The No. 20 Terrapins travel to Paris for a season‑opening clash with the nation’s top‑ranked Gamecocks.
Key points
- South Carolina enters as a heavy favorite, boasting a 36‑4 record and superior shooting percentages.
- Maryland’s overseas debut offers valuable exposure but pits the Terrapins against a historically dominant opponent.
- International players like Lea Bartelme view the Paris game as a rare chance for family support.
- The two programs have met nine times since 2008, with Maryland winning only twice.
Maryland’s women’s basketball program will kick off the 2026‑27 season on Monday at the Adidas Arena in Paris, France, as part of the Oui‑Play double‑header. The game, slated for 12 p.m. EST on ESPN, pits the No. 20 Terrapins against the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks, who are entering the season unbeaten.
South Carolina arrives in Paris riding a 36‑4 record from last season, a SEC Tournament finalist finish and an NCAA semifinal appearance. Head coach Dawn Staley, now in her 18th year, will rely on junior forward Joyce Edwards—who shattered seven school records as a sophomore—senior guard Tessa Johnson, the program’s all‑time three‑point leader, and graduate forward Chloe Kitts, who returns from ACL surgery and was named to the Naismith Trophy preseason watch list.
International debut in Paris
Terrapins head coach Brenda Frese called the overseas matchup “an incredible opportunity,” emphasizing the “high‑level exposure” the team hopes to gain from the Oui‑Play event. Maryland, one of only four programs selected for the overseas series, acknowledges the steep challenge, noting South Carolina’s dominance in national polls since 2012 and a historical 2‑wins‑out‑of‑9 record against the Gamecocks.
The trip also offers a homecoming for Maryland’s international players. Slovenian guard Lea Bartelme said the short flight to Paris brings her family closer, adding, “The flight [from Slovenia] is only like one and a half or two hours… My family is going to be there, so that’s really great.” Bartelme missed the previous season after an ACL tear, making this overseas stop especially meaningful.
South Carolina’s strengths and key players
South Carolina’s statistical strengths—50 % field‑goal shooting, 37 % from three‑point range and 73 % from the free‑throw line last season—contrast with Maryland’s underdog status. The Gamecocks have never dropped from the AP poll since December 2012, and their familiarity with Adidas Arena, having played the inaugural Oui‑Play game there in 2023, adds another layer to the preview.
Reader questions
When and where is the Maryland‑South Carolina women’s basketball game being played?
The game takes place on Monday at Adidas Arena in Paris, France, as part of the Oui‑Play double‑header, with a 12 p.m. EST kickoff on ESPN.
Which South Carolina players are highlighted as key contributors?
Junior forward Joyce Edwards, senior guard Tessa Johnson and graduate forward Chloe Kitts are identified as the Gamecocks’ primary threats.
How have Maryland and South Carolina fared against each other historically?
Since South Carolina’s first meeting with Maryland in 2008, the Terrapins have won two of the nine matchups.
Source: testudotimes.com
