Primetime ABC Broadcast Marks Milestone for Women’s College Basketball as Top-10 Rivals Clash
In what promises to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season, ESPN’s College GameDay will make its way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the February 14th Valentine’s Day clash between the No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks and the No. 6 LSU Tigers. The announcement represents a historic moment for women’s basketball and continues the storied rivalry between two of the sport’s premier programs.
A Historic Broadcasting Milestone
According to ESPN, this will mark the first time that a women’s college basketball game will air in the primetime slot on ABC’s Saturday night slate, signaling the continued growth and mainstream recognition of women’s basketball. The decision to feature this rivalry matchup in such a prominent time slot underscores both the quality of play and the compelling storylines surrounding these two programs.
The College GameDay crew will be in Baton Rouge for the Valentine’s Day showdown between USC and LSU, bringing the full spectacle and national spotlight that has become synonymous with college basketball’s premier pregame show.
GameDay’s Growing Women’s Basketball Presence
GameDay has had one other women’s broadcast this season, Texas-Oklahoma this weekend, demonstrating ESPN’s commitment to expanding coverage of women’s college basketball. For South Carolina specifically, this appearance holds special significance.
This will be Carolina’s seventh appearance on the women’s basketball edition of College GameDay, the most of any school, a testament to the program’s consistent excellence and national appeal under head coach Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks have become appointment viewing for college basketball fans, with their games regularly drawing massive audiences and generating significant media attention.
The Third Consecutive Year: A Rivalry Worth Watching
This will mark the third year in a row that College GameDay has scheduled a South Carolina-LSU trip, though circumstances have prevented some broadcasts from occurring as planned.
Last season, GameDay scheduled a show in Columbia for the 2024-2025 showdown between Carolina and LSU, but it never came to fruition due to a winter storm delaying LSU’s trip. The weather-related postponement denied fans the opportunity to see these programs face off with the GameDay backdrop in Columbia, making this year’s scheduled broadcast all the more anticipated.
The year before, the crew was in Baton Rouge for the “Big-Shot Breezy Hall” game, a reference to what has become an iconic moment in the rivalry’s recent history. That memorable contest showcased the intensity and drama that have made South Carolina-LSU must-watch television.
Broadcast Team and Coverage Details
ESPN has assembled its top-tier broadcast team for this primetime showcase. Christine Williamson, Andraya Carter, and Chiney Ogwumike are expected to lead the College GameDay panel, bringing their expertise and insight to preview what should be a compelling contest between two championship-caliber programs.
For the game broadcast itself, Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play), Rebecca Lobo (analyst), and Holly Rowe (sideline) will handle the game’s broadcast. This veteran crew has extensive experience covering women’s basketball’s biggest moments and will provide viewers with expert analysis throughout the contest.
The Dominance Streak: South Carolina’s Historical Edge
One of the most remarkable aspects of this rivalry is South Carolina’s sustained dominance over LSU in recent years. South Carolina has not lost to LSU since the 2011-2012 season, with the Gamecocks having won 17 in a row over the Tigers.
This winning streak spans multiple coaching regimes for both programs and represents one of the most lopsided series between two current top-10 teams in women’s college basketball. The sustained excellence required to maintain such a streak against a quality program like LSU speaks volumes about South Carolina’s consistency under Dawn Staley’s leadership.
For LSU head coach Kim Mulkey, breaking this streak represents a significant challenge. Kim Mulkey is 0-5 against USC as the head coach at LSU, despite her championship pedigree and success at building LSU into a national power since her arrival. Mulkey, who won three national championships at Baylor and led LSU to the 2023 NCAA title, has yet to solve the South Carolina puzzle.
The Valentine’s Day matchup presents Mulkey’s best opportunity yet to end both streaks, with LSU playing at home in front of what will surely be a raucous Pete Maravich Assembly Center crowd energized by the GameDay atmosphere.
Road to Valentine’s Day: South Carolina’s Schedule
Before facing LSU, Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks have a challenging three-game stretch that will test their depth and resilience. South Carolina has three games on the schedule before the LSU contest, starting at Texas A&M on Monday, February 2nd, then returning home to play Mississippi State on Thursday, February 5th, and taking on Tennessee on Sunday, February 8th.
This gauntlet features three quality SEC opponents, each presenting unique challenges:
Texas A&M (February 2) – A road test at Reed Arena where South Carolina will need to manage recent injury concerns and establish momentum for the crucial stretch ahead.
Mississippi State (February 5) – A home game against a Bulldogs team that always plays South Carolina tough, regardless of records or rankings.
Tennessee (February 8) – A showdown with the historic Lady Vols program that represents one of the SEC’s premier rivalries and a potential top-15 matchup.
The team will then have a Bye leading up to LSU, giving the Gamecocks nearly a week to prepare specifically for the Tigers and recover from what could be a physically demanding three-game week.
