The showdown between South Carolina and LSU has evolved into one of women’s college basketball’s most compelling rivalries, and their February 14th meeting promises to deliver unprecedented drama.
A Rivalry Forged in Excellence
The significance of this matchup extends beyond typical conference competition. ESPN recognized this by selecting the game for a primetime ABC slot—a rare honor in women’s basketball that reflects the magnitude of the occasion.
“They’re two of the top programs in the game,” said college basketball analyst Debbie Antonelli. “Every time they play it’s for something really important, not just regular seeding, regular season titles or tournament titles, it’s also for NCAA seeding.”
When ESPN needed a marquee women’s basketball game for ABC’s Saturday night primetime window, the decision was straightforward.
“You’ve got so many different storylines with it. They are bitter rivals, they both have unbelievable history of success,” said Dan Margulis, ESPN’s senior director of programming and acquisitions.
The Coaches: Mutual Respect, Fierce Competition
The relationship between head coaches Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey encapsulates the rivalry’s intensity and mutual respect. A memorable exchange captured during an ESPN documentary on former South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso revealed the coaches’ perspective on what their matchups represent.
During their pre-game meeting before South Carolina’s 76-70 victory on January 25, 2024, at Pete Maravich Assembly Center, Mulkey whispered to Staley:
“Girl, they can say whatever the hell they want, it don’t get no better than what you and I (expletive) put on this floor.”
Since that encounter, Mulkey’s assessment has only grown more accurate.
Historical Context
The series, which LSU leads 22-21 overall, began in 1992. However, the modern rivalry’s foundation was laid when Staley arrived at South Carolina for the 2008-09 season. Mulkey coached at Baylor for 21 years before accepting the LSU position beginning in the 2021-22 season.
The series has featured dramatic momentum swings. LSU dominated with 14 consecutive victories from 1998-2011. South Carolina responded by initiating a 17-game winning streak in 2012 that LSU will attempt to end on Valentine’s Day.
Between South Carolina’s national championships in 2022 and 2024, Mulkey captured her first title with LSU in 2023, adding another dimension to the competitive landscape.
Mulkey seeks her first victory against Staley since defeating her twice while coaching Baylor. Meanwhile, Staley is one championship away from matching Mulkey’s career total of four national titles.
“The results haven’t been as one would hope in a rivalry, but there’s been national championships won by both teams,” said Chaunte’l Powell of No Cap Space, which covers women’s college basketball and the WNBA. “So I feel like while it hasn’t been against each other, I think the results count. They’re two high-caliber teams. We’ve been talking about this game and looking forward to it all season.”
The Fulwiley Factor
Former South Carolina star MiLaysia Fulwiley’s transfer to LSU represents one of the offseason’s most significant moves, injecting additional intrigue into an already heated rivalry.
Publicly, there’s been no indication of animosity in any direction. Staley stated in May that she wants Fulwiley to be happy. South Carolina players commented supportively on Fulwiley’s announcement post. Mulkey said on February 8 that she’s unaware of any bad blood.
South Carolina point guard Raven Johnson’s mother Kia told The Greenville News in November that most players portrayed as adversaries by fans are actually friends.
Nevertheless, Fulwiley’s decision amplifies an already hyped matchup.
“I don’t consider it a rivalry, but I do think MiLaysia going to LSU, I think that adds a wrinkle to it,” said NBC’s Natalie Esquire. “I think there’ll be an extra bit of spiciness, not that there hasn’t been spiciness already in the past, but I do think it adds something to the matchup now.”
The competitive edge and verbal exchanges between the programs epitomize elite basketball’s appeal.
“I think this is one of the biggest games of the season,” Madeline Kenney of the New York Post said. “It’s definitely one of those premier games that any basketball fan will not want to miss.”
Fulwiley’s Journey and Performance
Fulwiley, known for her dynamic playmaking and stylistic flair, delivered a memorable performance in the 2024 SEC tournament championship against LSU. As a freshman, she scored 24 points to secure both the victory and the MVP award.
At LSU, she continues coming off the bench as she did at South Carolina, averaging 13.4 points compared to 11.7 points in each of her first two collegiate seasons.
“I think that anytime a player is playing their former team there are emotions there,” Kenney said. “There’s an extra level of desire to beat your former team, whether it’s spoken or not. It’s just internal as a competitor, you want to prove that you made the right decision by leaving, to some degree.”
Fulwiley’s departure carries additional emotional weight. She didn’t just leave any program—she left her hometown. Growing up approximately 15 minutes from Colonial Life Arena, she repeatedly cited the desire for a fresh start as a primary motivation for her transfer.
Moreover, she joined a program that just one year earlier had been involved in a physical altercation with her former teammates.
“I think we as people and sports fans are kind of wired to really love a storyline like that, it is really interesting just the fact that she was a hometown kid, and ended up leaving for a school that people kind of consider to be a rival, that’s a huge deal,” Laase said.
Meeting the Moment
As No. 3 South Carolina (24-2, 10-0 SEC) travels to Baton Rouge to face No. 6 LSU (22-3, 8-3) on February 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, the stakes have never been higher.
This game arrives at a moment when other anticipated marquee matchups have failed to deliver. Tennessee upset UConn last year but lost 96-66 in this year’s rematch. Notre Dame historically challenges the Huskies but fell 85-47. ABC showcased Tennessee on February 8, and 2.1 million viewers watched South Carolina deliver the Lady Vols’ worst loss in program history—the most-watched women’s basketball game this season.
That viewership record could fall within days.
“It’s hard to quantify what is the most important game because I think when the schedule came out we could have said ‘UConn vs. Tennessee’ (or Notre Dame vs. UConn) … but this time we have a game where everyone expected them to be really good and they have been. I really think it’s going to deliver,” said women’s basketball reporter Eden Laase, who has written for the New York Times and Yahoo Sports.
The ingredients for a classic are all present: championship-caliber teams, Hall of Fame coaches, a homecoming for a former star, and a primetime national stage. South Carolina and LSU have consistently proven they understand the assignment when the spotlight is brightest.
