After successful 2023-24 campaigns, the University of South Carolina men’s and women’s basketball teams are back on the court seeking similar results this year. 

The women’s team is fresh off becoming the fifth program in history to go wire-to-wire undefeated and win a national title. The Gamecocks are seeking to become the first team since 2016 Uconn to win back-to-back titles and the third program to win three championships in four years. 

No. 1 South Carolina took the court for the first time this season on Nov. 4 in Las Vegas with a narrow win over Michigan. The Gamecocks defeated the Wolverines 68-62 after Chloe Kitts went off for 19 points and 14 rebounds. 

The Gamecocks struggled with efficiency in the game, finishing 33% from the floor and 19% from three. Head coach Dawn Staley was clear after the game. The team needed to play better and give more effort. 

"I like that we've been challenged. I like the fact that we've been exposed in certain areas,” Staley said. “It’s great film, great lessons, great gut check, great opportunity for us to learn.”

South Carolina easily won all four of its next games by double-digits. The team defeated No. 9 N.C. State 71-57 in Charlotte, Coppin State 92-60, East Carolina 95-44 and Clemson 77-45. 

In the win against Clemson, the Gamecocks improved to 5-0 this season and secured their 43rd consecutive win, a new program record. Dawn Staley is now 14-2 against the Tigers. 

“It means that our players make a commitment to the team. They make a commitment to us. They make a commitment to each other,” Staley said. “When you do it that way, you could have this type of historical moment that you appreciate.” 

Like last season, the Gamecocks can lean on many players to carry the load on any given night. So far, four players average double-digit scoring and eight average at least five points per game.

Newcomer Joyce Edwards has had an impressive Gamecock debut, fitting into the team’s scheme nicely. The Camden native is averaging 10 points and five rebounds through five contests. 

The Gamecocks suffered their first loss since the 2023 final four game against Iowa on the road against No. 5 UCLA. South Carolina’s efficiency struggles continued in the loss as the Bruins shot about 10 percent better from the field. 

South Carolina bounced back from the loss with two wins in the Fort Myers Tip-Off over the Thanksgiving holiday. South Carolina defeated No. Iowa State by 40 points before beating Purdue 99-51. 

The Gamecocks entered this week ranked No. 3 in the AP poll. The team will next take the court this Thursday at home against No. 8 Duke before traveling to Fort Worth, Texas for a neutral site game against TCU. 

On the men’s side, the Gamecocks have had an up-and-down start to the year. 

South Carolina started the season 0-1 after losing on its home floor to North Florida 74-71. The Gamecocks got off to slow starts in both halves and despite leading most of the game, never got significant separation on the scoreboard.

North Florida overcame a five-point halftime to tie the game with under two minutes to go, and then, outscored the Gamecocks 10-7 down the stretch for the narrow win. 

The Gamecocks got their first win of the season in its next game against South Carolina State. South Carolina defeated the Bulldogs 86-64 behind a 20-point performance from Jacobi Wright. 

"I thought we did a really good job defensively," Paris said after the win. "There was one stretch in the first half where we really were cooking as a defensive unit, and then we followed those up with good rebounding."

Since the win against South Carolina State, the Gamecocks have gone 4-2 with wins over Townson, Mercer, Virginia Tech and Boston College and losses to ranked Indiana and ranked Xavier. 

Sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles leads the team in points and rebounds, averaging 16 points and nine rebounds per contest. Jamarii Thomas, Wright, Zachary Davis are also averaging double-figures. 

The Gamecocks beat Boston College 73-51 this week as part of the ACC/SEC challenge. The team will return home for a Saturday game against East Carolina.