USC’s a huge favorite despite Cardoso’s absence
COLUMBIA − South Carolina women’s basketball opens its NCAA Tournament run against a familiar foe from earlier this season in Presbyterian but will have to play without star center Kamilla Cardoso.
The No. 1 Gamecocks (32-0) can kick off March Madness with a big statement against the No. 16 Blue Hose (21-14) while at home Friday (2 p.m., ESPN) at Colonial Life Arena. The two teams matched up earlier this season on Dec. 16, 2023, with South Carolina rolling to a 99-29 victory.
Presbyterian beat Sacred Heart, 4942, in a First Four matchup Wednesday to advance to the first round of the NCAA Tournament, while South Carolina hasn’t played since beating LSU in the SEC Tournament championship game on March 10.
Here’s what you need to know about the matchup.
Brady, Sjökvist head Presbyterian’s scoring
Sixth-year center Bryanna Brady and sophomore guard Tilda Sjökvist have headed the Blue Hose’s scoring, averaging 12.4 and 12.3 points per game, respectively.
Sjökvist, from Sweden, was Presbyterian’s leading scorer against South
Carolina in December, totaling 15 points on 6-of-20 shooting, including 3-of-9 from beyond the arc.
Brady has been an experienced leader for the Blue Hose and was vital in their win against Sacred Heart in the First Four, scoring six straight points to help fend off the Pioneers.
Major size advantage
South Carolina will be without senior center Kamilla Cardoso for its firstround game in the NCAA Tournament after she was ejected for her role in a fight against LSU in the SEC Tournament championship game.
Even without the 6-foot-7 Cardoso, the Gamecocks should have no problem cleaning up the boards.
At 6-foot-3, Brady is the Blue Hose’s tallest player. They were outrebounded 55-33 by the Gamecocks in December, with sophomore forwards Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins each recording double-doubles. Cardoso came one rebound short of the milestone.
Presbyterian is in first March Madness
Presbyterian is in its first NCAA Tournament after winning the Big South Conference tournament. The Blue Hose made history as the smallest school ever to play in the women’s NCAA basketball tournament with an undergraduate enrollment of 995.
Presbyterian’s win over Sacred Heart marked its first March Madness victory, but the Blue Hose are major underdogs against South Carolina.
Prediction
South Carolina 95, Presbyterian 41: Even without Cardoso, South Carolina’s first-round matchup should provide plenty of opportunity for Staley to rotate her nine available players. The Gamecocks can shake off the rust after nearly two weeks off while staying fresh for the second round against a Blue Hose team they’ve already beaten handedly.