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COLUMBIA — South Carolina women's basketball and Southern Cal didn't use to cross paths regularly.
From 1980 to 2014, the programs only met three times, but now the two schools will play three times in 12 months.
In March 2025, a bicoastal series was announced with the first game a neutral site in Los Angeles and the second in Greenville.
South Carolina won the first meeting 69-52 on Nov. 15 and didn't anticipate playing the Trojans again until Nov. 15, 2026. But in the Women's NCAA Tournament second round there's a bonus game.
The No. 1 seed Gamecocks (32-3) and the No. 9 Trojans (18-13) are playing in Colonial Life Arena on March 23 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) for a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.
Strength of schedule is a factor in March Madness seeding but isn't the whole picture, and coaches have different opinions on what a non-conference schedule should look like.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley typically aims to schedule ranked, difficult games before SEC play starts in January.
Coach Lindsay Gottlieb, who is in her fifth season with Southern Cal, sees things similarly to Staley.
"I think my philosophy and obviously building USC and trying to get to national championship contender and being one of the elite teams in women's college basketball, I've studied it for years, the best teams play each other in non-conference," Gottlieb said March 22.
Southern Cal played five ranked teams before conference play, including defending national champion UConn and went 2-3.
JuJu Watkins, one of the best players in the country, tore her ACL in the middle of March Madness last year. Gottlieb has been down her star scorer all season.
"Obviously there was some change just in terms of thinking this was a year we'd have JuJu in her junior year and then not, but you're never going to be sorry to play the best teams," Gottlieb said. "Maybe if we hadn't played Notre Dame and UConn and South Carolina, maybe our record would be a little better coming in, but it doesn't make you a better program."
Watkins' final two schools were Southern Cal and South Carolina.
Although Watkins didn't choose Staley's program, the South Carolina coach has maintained a relationship with her.
Staley said she sent the star player a text after the injury and the two shared smiles and hugs in their meeting in November.
In the world of the transfer portal, seeing an opposing coach have ties to your star player might be unsettling. But Gottlieb sees the relationship as a reflection of Staley.
"I think it speaks to like just the security level, I think Dawn seems super secure in who she is and what she's built," Gottlieb said. "... to see how she handles, if you don't get a player, you still obviously elevate people and treat them the right way. I definitely think she embodies that."
Watkins is in Columbia with her team and expects to be able to play against Staley's team in November.
"I know (Staley has) been somebody that JuJu has felt has been a positive influence or person regardless of which school she chose. .. Like that's just a really admirable way to look at things," Gottlieb said.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Lindsay Gottlieb on USC-South Carolina, Dawn Staley, JuJu Watkins
Continue reading...
From 1980 to 2014, the programs only met three times, but now the two schools will play three times in 12 months.
In March 2025, a bicoastal series was announced with the first game a neutral site in Los Angeles and the second in Greenville.
South Carolina won the first meeting 69-52 on Nov. 15 and didn't anticipate playing the Trojans again until Nov. 15, 2026. But in the Women's NCAA Tournament second round there's a bonus game.
The No. 1 seed Gamecocks (32-3) and the No. 9 Trojans (18-13) are playing in Colonial Life Arena on March 23 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) for a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.
Why series with South Carolina makes USC 'better'
Strength of schedule is a factor in March Madness seeding but isn't the whole picture, and coaches have different opinions on what a non-conference schedule should look like.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley typically aims to schedule ranked, difficult games before SEC play starts in January.
Coach Lindsay Gottlieb, who is in her fifth season with Southern Cal, sees things similarly to Staley.
"I think my philosophy and obviously building USC and trying to get to national championship contender and being one of the elite teams in women's college basketball, I've studied it for years, the best teams play each other in non-conference," Gottlieb said March 22.
Southern Cal played five ranked teams before conference play, including defending national champion UConn and went 2-3.
JuJu Watkins, one of the best players in the country, tore her ACL in the middle of March Madness last year. Gottlieb has been down her star scorer all season.
"Obviously there was some change just in terms of thinking this was a year we'd have JuJu in her junior year and then not, but you're never going to be sorry to play the best teams," Gottlieb said. "Maybe if we hadn't played Notre Dame and UConn and South Carolina, maybe our record would be a little better coming in, but it doesn't make you a better program."
Dawn Staley, JuJu Watkins relationship
Watkins' final two schools were Southern Cal and South Carolina.
Although Watkins didn't choose Staley's program, the South Carolina coach has maintained a relationship with her.
Staley said she sent the star player a text after the injury and the two shared smiles and hugs in their meeting in November.
In the world of the transfer portal, seeing an opposing coach have ties to your star player might be unsettling. But Gottlieb sees the relationship as a reflection of Staley.
"I think it speaks to like just the security level, I think Dawn seems super secure in who she is and what she's built," Gottlieb said. "... to see how she handles, if you don't get a player, you still obviously elevate people and treat them the right way. I definitely think she embodies that."
Watkins is in Columbia with her team and expects to be able to play against Staley's team in November.
"I know (Staley has) been somebody that JuJu has felt has been a positive influence or person regardless of which school she chose. .. Like that's just a really admirable way to look at things," Gottlieb said.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Lindsay Gottlieb on USC-South Carolina, Dawn Staley, JuJu Watkins
Continue reading...
