South Carolina will face another major test on Sunday when the No. 1 Gamecocks meet No. 12 North Carolina at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. The 2026 Ally Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with both programs entering the matchup after contrasting results in their season openers.
Dawn Staley’s team defeated No. 20 Maryland 101–93 in Paris, while North Carolina suffered a 91–79 loss to No. 21 Oklahoma. Although South Carolina enters as the higher-ranked team, the opening games suggest that Sunday’s contest could be more competitive than the rankings indicate.
For the Gamecocks, the biggest concern is defensive consistency. Their offensive production against Maryland was impressive, but the second-half collapse exposed an issue that North Carolina will likely attempt to exploit.
South Carolina Has an Important Defensive Question to Answer
South Carolina opened its season with 61 points in the first half against Maryland and established a 28-point halftime advantage. At one stage, the lead reached 31 points. The game appeared firmly under control.
Maryland, however, scored 60 points after halftime and reduced the deficit to six before the Gamecocks secured a 101–93 victory.
Addi Mack was responsible for much of that comeback. She finished with a career-high 35 points, including 31 after halftime, and converted six of her 10 attempts from three-point range. Her performance demonstrated how quickly an opponent can change the nature of a game when South Carolina loses control of its defensive assignments.
The Gamecocks allowed Maryland to score 26 points in the third quarter and another 34 in the fourth. Those numbers deserve attention, particularly because North Carolina also experienced a significant second-half swing against Oklahoma.
South Carolina does not need to change its entire defensive approach after one game. However, Staley will want better communication around screens, quicker rotations on the perimeter and more disciplined closeouts.
The challenge is to prevent a talented opposing guard from establishing a rhythm without leaving other offensive players unguarded.
Joyce Edwards and Agot Makeer Give South Carolina Multiple Scoring Options
One reason South Carolina remains a difficult opponent is the number of players capable of carrying the offense.
Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks against Maryland with 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Her ability to score inside and create opportunities for teammates gives Staley a dependable offensive option when the perimeter attack becomes inconsistent.
Agot Makeer also made an impressive debut. The freshman scored 20 points, shooting a perfect four-for-four from three-point range. She added two steals and two blocks, providing valuable contributions at both ends of the floor.
Tessa Johnson finished with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jerzy Robinson also scored 15 points, while Jordan Lee contributed 13.
This distribution of production makes South Carolina particularly difficult to defend. Opponents cannot concentrate exclusively on Edwards without creating opportunities for other players.
The frontcourt also deserves attention. Ashlyn Watkins recorded seven points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals against Maryland. Chloe Kitts contributed eight points, seven rebounds and five assists in 19 minutes.
Watkins offers rim protection and athleticism, while Kitts provides additional rebounding and passing ability. Staley could consider using both players together during important defensive possessions, particularly when the opponent begins to attack the basket.
The challenge will be maintaining sufficient offensive spacing while improving the team’s defensive presence.
North Carolina Has a Dangerous Young Guard
North Carolina arrives in Charlotte after losing 91–79 to Oklahoma in Paris. The Tar Heels were competitive during the first half, trailing only 39–38 at the break, but Oklahoma created separation after halftime.
Freshman Kate Harpring led North Carolina with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists. Her performance was particularly encouraging for the Tar Heels because she demonstrated an ability to assume significant offensive responsibility against a ranked opponent.
Nyla Brooks added 13 points, while Achol Akot finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. Sophie Burrows also collected eight rebounds, and Reniya Kelly recorded seven assists.
North Carolina’s balanced production presents a different defensive challenge for South Carolina. Harpring is an important player to monitor, but focusing the entire defensive strategy on her could create opportunities for Brooks, Akot and the other Tar Heels.
Ball movement is another important part of their offense. North Carolina recorded 22 assists against Oklahoma, which demonstrates its ability to create scoring opportunities through team play.
South Carolina must therefore defend the entire possession. Pressure on the primary ball handler will be useful, but rotations and defensive communication will determine whether that pressure produces stops.
