South Carolina women's basketball will play NC State in the Final Four
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South Carolina’s road to an undefeated championship now goes through a familiar opponent. #3 NC State upset #1 Texas to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 1998.
South Carolina and NC State played regularly in the late 1970s and 1980s and sporadically since then. NC State leads the all-time series 20-12. The two play next season in Charlotte for the Ally Tipoff and played a home-and-home series in 2020-21.
Each team won on the other’s home court. That 54-46 loss, on December 3, 2020, is South Carolina’s most recent home loss.
NC State is led by former Gamecock Saniya Rivers. Rivers was part of South Carolina’s top-ranked 2021 signing class and won a National Championship as a freshman reserve, starring on defense in the national semifinal against Louisville.
Rivers, who signed during the pandemic and did not get to take visits, transferred to NC State after her freshman season. Rivers won ACC Sixth Player of the Year. This season Rivers moved into the starting lineup and averaged 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. She was named first-team all-ACC, ACC All-Defense, and honorable mention All-American.
Aziaha James is NC State’s leading scorer at 16.0 points. She and Rivers are among five NC State players averaging in double-figures. River Baldwin only averages 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds, but NC State plays much better when she is in the game.
South Carolina and NC State play on Friday, April 5. Tip time has yet to be announced, but will be at either 7:00 ET or 9:30 ET at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.
