Now that South Carolina women’s basketball has cut down the nets in Albany, it’s time to move attention to NC State in the Final Four.
The No. 1 seed Gamecocks (36-0) can advance to the national championship game for the second time in three years if it beats the No. 3 Wolfpack (31-6) on Friday (6 p.m., ESPN) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
South Carolina took down No. 3-seeded Oregon State on Sunday, advancing to the Final Four for the fourth straight year. NC State’s win over No. 1 Texas sent the Wolfpack to their second-ever Final Four.
While this is the first time the programs have played in the NCAA Tournament, it will be the 33rd overall meeting between the teams. NC State holds the series advantage at 20-12 and was the last team to beat South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena on Dec. 3, 2020.
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA Tournament brackets, scores, schedules, teams and more.
Here’s what you need to know about the matchup.
NC State star Saniya Rivers played for Dawn Staley at South Carolina
Former Gamecock Saniya Rivers will take to the floor to play her old team on Friday. Rivers was a freshman at South Carolina during the 2021-22 season and played in 27 games and averaged 2.3 points over 12.9 minutes per game. After the season, she entered the portal and left for the Wolfpack.
Rivers has been exceptional at NC State and was named first-team All-ACC this season after averaging 12.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in 34 games, all starts. As a sophomore last season, she was named the ACC Sixth Player of the Year.
NC State has 5 players scoring in double figures
Rivers is joined in the backcourt by fellow first-team All-ACC selection Aziaha James, who is the Wolfpack’s leading scorer at 16.7 points per game. James and Rivers pace a group of five players all averaging double figures in scoring for NC State.
Forward Mimi Collins is averaging 10.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, center River Baldwin scores 10.6 points and grabs 6.9 boards per game and guard Madison Hayes averages 10.4 points and 6.9 rebounds. Guard Zoe Brooks scored 8.9 points per game off the bench.
South Carolina-NC State features top rebounding teams
NC State is 10th in the nation, only turning the ball over 12.1 times per game. The Wolfpack rank 12th nationally in rebounds per game at 42.9, although the Gamecocks rebound at a better rate – their 46.2 rebounds per game is third in the country.
CUTTING THE NETS: Why making the Final Four still feels so good for South Carolina women’s basketball, Dawn Staley
South Carolina prediction vs NC State: March Madness Final Four
South Carolina 81, NC State 75: Every team in the Final Four is good, and each of them poses a risk to end South Carolina’s undefeated season. But the Gamecocks have too many weapons for NC State to handle. This one won’t be easy, but South Carolina will be able to string together a run when it needs it to close out the Wolfpack and move to the championship game.
Evan Gerike covers South Carolina women’s basketball for the Greenville News. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @EvanGerike.
