South Carolina women's basketball has released its complete 2026‑27 schedule, a slate that promises a rigorous test before conference play even begins.
A challenging nonconference road
The Gamecocks, currently ranked No. 1 nationally, will open the season with a transatlantic start, facing Maryland in Paris on November 2 before traveling to Charlotte to meet Clemson on November 12 and then taking on Southern California five days later.
Later in the month, the team heads to Las Vegas to contest the Player's Era Tournament, where they will meet UCLA on December 19 in a bid to avenge their 2025 national championship loss.
A subsequent rematch with UConn will mark the first meeting since the Gamecocks snapped the Huskies' historic unbeaten streak, adding another layer of intrigue to the schedule.
Coach Dawn Staley, entering her 19th season, will be joined by transfer Jordan Lee, who arrives from Texas, while the coaching staff retains the core of last year's roster.
The nonconference slate also includes contests against several top‑25 opponents such as ESPN‑ranked UCLA and UConn, as well as four other teams placed in the preseason top ten.
SEC play kicks off on December 31 with a showdown against Alabama, setting the stage for a demanding conference campaign.