The No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks welcome the No. 8 NC State Wolfpack to Columbia. In other NCAA women’s basketball action, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish look to establish themselves against the No. 22 Michigan Wolverines.
A top-10 matchup between the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks and the No. 8 NC State Wolfpack highlights a busy game slate that includes the No. 24 Michigan Wolverines going on the road to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The Gamecocks return to Colonial Life Arena after two wins in the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic against South Dakota and then-ranked No. 21 Gonzaga after opening the season with a tune-up against College of Charleston. NC State hits the road for the first time this season after two games at home against North Florida and NC Central.
Both teams have the depth to snap the other’s 2-0 season-starting record.
Highlights: SEC Player of the Week Destanni Henderson has reason to be “Cock”-y
You love to see it … @dh3so3hd getting her flowers!
: https://t.co/H4LJIdDFOk pic.twitter.com/yA16hXeKaz
— GamecockWBB (@GamecockWBB) December 1, 2020
Highlights: Kayla Jones isn’t shy about leading the Pack
Senior szn is here, and @Kayla25Jones isn’t messing around.#GoPack // #WeWin pic.twitter.com/zaQ0XfLIRH
— #8 NC State WBB (@PackWomensBball) November 30, 2020
The Wolverines opened the season ranked No. 25 and moved up a spot after Notre Dame — ranked No. 22 to start the season — lost in their season-opener to Ohio despite Dara Mabrey’s career-high 34 points. The Fighting Irish rebounded with a convincing win over Miami (Ohio). For Michigan, it was two easy wins over Central Michigan and Oakland led by junior Naz Hillmon, who scored a combined 61 points to open the season, including a career-high 35 points against Oakland.
Can the Irish, under first-year head coach Niele Ivey, tie their record with the Wolverines?
Highlights: Big Ten Player of the Week Naz Hillmon gives the Wolverines plenty of bite
Doesn’t matter how many people you throw at her. @nazhillmon named Big Ten Player of the Week: https://t.co/yqLET2KXKO#goblue pic.twitter.com/P047ZhRPn1
— Michigan Women’s Basketball (@umichwbball) November 30, 2020
Highlights: Double-digit efforts can get it done for Dame
Irish with double figures:
— 13
— 19
— 24Under four on the clock to close out our home opener and we lead it, 80-60 pic.twitter.com/Ifc2nOyEHU
— Notre Dame WBB (@ndwbb) November 29, 2020
Here’s what to expect of these matchups and how to watch:
Game information
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-1) vs. No. 24 Michigan Wolverines (2-0)
What to watch: Notre Dame is a guard-led team with a starting lineup comprised of four guards and one post player. For Michigan, Naz Hillmon is the focal point of the offense and it will fall to freshman forward Maddy Westbeld to defend her. Dara Mabrey was scoreless in Notre Dame’s last game after opening the season with 34 points. Notre Dame will need Mabrey to get going if they want to get the upset at home.
When: Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. ET
Where: Purcell Pavilion, South Bend, IN
How to watch: ACC Network
No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks (2-0) vs. No. 8 NC State Wolfpack (2-0)
What to watch : Zia Cooke and Destanni Henderson are the leading scorers for South Carolina, each averaging 17.7 points over their first two games. Kayla Crutchfield has elevated her game to start the season for the Wolfpack. The matchup to watch will be Elissa Cunane against Aliyah Boston — two of the best post players in the country go to head to head.
When: Thursday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC
How to watch: ESPN2