Here’s what we know about Queens University of Charlotte (the Royals) women’s basketball team, how they match up against South Carolina Gamecocks WBB, and what their realistic chances of winning might be. This is based on recent updates, roster moves, and stylistic insights.
What We Know About Queens WBB (Royals)
Program Status & Recent Performance
- The Queens Royals women’s basketball team is currently competing in Division I, in the ASUN Conference.
- In the 2024–25 season, the Royals went 10–19 overall and 4–14 in ASUN play, finishing near the bottom of the conference.
- They are in a transition phase: the program is still completing a four-year reclassification from Division II to Division I, meaning they are not yet eligible for the NCAA postseason until at least 2026–27. (Wikipedia)
Style of Play & Team Identity
From recent team reports and season outlooks, several characteristics of Queens’ playing style, strengths, and weaknesses emerge.
- Defensive Focus & Turnover Pressure
- According to their season summaries, Queens emphasizes defense. They ranked highly in forced turnovers, averaging a high number of steals. Coach Jen Brown emphasizes toughness, especially on defense. According to her, some of her players (e.g., Magda Freire) “add another level of intensity… on defense.”
- In the 2024–25 season, they were among the top ASUN teams in steals and also had a strong block rate. (Amazon Web Services, Inc.)
- This suggests their defensive identity leans toward pressure, disrupting opponents, and contesting inside shots.
- Depth, but With Growing Pains
- Queens is actively building depth: their 2025–26 outlook notes that seven players are returning, while several transfers and freshmen have been added to inject size, athleticism, and experience. Queens University of Charlotte Athletics
- Key returners include Ana Barreto (played a lot, 29.1 minutes per game last season) and Magda Freire, who reportedly shoots efficiently.
- On the frontcourt, they added transfers like Imani Morris (from Southern) to provide more post presence.
- In the backcourt, Queens brought in Mia Moore, a high-scoring JUCO guard, and Robynn Thompson, a freshman guard who was a prolific high school scorer.
- They also retained Jordyn Weaver, who was a central piece: in the previous season, she averaged 12.4 points and 8.4 rebounds.
- On the defensive end, Kemia Ward provides size and shot-blocking inside; she averaged solid block numbers, making her a rim protector.
- However, even with these additions, Queens is still building cohesion at the DI level — especially as some of their players come from JUCO or transfer backgrounds, meaning continuity may be a challenge early on.
- Physicality & Rebounding
- The presence of Ward in the paint gives Queens a more physical interior presence.
- Weaver’s rebounding strength is a plus: she has been one of their best rebounders, indicating Queens can compete on the boards, at least through her.
- Their block rate also hints that they can protect the rim reasonably well for their conference level.
- Tempo & Offensive Characteristics
- Queens doesn’t appear to rely on a frenetic, run-and-gun style so much as a more balanced system that leverages defense to create offense. Their ability to force turnovers gives them transition opportunities, but their roster suggests they also lean into structured sets: they have post players, sharpshooters, and versatile guards.
- From their outlook, Queens’ coach Jen Brown emphasizes growth, and the team is “focused on raising [their] standard every day.”
- Offensively, players like Weaver, Barreto, and Freire will likely carry much of the scoring load, with contributions from the newcomers in scoring and playmaking.
Notable Challenges & Concerns for Queens
- Experience at DI Level: Though they have returning players, many are still adapting to Division I competition, especially given that Queens has only recently transitioned.
- Depth Variability: While they added transfers and freshman, it’s unclear how quickly these new players will gel. The mix of JUCO, freshman, and transfers is promising, but blending talents into a coherent rotation can take time.
- Consistency in Scoring: Queens has a few reliable scorers, but they might struggle to consistently put up points against a top-tier program like South Carolina. If their offense becomes too dependent on a few individuals, SC’s defense could key in.
- Rebounding Against Elite Teams: Although they have some physicality, in a matchup vs. a powerhouse like South Carolina, Queens may be outmuscled on the glass, especially if SC has dominant forwards or bigs.
- Transition Risk: Their defensive pressure can create fast-break opportunities, but if they give up transition points (especially against a team that executes well), that could hurt them.
South Carolina Gamecocks WBB – Strengths (& Why They’re Tough to Beat)
To evaluate Queens’ chances, it’s important to understand what makes South Carolina so formidable:
- Coaching & Culture
- Led by Dawn Staley, one of the most respected coaches in women’s college basketball.
- Staley has built a team-first culture — she emphasizes unselfish play, and her squad often operates without relying on a single star.
- She also manages a deep roster very well, giving confidence to players off the bench while maintaining high performance. (CBS Sports)
- Talent & New Additions
- South Carolina has reloaded strategically: they added Ta’Niya Latson (a prolific scorer) and Madina Okot, a dominant big, through transfers. (College Sports Network)
- These additions address some specific needs: scoring punch from the guard position and size inside.
- Depth & Execution
- Depth is a major strength: Staley’s teams consistently deploy deep rotations. (CBS Sports)
- The Gamecocks excel in execution under pressure — both offensively and defensively. Their disciplined system is hard for underdog teams to crack.
- Turnovers & Pace
- While SC’s high-energy style is an advantage, it comes with risks: they have had games where turnovers are a concern. (NCAA.com)
- But their ability to defend, get stops, and control key moments often compensates.
What Are Queens’ Winning Chances Against South Carolina?
Putting together Queens’ profile and SC’s strengths, here’s an assessment of the realistic probability and key scenarios that could influence the outcome.
- Baseline Expectation
- Queens is a significant underdog. Given SC’s national standing, talent, and strategic advantages, the Royals would likely be expected to struggle to win in a full-strength, disciplined Gamecock team.
- Because Queens is still building, their win probability is low, likely in the single-digit percentage range in a one-off game (depending on how “full strength” SC is).
- Best-Case Scenario for Queens
- Defensive Disruption: If Queens successfully uses their pressure defense to force turnovers, they could generate transition points and put SC under stress.
- Rebounding Leverage: If Weaver and Ward dominate the boards, Queens might limit second-chance points for SC and control some possessions.
- Hot Shooting/Sharpshooting: If Freire, Thompson, or other guards get into a rhythm, Queens could make a surprising run, especially early.
- Coaching & Heart: Coach Jen Brown’s message about “raising the standard” suggests that Queens won’t just roll over: they could come in with a chip on their shoulder, which sometimes leads to inspired performances.
- Main Risks That Likely Erase That Upside
- Depth Mismatch: SC’s rotation is likely deeper and more battle-tested. Queens may not have enough firepower or consistency from its bench to match SC’s second units.
- Physical & Athletic Gap: South Carolina’s talent — especially with a big like Okot — could overpower Queens in the paint.
- Execution Under Pressure: Even if Queens applies pressure, SC has experience and composure. Late-game execution could favor the Gamecocks heavily.
- Turnover Exposure: If Queens forces turnovers but also gives them up, they could pay dearly against a sharp SC squad.
Conclusion: What to Make of This Matchup
- Queens WBB is a rising program. They’re bringing in size, athleticism, and a mix of experience and youth, and their defensive identity is strong. But they remain a work-in-progress at the Division I level.
- South Carolina, under Dawn Staley, remains a national powerhouse — deep, talented, and very well coached.
- In a head-to-head, Queens’ chances of winning are slim given SC’s advantages, but they are not zero: with the right game plan, high energy, and a few bounces, they could be competitive for stretches or even pull off a surprise if things break their way.
- Realistically, though, this game would probably be a “measuring stick” for Queens rather than a true upset candidate — a valuable experience but a tall order to come away with a win.
