How to Watch: South Carolina vs. College of Charleston — Time, TV, Venue & Season Preview
South Carolina women’s basketball will get an early opportunity to test its revamped roster when the Gamecocks face College of Charleston in an exhibition matchup Sunday at 4 p.m. The game comes only about a week into South Carolina’s official preseason practices, making it an early chance for Dawn Staley’s team to experience game-like conditions before the regular season begins.
How to Watch South Carolina vs. College of Charleston
- Matchup: South Carolina vs. College of Charleston
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 4 p.m.
- Location: Credit One Stadium, Daniel Island, Charleston, South Carolina
- TV/Streaming: ESPN+, available through ESPN.com and the ESPN app
- Event: LinkU Invitational
For South Carolina guard Jordan Lee, the unusual setting makes the exhibition particularly exciting.
“We’re super excited. Any time I think an event like that has happened in college athletics, it’s always been something that’s elevated, whether it’s been volleyball, basketball.”
Lee added that playing outdoors provides an opportunity for the Gamecocks to experience something different while representing South Carolina.
“To be a part of it, having an outdoor environment, something that’s new, something that’s different, and to be able to represent the brand of South Carolina, we’re stoked.”
LinkU Invitational Brings Basketball Outdoors
The South Carolina–College of Charleston matchup is part of the LinkU Invitational, an unusual basketball event featuring multiple exhibition games at Credit One Stadium.
The event was originally planned around men’s basketball, with Virginia and Vanderbilt scheduled for noon, followed by The Citadel and College of Charleston at approximately 2 p.m. South Carolina’s women’s exhibition was subsequently added to the event.
Credit One Stadium normally hosts tennis and concerts. Following renovations, its capacity was increased to approximately 11,000 spectators, and a basketball court will be constructed over the stadium’s existing tennis courts.
The weekend also includes opportunities for Gamecock fans to attend a Chalk Talk, watch South Carolina practice and participate in other activities surrounding the event.
Why South Carolina Joined the Event
Dawn Staley has previously embraced innovative basketball experiences, including South Carolina’s participation in the Oui Play event in Paris. The Gamecocks are scheduled to return to France for their regular-season opener in November.
Staley said the LinkU opportunity was presented to South Carolina director of operations Ariana Moore, who handles scheduling.
“Ari does our schedule. People actually bring her opportunities for us to [be] innovative. We like innovative. We like doing new things and experiencing new things.”
The event also gives South Carolina an opportunity to connect with its fan base in the Charleston area.
Weather and Court Conditions Remain a Concern
The biggest question surrounding the outdoor exhibition isn’t necessarily basketball—it is whether conditions will be suitable for play.
Charleston temperatures were expected to reach the low 80s, with humidity potentially making conditions feel warmer. More importantly, condensation on the court could create a safety issue.
Previous outdoor basketball and volleyball events have experienced problems with wet playing surfaces, including an exhibition on the USS Yorktown that was canceled because of condensation.
Staley made it clear that player safety will determine whether the games remain outdoors.
“Yes, we are real concerned about the court conditions, but we’ve got two games before ours to make a good decision.”
She added:
“We’re not gonna put anybody in harm’s way.”
A New-Look South Carolina Roster
The Gamecocks enter the season with a full 15-player roster, featuring eight returning players, five freshmen and two transfers.
South Carolina returns key players Tessa Johnson and Joyce Edwards, who both started last season. Johnson averaged 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists, while shooting an SEC-best 44.8% from three-point range.
Edwards was an All-American after leading South Carolina with 19.2 points per game and adding 6.8 rebounds.
The Gamecocks also expect major contributions from Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, who are returning from ACL injuries.
Meanwhile, South Carolina’s talented sophomore core—Ayla McDowell, Agot Makeer and Alicia Tournebize—returns alongside five highly regarded freshmen. Transfers Jordan Lee and Brooke Quarles-Daniels add additional experience and depth to the backcourt.
Series History
The provided article does not include a specific South Carolina–College of Charleston series-history record, so no historical win-loss figure is included here.
For the Gamecocks, however, Sunday’s exhibition is primarily about evaluating chemistry, integrating new players and getting valuable game experience before the 2026–27 season officially begins.
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