, who scored eight of her team-best 21 points in the period.

In the second half, the Tigers could never muster enough momentum at key moments to reclaim the lead from the Gamecocks, trimming their deficit to one point on multiple occasions only for South Carolina to respond with a key score. LSU’s last chance came with approximately 45 seconds left, when Flau’Jae was at the line with the Tigers down by one, 73-72. However, she missed both free throws, and LSU would not score again.

With a 4-for-5 performance from 3, Tessa led South Carolina with 21 points, while Raven finished with career-high 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Madina Okot added a 12-rebound and 17-rebound double-double for the Gamecocks.

Today’s matchups might not approach the intensity of South Carolina-LSU rivalry, but the women’s college basketball slate includes a number of traditional, emerging and potential rivalry games, headlined by these three highly-intriguing contests.

No. 21 North Carolina vs. No. 11 Duke (1 p.m. ET, ABC)

This traditional Tobacco Road tilt represents the next test for rejuvenated Duke.

After falling outside the top 25, the Blue Devils have risen to the very fringe of the top 10, with a win over their biggest rival, which would be their 16th-straight, sure to tip them even closer to a single-digit ranking. The Blue Devils have largely benefitted from a kind schedule, with their only win over a currently-ranked opponent coming by a mere point—although the fact that it came on the road against then-No. 6 Louisville lends legitimacy to Duke’s viability.

North Carolina, likewise, has more quietly been building momentum, similarly taking advantage of a less-threatening-than-usual ACC schedule. A road upset of the Blue Devils would be the Tar Heels’ ninth-straight win, possibly vaulting them back into the top 15.

Last year, the rivals played three times. Carolina won the first game, an overtime affair where the teams combined for 99 points. Duke took the latter two, triumphing in another defense-first regular-season battle before besting UNC in an even lower-scoring Sweet 16 matchup.

While both offenses have improved compared to last season’s outfits, still expect defense to rule the day. In ACC play, Duke has the best scoring defense, holding opponents to 53.6 points per game; North Carolina comes in second, allowing 58.1 points per game. Per defensive rating, Duke ranks 16th nationally, with Carolina right behind at 17th.

With a win, Duke will be in an even stronger position to capture the ACC regular-season title, running their conference record to an undefeated 14-0. With three conference losses on their ledger, a win would preserve an outside championship chance for UNC, as the two teams will meet again in Chapel Hill on the last day of the regular season.

No. 4 Texas vs. No. 22 Tennessee (3 p.m. ET, ABC)

Although two of the most successful programs in women’s basketball history, built by legends in Pat Summitt and Jody Conradt, these two UTs aren’t traditional women’s basketball rivals.

Recently, the programs’ current head coaches have rivaled each other for the most brutally-honest press conference. After Tennessee’s Kim Caldwell suggested her team quit in their program-worst loss to South Carolina, Texas’ Vic Schaefer questioned his team’s heart after they fell in uncompetitive fashion at No. 5 Vanderbilt on Thursday.

Will the coaches’ methods have their charges inspired for this Sunday afternoon showdown in Knoxville? As this is a must-win game if either team hopes to extend their slim chance of an SEC regular-season title, both coaches better hope their messages have been interpreted and applied as intended.

Tennessee already provided some reason for optimism, mashing Missouri, coached by former Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper, on Thursday. Even more encouragingly, Janiah Barker arguably turned her most impactful game in a Lady Vol uniform. She scored 22 points, going 9-for-16 from the field and grabbing eight boards, four offensive and four defensive. She also notched two steals, and committed no turnovers.

A Barker who stays engaged and makes smart decisions is a weapon who could help the Lady Vols send the Longhorns to a second-straight loss for the second-time this season—a rarity for the Schaefer era that certainly will have the coach steaming as he sheds his jacket.

To stave off a second-straight L, Texas needs a bounceback game from Madison Booker, who only managed six field goal attempts in the Longhorns’ Thursday loss. Reputed as one of the best scorers in the nation, Texas has to find a way to manufacture more looks for Booker, possibly by taking advantages of cracks that develop in Tennessee’s aggressive, and sometimes undisciplined, defense.

The real show in this one, however, might come postgame, depending on if the performance by their team leaves Caldwell or Schaefer still simmering with frustration when they assume the podium.

No. 13 Michigan State vs. No. 7 Michigan (4 p.m. ET, FS1)

Two weeks ago, it took overtime for Michigan to escape East Lansing with a road win over their in-state rival. The Wolverines now play host for the rematch, with Spartans eyeing to invade Ann Arbor and pull off the upset.

Regardless of the stakes and circumstances, Michigan State’s Kennedy Blair will be roaring and ready. A lifelong Spartan fan, the former walk-on is blossoming into a star for MSU, as Zack Ward recently detailed. A repeat of her prior performance against the Wolverines—a 21-point and 10-rebound double-double—might be enough to push the Spartans over the top this time.

Last time, Michigan benefited from a career-best day from Mila Holloway, who tallied 26 points, six boards and five assists. To capture a third-straight game over MSU, the Wolverines could use an efficient outing from Syla Swords, something that’s been a struggle for her this season. For the season, Swords is barely shooting 40 percent from the field as she averages two fewer points per game compared to her freshman campaign. However, no one questions Swords’ clutch bona fides. When the game gets tight and the lights get bright, Swords is unafraid to take, and often make, the big shots.

If this one is close down the stretch, don’t be surprised if a late Swords 3 sends Crisler Center into a frenzy, and seals the W for UM. With just two conference losses, a win would also continue to keep Michigan in position to take the Big Ten regular-season—if, in the albeit unlikely scenario, UCLA suffers a late-season conference skid.