For the second time in four years, the top‑ranked Gamecocks will travel overseas to launch their campaign.
Key points
- Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks have a strong history in season openers, especially against ranked opponents.
- The Paris venue provides a rare international stage for the top‑ranked team’s first game.
- Key players to watch include returning scorer Joyce Edwards and Maryland’s leading scorer Oluchi Okananwa.
The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team will tip off the 2026‑27 season on Nov. 2 at noon ET, facing No. 20 Maryland in the first half of a doubleheader at Adidas Arena in Paris, France. The contest will be televised on ESPN and streamed online via the program’s live‑stats portal.
Head coach Dawn Staley, now in her 27th season as a head coach and 19th with the Gamecocks, brings a remarkable résumé to the opener. Under her guidance, South Carolina has posted a 16‑2 record in season‑opening games and is 4‑1 against ranked opponents in those matchups. The team is currently ranked No. 1 in both the AP and USA Today/WBCA preseason polls.
Season opener in Paris
Returning star forward Joyce Edwards leads the squad with a 19.2 points‑per‑game average and 6.8 rebounds last season, while guard Tessa Johnson contributed a 44.8 percent three‑point shooting rate. All three—Edwards, Johnson and forward Chloe Kitts—appear on the Naismith Trophy preseason watch list, underscoring the talent on the roster.
Maryland, coached by Brenda Frese, counters with junior forward Oluchi Okananwa, who posted 17.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season. The Terrapins enter the game ranked No. 20 in the AP poll and No. 17 in the coaches’ poll.
Staley's record in openers and against ranked foes
Historically, South Carolina holds a 7‑2 edge over Maryland, including five straight wins in the Staley era, the most recent being a Sweet 16 victory in March 2025. The Gamecocks have also compiled a 147‑75 record against ranked teams since Staley took over in 2008‑09, with a .786 winning percentage since the 2014‑15 season.
The roster features seven newcomers, highlighted by transfer guard Jordan Lee—ranked the nation’s No. 6 impact transfer by ESPN—and a freshman class that includes No. 3 recruit Oliviyah Edwards and Naismith Player of the Year finalist Jerzy Robinson. Veteran forwards Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins return after injury setbacks, adding depth to the frontcourt.
Key players and new additions
The Paris matchup marks the Gamecocks’ second overseas season opener in four years, following a 2023 debut at the inaugural Oui‑Play event. Media coverage will include a live radio broadcast on 107.5 The Game and a TV simulcast on ESPN.
Reader questions
When and where is the Gamecocks' season‑opening game?
The game is scheduled for 12:00 pm ET on Nov. 2, 2026, at Adidas Arena in Paris, France.
Who are the head coaches for South Carolina and Maryland?
South Carolina is led by Dawn Staley, entering her 27th season as a head coach, while Maryland is coached by Brenda Frese.
Why is the Paris location notable for the Gamecocks?
It is the second time in four seasons that South Carolina has opened its campaign overseas, offering an international spotlight and a doubleheader broadcast on ESPN.
Source: gamecocksonline.com