Three Matchups That Could Decide Sunday’s Game
1. Ashlyn Watkins against North Carolina’s frontcourt
Watkins could become one of South Carolina’s most important players on Sunday. Her 10 rebounds and four combined steals and blocks against Maryland demonstrated the defensive value she brings.
North Carolina has capable rebounders in Achol Akot and Sophie Burrows. Both collected eight rebounds against Oklahoma.
Watkins will need to contest shots without committing unnecessary fouls and secure defensive rebounds when the Tar Heels miss. South Carolina cannot afford to give North Carolina repeated opportunities through offensive rebounds.
2. Kate Harpring against South Carolina’s perimeter defense
Harpring’s 21-point debut makes her an obvious player for the Gamecocks to study.
South Carolina should use disciplined pressure to make her decisions more difficult. Aggressive double-teams on every possession could be counterproductive, particularly against a team that recorded 22 assists in its opening game.
The objective should be to disrupt her rhythm while keeping the other offensive players under control.
3. Joyce Edwards against North Carolina’s interior defense
Edwards enters this matchup after an outstanding performance in Paris. Her 23 points against Maryland established her as a major offensive threat.
North Carolina will need to limit her opportunities around the basket and prevent her from drawing defensive attention that creates open perimeter shots.
If Edwards establishes herself early, South Carolina could force the Tar Heels to make difficult defensive adjustments.
Five Predictions for South Carolina vs. North Carolina
Prediction 1: South Carolina will start with greater defensive urgency.
Maryland exposed some defensive problems after halftime, and Staley will have an opportunity to address them before Sunday. I expect the Gamecocks to apply more pressure on the perimeter and communicate better when defending ball screens.
Prediction 2: Ashlyn Watkins will have a significant defensive performance.
Watkins is my defensive X-factor for this matchup. North Carolina has enough rebounding ability to punish poor defensive possessions, so her presence around the basket could be especially important.
I expect her to contribute through rebounds and rim protection, even if her scoring remains modest.
Prediction 3: Joyce Edwards will lead South Carolina in scoring.
Edwards already demonstrated her ability to produce against a ranked opponent. Her combination of interior scoring and passing makes her an important part of the Gamecocks’ offense.
I expect another productive performance, with opportunities for Makeer and Johnson to contribute around her.
Prediction 4: The third quarter will be the most important period.
Both teams have reasons to pay attention to their second-half performances.
Maryland scored 60 points after halftime against South Carolina, while Oklahoma built its advantage against North Carolina with a 31–14 third quarter.
The team that makes the better halftime adjustments could gain a significant advantage. South Carolina must maintain its defensive discipline after the break, particularly if it enters halftime with a comfortable lead.
Prediction 5: South Carolina will win by double digits.
North Carolina has enough talent to make this a competitive contest, especially with Harpring coming off an impressive debut. However, South Carolina has more established offensive options and greater depth in the frontcourt.
The Gamecocks should have the advantage in the paint and on the offensive glass. If they control those areas while limiting North Carolina’s perimeter opportunities, they should be able to establish a comfortable lead.
Final Score Prediction: South Carolina 86, North Carolina 70
I am picking South Carolina to win 86–70.
The Gamecocks have the personnel to control this matchup, but their defensive performance will determine how comfortable the victory becomes. Edwards should lead the offensive effort, Makeer and Johnson can provide important perimeter production, and Watkins could make a substantial difference on the defensive end.
North Carolina should have opportunities through Harpring and its supporting players. However, South Carolina’s size, depth and offensive versatility give the Gamecocks a clear advantage.
The most important measure of Sunday’s performance will be how South Carolina responds when North Carolina makes a run. A team with championship ambitions must be able to protect a lead, secure defensive rebounds and produce consecutive stops when the opponent gains momentum.
A convincing victory would give Staley’s team a positive response after the Maryland game and provide an early indication that the defensive problems from Paris are receiving attention.
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