South Carolina’s SEC tournament rematch against Ole Miss is set. Here’s what to know
The rematch is set.
South Carolina will face Ole Miss in the SEC tournament semifinal on Saturday, the teams’ first meeting since USC’s 64-57 overtime victory last month.
The Rebels were one of two teams in the SEC this season to lose to the Gamecocks by fewer than 10 points.
Ole Miss defeated Texas A&M 77-60 on Friday to reach the semifinals. USC beat Arkansas 93-66 earlier in the day.
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. OLE MISS GAME INFO
Who: Ole Miss Rebels (23-7, 11-5 SEC) vs South Carolina Gamecocks (30-0, 16-0 SEC)
Where: Bon Secours Wellness Arena (15,951) in Greenville, S.C.
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: ESPNU
Stream: via ESPN app/ESPN.com
LAST MEETING
The Rebels took a one-point lead against South Carolina with 1:24 left in the game when the teams faced off on Feb. 19. They trailed by six points early into the quarter, but took advantage of a stalled-out Gamecocks offense and took the lead on an Angel Baker field goal.
A late free throw by Aliyah Boston tied the score near the end of regulation, and the Gamecocks pulled away for a seven-point victory in overtime.
South Carolina struggled from the field for most of that game. Senior guard Zia Cooke provided most of the offense with a 24-point performance, knocking down clutch jumpers in overtime to help put the game away. The Rebels made her work for it, though, as she shot 7 of 18 from the floor.
Ole Miss is known for its defensive prowess, ranking second in the SEC in scoring defense to South Carolina’s first. It relies on its veteran guard, Baker, for offense, but does have two other players who average double digits.
After February’s duel, Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin declared the Rebels as one of the nation’s best 25 teams, regardless of what The Associated Polls said. Ole Miss has won three straight games since then.
Saturday presents an opportunity for the Rebels to knock off the nation’s top team and secure a win against a ranked opponent.
For South Carolina, a win brings it one-step closer to winning its second of three desired championships this season. USC already won the SEC regular season, and now looks to win the conference tournament and national championship.
QUICK NOTES
South Carolina is on a program-best 36-game winning streak.
A win against South Carolina would be the first for McPhee-McCuin against the Gamecocks.
USC had three players make an All-SEC team for the 2022-23 season. Ole Miss had two.
Ole Miss went 0-3 against the SEC’s top three teams, but 9-2 against the rest of the conference.
The Gamecocks are the projected No. 1 overall seed for the tournament according to ESPN. The Rebels are a projected No. 7 seed in the Greenville 2 region.
- Dawn Staley has led South Carolina to seven SEC regular-season championships, and six SEC tournament championship wins.
GAMECOCKS AND REBELS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aliyah Boston, F, South Carolina: Boston won SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year this week, and recorded a double-double in South Carolina’s win against Arkansas on Friday. Boston’s passing ability from the post adds another dimension to her game, as she ended with five assists against the Razorbacks.
Zia Cooke, G, South Carolina: Cooke is USC’s leading scorer and was the driving force in the win against the Rebels in February. Cooke’s proven to be dangerous when her shot is falling, as she has delivered six 20-point games so far this year.
Angel Baker, G, Ole Miss: Baker leads the Rebels in scoring and poured in 17 points against the Gamecocks earlier in the season. Baker’s in her fifth college basketball season and second with Ole Miss.
Madison Scott, F, Ole Miss: Scott was named to the All-SEC second team as Ole Miss’ second leading scorer and leading rebounder. She totaled 16 points and eight rebounds against Texas A&M on Friday on an efficient 5-of-9 shooting from the field.
