A Final Four rematch between the No. 1-ranked and defending national champion South Carolina Gamecocks and No. 9-ranked NC State Wolfpack headlines the 2024 Ally Tipoff in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, Nov. 10 (3 p.m. ET, ESPN).
The Gamecocks, of course, triumphed in that Final Four showdown, using a 29-6 third quarter to pull away for a 78-59 win. South Carolina was powered by a 22-point and 11-rebound double-double from Kamilla Cardoso, an advantage they will be without now that the 6-foot-6 center is in the WNBA. The Gamecocks should have the services of junior forward Ashlyn Watkins. Watkins, who corralled 20 rebounds in the Final Four game, is expected to make her season debut, having been suspended from the team due to assault and kidnapping charges that were dismissed last week.
However, both South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley and NC State head coach Wes Moore will be more concerned about what the matchup means for their teams this season, rather than what happened in April. Neither squad looked particularly sharp in their season opener.
On Monday, South Carolina struggled to put away a spunky Michigan team, eventually escaping Las Vegas with a 68-62 win. The Wolverines stymied the Gamecocks’ offense with a zone defense, a strategy which was made more effective by South Carolina’s 5-for-26 3-point shooting. South Carolina also failed to control the glass in expected fashion; Michigan matched the defending champs with 52 rebounds. But the Gamecocks’ defense proved as decisive as ever, turning over the Wolverines and holding them to 21 percent shooting in the second half. Junior forward Chloe Kitts led South Carolina with a 19-point and 14-rebound double-double. Sophomore guard Tessa Johnson was the one Gamecock whose shot was falling, as she made three 3s and scored 15 points from off the bench.
On Tuesday, NC State found themselves with only a three-point halftime advantage over visiting East Tennessee State. Like the Gamecocks, the Wolfpack suffered through a poor shooting performance from behind the arc, going 5-for-20 from 3. Yet, enough shots began to fall in the second half, allowing them to separate for a comfortable 80-55 win. Senior guard Aziaha James scored 15 of her 17 points after halftime, while sophomore guard Zoe Brooks led the team with a career-best 21 points.
Moore, however, seems unsure about his frontcourt rotation. Senior center Lizzy Williamson got the start, but played only six minutes. From the bench, Moore…
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