Ahead of No. 8 Duke women’s basketball’s matchup against No. 3 South Carolina on the road, The Chronicle previews the game with an overview, key stat, X-Factor and three keys:
Overview
2023-2024 record: 38-0, 16-0 in the SEC
2024-2025 record: 7-1
Head coach: Dawn Staley
Series history: South Carolina leads 7-2
Last meeting: 77-61 South Carolina, Dec. 3, 2023
Just over a week ago, South Carolina’s 43-game winning streak was ended by a 77-62 rout by UCLA. Since the 2021-22 season, the Gamecocks have lost only four games and have picked up two NCAA titles along the way. Led by 25-year veteran head coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina is undeniably a titan of women’s basketball.
Duke has only ever beaten the Gamecocks twice in program history, with the most recent being in the 2016-17 season, but the Blue Devils may stand a chance this year with an early loss and roster change from South Carolina.
With the departure of 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso, the Gamecocks have lost an integral member of the team. Cardoso helped win both the 2021-22 and 2023-24 NCAA titles. However, with the exception of the loss to the Bruins, the Gamecocks have seamlessly adapted to a new lineup. They dominated in a match against ranked Iowa State with a 76-36 victory against the Cyclones, including a 32-0 run in the first half.
South Carolina has added freshman Joyce Edwards to its line up. The forward was a five-star recruit and South Carolina Gatorade Player of the year who has had a strong start to her season. The Camden, S.C., native has averaged 9.8 points, 2.6 turnovers and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Although some touted that the UCLA loss marked the beginning of South Carolina’s downfall, the contest seems to be having the opposite effect. An early season loss helped Staley and the Gamecock squad realize that they could not ride their winning streak forever or become complacent with their spot at the top of the rankings. Known for her discipline, Staley has appeared to light a fire under South Carolina, with the team notching 40-point wins at both matches after the Bruins. -Kate Reiniche
Key stat
The Gamecocks entered the season ranked No. 1 and held their place at the top of the rankings until their loss to UCLA. Since then, South Carolina has been creeping back up the poll with a renewed vigor, showcasing consistency and dedication in play. Duke on the other hand has bounced around the rankings, most recently jumping five places from No. 13 to No. 8 after back-to-back wins against then-No. 9 Kansas State and then-No. 8 Oklahoma. With a team as good as South Carolina, the key to winning is not just playing well, but playing well often, and with the Blue Devils’ constant change in rankings, this may be difficult for them to pull off. However, if Duke can keep the momentum from its recent wins, it may match up to the Gamecocks. -Reiniche
X-Factor
Duke: Ashlon Jackson
Bringing to South Carolina a high-energy athleticism, Jackson is posed to be the key for this Blue Devil team. The second-highest scorer on the team, averaging 14.9 points per game, the junior guard will be critical to defeating a team that has held opponents to just 54 points per game. Jackson's offensive versatility and ability to score both inside and beyond the arc make her an unpredictable threat capable of disrupting the Gamecocks' defense.
The China, Texas, native has proven to thrive on the scoreboard when facing top-tier competition. Against then-No. 8 Oklahoma she scored 18, and the game before she dominated then-No. 9 Kansas State with an explosive 30 points. Competition seems to fuel her play, transforming her into a formidable force when going head-to-head against the toughest opponents. Her high-scoring stats underscore her expertise and resilience under pressure, which are critical to the team's offense. If Jackson can maintain and build on her 49% field goal rate, she has the potential to break through South Carolina’s defense, which has held opponents to just a 35.5% clip. Jackson’s confidence, efficiency and knack for thriving in transition and competition could be the key to exploiting gaps in South Carolina’s defense, leading Duke to secure a crucial victory.
South Carolina: Joyce Edwards
In a matchup where every possession matters, Edwards may prove to be the game-changer for the Gamecocks. Ranked No. 3 in ESPN’s 2024 HoopGurlz rankings, the five-star recruit has entered the game as a powerful force. Despite being a freshman, Edwards has grown to show maturity on the court with her versatility, adapting to the demands of college basketball. The Camden, S.C., native’s ability to thrive in high-pressure moments has made her a cornerstone of the roster.
In her last two games for South Carolina, the freshman has dominated the glass at both ends of the floor. Edwards grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds against then-No. 15 Iowa State, followed by another standout nine boards in the next outing, leading both teams in rebounding in both games. Her presence around the rim has allowed her to exploit missed opportunities to ignite transitions that shift momentum in South Carolina’s favor. The forward’s in-game aggression has positioned her as the team’s leader in steals, averaging 1.8 a game while she disrupts the court. As the Blue Devils enter the Gamecocks’ home, Edwards’ decision-making, explosiveness and impact will be crucial in setting the tone, further solidifying her status as a rising star and aiming to secure a victory for South Carolina. -Lucy Glynn
3 keys
Clean and cool: Duke has faced a number of formidable opponents on the road so far this season. Head coach Kara Lawson has repeatedly emphasized her preference for difficult non-conference games, and as a result the Blue Devils have played challenging teams both within and outside the AP rankings. That said, South Carolina is still the toughest opponent yet. The Gamecocks are a buzzsaw, having recently seen the end of a 43-game winning streak across all competitions. Now with something to prove after losing their No. 1 ranking, both the team and its fans will be energized when Duke makes the trip south.
It will certainly be tough to stay composed in such an electric environment, but that is exactly what the Blue Devils will need to do. It should be noted that Duke played three quarters of good basketball against South Carolina last year before falling apart late, largely due to a whopping 19-6 foul margin in favor of the Gamecocks. This time around, a more refined Blue Devil squad will need to keep things under control Thursday.
Play big: In a remarkable turn of events, this seems to be the one year that South Carolina does not have a dominant center on its roster. While in years past players like Kamilla Cardoso and Aliyah Boston have controlled the paint, the Gamecocks are generally lacking in top-tier center talent. Bully-ball won’t work because South Carolina’s wings are oversized, but it should at least be an even fight for Duke’s group in terms of physical size. It will be up to the forwards, especially sophomore Delaney Thomas and freshman Toby Fournier, to make things happen down low and grab some rebounds. Look for shifty guard Oluchi Okananwa to make an impact there, too.
Defensive duel: Speaking of exceptions to recent trends, Duke managed to hang 109 points on the then-No. 9 Sooners in the Ball Dawgs Classic. The Blue Devils, who last year averaged 68.2 points per game, have pushed their typical score up to 83.2 this season. That said, the Gamecocks are one of the better defensive teams in the country. They gave up just 36 points to Iowa State, and are yet to allow more than 77 this season. Duke needs to be prepared to get down and dirty in the trenches against South Carolina, continuing its trend of defensive excellence and being stingy at every level of the game. -Martin Heintzelman
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Martin Heintzelman is a Trinity junior and Blue Zone editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.