The South Carolina Gamecocks are set to renew their storied rivalry with the Clemson Tigers on November 11, meeting at Littlejohn Coliseum in what the university has dubbed the Upstate showdown. The contest will extend a 15‑game winning streak that began with a 65‑37 victory over Clemson last year.
Rivalry Renewed
That matchup marks the third non‑conference game of the 2026‑27 campaign for South Carolina, which has already locked in ten games outside the league, including high‑profile meetings with Maryland, North Carolina and UConn. The schedule also includes return games to Penn State and Grand Canyon slated for the 2027‑28 season.
Inside the SEC, the Gamecocks will navigate a demanding slate that features contests against Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma and other traditional powers, while also holding two built‑in bye weeks on January 24 and February 18. Additional conference foes such as Mississippi State, Florida and Missouri are also on the calendar.
Adding a new dimension to the season, South Carolina is helping organize the PowHER Player Classic, an HBCU women’s basketball tournament and NIL marketplace that will showcase teams such as Tennessee State, Alabama A&M and possibly NC Central. Rae Rose Media is spearheading the effort, bringing a commercial platform to the event.
Head coach Dawn Staley, a Hall of Fame inductee, continues to shape the program’s culture, while veteran players like Candice Dupree and emerging talents such as Olivia Gaines look to build on last year’s victory. The roster also includes Kevin Miller, Chris Wellbaum and other key contributors who will be watched closely as the team tests its depth.
The upcoming schedule not only tests the team’s depth but also positions the Gamecocks for a strong finish ahead of the SEC tournament, with analysts watching how the non‑conference results will influence NCAA tournament seeding and overall momentum.