South Carolina vs. Maryland: How to Watch, US & France TV Channels, Freshman Spotlight and Starting Fives
The 2026-27 women’s college basketball season begins with an exciting international matchup as the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks take on the No. 20 Maryland Terrapins in Paris, France.
Dawn Staley’s team will face one of its most challenging opening opponents in recent seasons when the two programs meet at Adidas Arena. Both teams enter the contest with high expectations, talented rosters and several newcomers eager to make an immediate impact.
The game will also be an opportunity for South Carolina’s French players, Alicia Tournebize and Justine Loubens, to compete in front of supporters in their home country.
Game Information: South Carolina vs. Maryland
- Matchup: No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 20 Maryland
- Date: Monday, November 2, 2026
- Tipoff: 12 p.m. ET
- Venue: Adidas Arena, Paris, France
- Event: Oui-Play Paris
- United States TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN App with an applicable subscription
How to Watch in the United States
Basketball fans in the United States can watch the matchup live on ESPN. The broadcast will also be accessible through the ESPN App for viewers with an eligible subscription.
ESPN has confirmed that South Carolina and Maryland will open its Paris doubleheader at noon Eastern Time. The second game will feature North Carolina against Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Possible French Television Coverage
For viewers in France, the game is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time.
However, no official announcement has confirmed a French television broadcaster for this particular matchup. Channels such as beIN SPORTS, Canal+ and France Télévisions should not be listed as confirmed options without an announcement from the event organizers or broadcasters.
The Adidas Arena and Paris event listings confirm the matchup and its local start time, but do not identify a French TV channel.
South Carolina’s Projected Starting Five
Dawn Staley has several options available as she prepares her team for the season opener. Based on the latest rotation projections, the Gamecocks’ expected starting lineup is:
- Tessa Johnson – Guard
- Jordan Lee – Guard
- Agot Makeer – Wing
- Chloe Kitts – Forward
- Joyce Edwards – Forward
This group combines returning experience with the versatility South Carolina needs to compete against Maryland’s aggressive defensive approach.
Johnson provides an experienced scoring option in the backcourt, while Lee brings additional playmaking ability after transferring from Texas. Makeer’s athleticism gives the Gamecocks another versatile perimeter player.
Inside, Kitts and Edwards offer scoring, rebounding and physicality. Edwards, in particular, will be an important offensive presence after averaging 19.2 points per game last season.
Injury update: Freshman Kaeli Wynn is expected to miss the game while continuing her recovery from major knee surgery. The latest availability report indicated that the other Gamecocks should be available.
This is a projected lineup, not an officially confirmed starting five. Staley could still make adjustments before tipoff.
Maryland’s Projected Starting Five
Brenda Frese also has considerable talent available, and the Terrapins are expected to feature a balanced lineup.
Maryland’s projected starters are:
- Oluchi Okananwa – Guard
- Addi Mack – Guard
- Nunu Agara – Forward
- Bri McDaniel – Guard
- Jordyn Jackson – Guard
Okananwa is one of Maryland’s most important offensive players. She averaged 17.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season and earned First Team All-Big Ten recognition.
Mack provides another established scoring option after averaging 11 points per game and earning Big Ten All-Freshman honors.
Agara arrives from Stanford with an impressive résumé, having earned Second Team All-ACC recognition in each of her last two seasons. Her scoring and rebounding could be particularly important against South Carolina’s frontcourt.
McDaniel’s return is another major development. She missed the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from an ACL injury but brings valuable experience and backcourt production.
Freshman Jackson adds athleticism and potential to the starting group.
Maryland’s projected lineup is also subject to confirmation. Guard Lea Bartelme is returning from an ACL injury, while forward Ava McKennie is not expected to play after missing both exhibitions.
Freshmen to Watch
Both programs enter the season with highly regarded recruiting classes.
South Carolina’s freshman group includes Oliviyah Edwards, Jerzy Robinson, Kaeli Wynn, Kelsi Andrews and Justine Loubens. ESPN ranked the class second nationally.
Maryland’s group, featuring Jordyn Jackson, Trinity Jones, Mimi Thiero and Eva-Grace Yebila, received a No. 7 national ranking.
Jerzy Robinson and Trinity Jones particularly impressed during the exhibition period. Both have shown the potential to make an immediate impact.
Both programs will be looking for their young players to contribute as the season gets underway.
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