South Carolina and UConn Hit Pause on Rivalry for 2025-26 Season
COLUMBIA — One of women’s college basketball’s most electrifying rivalries is taking a break. According to a report from CT Insider, South Carolina and UConn will not face each other during the 2025-26 regular season, marking the first time in 12 years the two powerhouses won’t clash on the court.
When contacted by The Greenville News on June 27, spokespeople from both athletic departments did not confirm or deny the report. As of now, no official explanation has been given.
The matchup has been a staple of the women’s basketball landscape since the teams began meeting regularly in 2013, after their initial matchup in 2007—before Dawn Staley took the helm at South Carolina.
A Storied Rivalry
The Gamecocks and Huskies met twice last season, with UConn dominating both contests. The first came on Feb. 16 in Columbia, where UConn handed South Carolina an 87-58 loss. They met again in the 2025 national championship game, and UConn once again came out on top, 82-59.
Despite the recent defeats, South Carolina had won the previous four matchups, shifting the narrative in a rivalry that began with eight straight wins by UConn. The overall series now stands at 11-5 in favor of the Huskies.
Staley made history in 2022, becoming the only coach to beat Geno Auriemma in a national title game. That victory gave her a second national championship, while Auriemma secured his 12th this past season—extending his lead for the most titles in women’s college basketball history. Staley is currently tied for fourth all-time with three championships.
A New Chapter for Former Rivals
The connection between the programs extends beyond college. In the WNBA, Auriemma leads with 15 former players across the league, while Staley ranks third with 10 alumni now playing professionally.
A recent example of their convergence? South Carolina’s Bree Hall and UConn’s Kaitlyn Chen—rivals in the 2025 national title game—are now teammates with the Golden State Valkyries. Hall light-heartedly joked on X (formerly Twitter) that their fan bases should unite now that they’re on the same side.
2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule (So Far)
While a UConn showdown isn’t on the books, South Carolina’s non-conference schedule is already shaping up to be a test:
- Nov. 15: at USC (Southern Cal)
- Thanksgiving week: in Las Vegas tournament with Duke, Texas, and UCLA
- Dec. 4: at Louisville (ACC/SEC Challenge)
- Dec. 18: at USF (University of South Florida)
- Dec. 28: vs Providence (home)
More games are expected to be announced, but for now, the Gamecocks-Huskies rivalry is on hold—leaving fans wondering when the next chapter will unfold.
