South Carolina has won its first three games of the 2026–27 season, but Dawn Staley is already reminding her players that the No. 1 ranking comes with expectations. Every opponent wants to challenge the Gamecocks, and Clemson provided another example of that reality on Thursday night.
The Gamecocks defeated Clemson 65–44 at Littlejohn Coliseum on November 12, extending their winning streak against their in-state rivals to 16 consecutive games. The result was comfortable on the scoreboard, although South Carolina did not produce its most efficient offensive performance.
The team made just three of its 11 attempts from beyond the three-point line, committed 18 turnovers and missed 13 of its 29 free-throw attempts. Those numbers offered a reminder that South Carolina still has areas to address, particularly with more demanding opponents ahead.
After the game, Staley was asked whether the players might have been looking ahead to Sunday’s highly anticipated meeting with No. 3 Southern California. The coach dismissed that suggestion and credited Clemson for making the contest difficult.
“I think it was Clemson mucking things up,” Staley said.
Staley also explained why South Carolina cannot expect opponents to approach games against it casually. The Gamecocks have established themselves as one of the leading programmes in women’s college basketball, and their recent success has made them a major target for opposing teams.
“We’re gonna get everybody’s best, and we know that. Everybody’s, whether we have that No. 1 by our name or not. We’ve had success over the past couple of years, and people circle when we play them on the calendar.”
Her comments reflect an important part of South Carolina’s identity. The programme understands that its reputation creates additional challenges, regardless of the opponent or the circumstances surrounding a particular game. Maintaining its standards requires the same level of preparation and concentration throughout the schedule.
The Clemson victory also demonstrated that South Carolina can secure a convincing result without having everything work offensively. However, the turnovers and missed free throws will require attention before the competition becomes more difficult.
That next challenge arrives on Sunday, November 15, when South Carolina faces No. 3 Southern California at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and will be televised nationally on ABC.
With both teams entering the contest unbeaten at 3–0, the matchup represents an early opportunity for South Carolina to measure itself against another national title contender.
For Staley, the message is already clear: the No. 1 ranking does not make the road easier. It makes consistency, discipline and readiness even more important.
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