LSU’s Path to the Showdown
The Tigers face their own challenging schedule before hosting South Carolina. Having already beaten Alabama on Sunday, LSU’s road games against Texas (Thursday, February 5th) and Auburn (Sunday, February 8th) will lead into a Bye before the Gamecocks and Tigers play.
Both road contests present significant challenges:
At Texas (February 5) – The Longhorns have been formidable at home this season, and this represents a potential trap game for LSU looking ahead to the South Carolina matchup.
At Auburn (February 8) – Auburn’s hostile home environment and improving play make this another difficult test for the Tigers.
Successfully navigating these two road games would give LSU tremendous momentum heading into the South Carolina matchup, while stumbles could put additional pressure on the Tigers to break their losing streak against the Gamecocks.
Top-10 Clash: Current Rankings and Implications
With another rankings update due on Monday, South Carolina (21-2, 7-1) and LSU (21-2, 7-2) are both AP top 10 teams. The remarkably similar records underscore how evenly matched these programs are on paper, even if recent head-to-head results don’t reflect that parity.
In last week’s update, the Gamecocks slotted in at No. 3, while the Tigers were No. 6, setting up a classic top-10 matchup with significant implications for SEC standings, national championship positioning, and NCAA Tournament seeding.
SEC Standings Impact
South Carolina’s 7-1 conference record puts them in prime position atop the SEC standings, while LSU’s 7-2 mark keeps them in the hunt for the conference title. A Tigers victory would create a logjam at the top of the conference and potentially set up a thrilling race to the finish line. A Gamecocks win would further separate South Carolina from the pack and potentially give them breathing room in the conference championship chase.
National Championship Implications
Both programs entered the season with legitimate national championship aspirations. South Carolina, seeking to return to the Final Four after falling short in recent years despite their consistent excellence, has the talent and experience to compete for a title. LSU, having won the 2023 national championship, knows what it takes to cut down the nets and has the pieces to make another deep run.
This regular-season matchup could serve as a preview of a potential postseason clash, with both teams likely to earn high seeds in the NCAA Tournament. The winner gains not only bragging rights but also valuable experience in handling pressure situations against elite competition.
The Storylines to Watch
Dawn Staley vs. Kim Mulkey
The coaching matchup features two of the sport’s most accomplished and dynamic leaders. Staley, a Basketball Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist, has built South Carolina into a perennial powerhouse. Mulkey, equally accomplished with her championship pedigree, has quickly elevated LSU into championship contention since her arrival.
Both coaches are known for their passionate sideline presence, tactical acumen, and ability to motivate their players in big moments. Their contrasting styles and personalities add an extra layer of intrigue to an already compelling matchup.
Breaking the Streak
The 17-game winning streak hangs over this matchup like a cloud. For South Carolina, extending the streak reinforces their dominance and maintains the psychological edge they’ve held over LSU for more than a decade. For the Tigers, breaking the streak would be a program-defining moment and a statement that they’ve truly arrived as South Carolina’s equal.
The GameDay atmosphere and primetime ABC slot add additional pressure and motivation for both sides, potentially creating the perfect storm for an instant classic.
Impact Players and Key Matchups
Both teams feature rosters loaded with NBA-caliber talent and future professional players. The individual battles within the larger team contest—guards, forwards, and post players going head-to-head—will determine the outcome and provide showcases for some of women’s basketball’s brightest stars.
The Broader Impact: Women’s Basketball’s Moment
Beyond the specific game itself, this broadcast represents something larger for women’s basketball. The first primetime Saturday night women’s college basketball game on ABC signals mainstream acceptance and recognition of the sport’s entertainment value and cultural significance.
The decision by ESPN to feature this game in such a prominent slot reflects the network’s confidence in the product and their understanding of the audience’s appetite for high-level women’s basketball. Record-breaking attendance figures, television ratings, and social media engagement throughout this season have demonstrated that women’s basketball is experiencing unprecedented growth and popularity.
Looking Ahead: Championship Implications
As February unfolds and conference races intensify, both South Carolina and LSU will use this matchup as a measuring stick for their championship credentials. The game will reveal strengths to build upon and weaknesses to address as both programs prepare for the stretch run of the regular season and the postseason tournaments ahead.
For college basketball fans, Valentine’s Day 2026 promises to deliver a gift of elite competition, national storylines, and a historic broadcasting moment that could define the season for both programs.
Game Information:
- Date: Friday, February 14, 2026 (Valentine’s Day)
- Location: Pete Maravich Assembly Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- TV: ABC (Primetime)
- Pregame: ESPN College GameDay
- Current Rankings: No. 3 South Carolina (21-2, 7-1 SEC) vs. No. 6 LSU (21-2, 7-2 SEC)
- Series Streak: South Carolina has won 17 consecutive games since 2011-12
- Mulkey vs. Staley: Kim Mulkey is 0-5 against South Carolina as LSU head coach
Rankings and records subject to change based on upcoming games
