The University of South Carolina women’s basketball program has just unveiled its complete nonconference slate for the 2026‑27 season, a schedule that promises a rigorous test early in the campaign. The announcement comes as the Gamecocks look to build momentum heading into SEC play, and the lineup features a mix of marquee road trips, neutral‑site contests and home games that will challenge the team from the outset.
A challenging nonconference schedule
Six of the early games are slated against teams that finished the previous season ranked in the top 20, and three matchups pit the Gamecocks against programs that advanced to the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The season opener will take place in Paris, where South Carolina will face Maryland as part of the Oui Play doubleheader, setting a global tone for the campaign.
Later in November, the team travels to Charlotte to meet North Carolina, then returns home for a much‑anticipated home opener against Florida Gulf Coast on November 17. Additional road tests include a stop in Clemson on November 12, a neutral‑site game against Southern California in Greenville on November 15, and a later visit to Providence before heading to Uncasville, Connecticut, for a rivalry clash with UConn on November 24.
The schedule also features a high‑profile road game at Duke on December 3 as part of the SEC‑ACC Challenge, followed by home contests against Oklahoma State on December 6 and a participation in the Players Era Tournament in Las Vegas from December 19‑20. The slate continues with a series of home games against teams such as Albany, Gardner‑Webb and Wofford, before the season culminates in the SEC Tournament scheduled for March 3‑7.
Overall, the nonconference schedule is designed to test the Gamecocks' depth and resilience, providing valuable experience ahead of conference play and positioning the team for a strong finish to the season.