There’s a clash of titans Sunday as two national title contenders, the UConn Huskies and South Carolina Gamecocks, do battle at Colonial Life Arena. A break from conference play, which team reigns supreme.
Find out our thoughts in this UConn vs. South Carolina prediction.
UConn vs. South Carolina Betting Preview
All UConn vs. South Carolina odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025.
- Spread
South Carolina -6.5 - Moneyline
South Carolina -265, UConn +210 - Over/Under
136.5 Points - Game Time
Sunday, Feb. 16, 1 p.m. ET - Location
Colonial Life Arena | Columbia, SC - How To Watch
ABC
While the Gamecocks aren’t undefeated heading into this huge matchup like they have been in four of their last regular season games against the Huskies, they’re still having another impressive season.
The Gamecocks are 23-2 with the only losses coming on the road to top 5 teams. Similarly, the Huskies are playing well, with a 23-3 record comprised of losses to the USC Trojans (Home), Tennessee Lady Volunteers, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Both on the road).
But the Huskies have to go on the road to a place where they’ve struggled in recent years. Since 2020, the Huskies are 1-5 against the Gamecocks, including an 0-2 mark in Colonial Life Arena, with both losses coming by nearly 20 points. Can the Huskies buck that trend in 2025? The spread certainly implies this will be a closer game.
Prediction for UConn vs. South Carolina
Unsurprisingly, the star power in this one is absurd. Between UConn’s trio of Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and freshman Sarah Strong and the Gamecocks’ impressive depth, led by leading scorer (and freshman) Joyce Edwards, who comes off the bench, there’s no shortage of stars in this matchup.
South Carolina is approaching the all-time women’s basketball record home winning streak, a number that stands at 71 consecutive games, dating back to Dec. 2020. The Gamecocks are just 11 wins away from tying the Stanford Cardinal’s all-time record for the sport.
While that storyline is in the background, I’m looking at two key on-court matchups as I predict the outcome of this one.
First, we have UConn’s star power against South Carolina’s team depth. Geno Auriemma is known for using just 7-8 bodies throughout the game and the Huskies are actually a bit deeper than normal this season, as they’ve played nine players in each of their last three games against ranked opponents.
Still, that pales in comparison to the Gamecocks. Bueckers and Strong hardly ever leave the court in big games, while Fudd averages about 28 minutes a game since getting back to full strength after missing a couple of games with injury.
South Carolina is once again one of the deepest teams in the country. In last Sunday’s loss to Texas, eight Gamecocks played at least 18 minutes and only Bree Hall played more than 30 minutes.
Expect Hall, one of the best perimeter defenders in the country, to play extensive minutes Sunday as she attempts to slow down Bueckers.
The Gamecocks are equally balanced in scoring. Seven Gamecocks average between seven and 13 points per game, with Edwards leading the way.
Edwards is becoming the go-to scorer for the Gamecocks. After a tough start to her freshman season, Edwards has responded since conference play began. She’s averaging 15 points per game on 62% shooting from the field. Expect her to be more aggressive after attempting just six shots in the loss to Texas.
WHERE DOES YOUR TEAM RANK? CHECK OUT THE FULL CSN POWER RANKINGS
The other thing I’m watching is how South Carolina’s bigs play against quality competition. This is the first time in a decade that the Gamecocks haven’t had a dominant post player after being spoiled with Kamilla Cardoso, Aliyah Boston, and A’ja Wilson.
Chloe Kitts has been a solid rebounder for the Gamecocks, but at only 6’2″, she’s not the dominant two-way post presence that the Gamecocks can go to over and over like they’ve had in the past.
Dawn Staley has adjusted by slowing her pace and having the Gamecocks play suffocating defense. Still, some elite bigs have given the Gamecocks fits (TCU’s Sedona Prince scored just six points against the Gamecocks while Iowa State’s Audi Crooks was held to 13).
However, unlike teams like Texas and UCLA that have exploited South Carolina’s lack of size on the interior, UConn isn’t equipped to play from the inside out. For the Huskies to win, Strong has to show herself the better freshman.
With most of the Huskies’ scoring coming from the backcourt though, I’m wary of their ability to break down South Carolina’s elite defense, which might be the best the Gamecocks have had in years.
South Carolina’s blueprint this season has been to play stellar defense and ride thre hot hand. Accordingly, I like a few plays Sunday.
With Hall expected to play most of the game on Bueckers, I think Strong will get most of the looks. When Hall is on the bench, look for MiLaysia Fulwiley to try to frustrate Bueckers with speed and quickness. Bueckers’ points total is set at 18.5. I’m playing the under.
Similarly, I expect Fulwiley to penetrate and pass. South Carolina’s guards have had big games against UConn in the past, but Sunday, I like Edwards to do the most damage for the Gamecocks. You can find her points prop at 12.5, under her season average, even though her usage should be up.
Look for the Gamecocks to pull away late with one of their patented second-half defense-to-offense runs.
UConn could struggle to score, and the Gamecocks aren’t likely to light up the scoreboard. The total is low, so I don’t love that play, but lean under. Take the Gamecocks and the points instead.
Picks: Paige Bueckers Under 18.5 points, Joyce Edwards over 12.5 points, South Carolina -6.5
Prediction: South Carolina 72, UConn 59
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
