For the first time in over a decade, South Carolina and UConn will not face each other in the regular season — and that absence has sparked plenty of chatter. Some critics and fans have suggested that Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks might be “ducking” the Huskies to protect their record or avoid a tough non-conference test. But Staley isn’t having any of it.
The South Carolina head coach fired back at those claims this week, making it clear that her program doesn’t back down from anyone. “We don’t duck anybody,” Staley said, responding to accusations that the Gamecocks intentionally skipped the rivalry matchup. “We’ve played UConn every year since 2014. Sometimes schedules just don’t align — but trust me, we’ll see them again soon.”
Indeed, the two powerhouse programs have already agreed to renew their rivalry in the 2026 and 2027 seasons, according to Matt Dowell of WACH Fox. That confirmation should silence any remaining doubts about whether the Gamecocks were trying to avoid Geno Auriemma’s team.
Staley emphasized that the decision not to meet this year wasn’t about fear or strategy, but rather the realities of scheduling top-tier programs. “These games take planning years in advance,” she noted. “Our focus is always on growing women’s basketball and giving fans great matchups. We’ve never shied away from that.”
The South Carolina–UConn rivalry has been one of the sport’s defining series over the past decade, featuring national championship implications nearly every season. From Aliyah Boston’s dominance to Paige Bueckers’ brilliance, each matchup has delivered drama, passion, and national attention.
Although fans will have to wait until 2026 for the next showdown, one thing’s certain — Dawn Staley’s message is loud and clear: the Gamecocks aren’t afraid of anybody.
