How To Watch: No. 1 South Carolina at East Carolina

After a 10-day holiday break, Dawn Staley and South Carolina's women's basketball team will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, as they head back to the state of North Carolina to take the East Carolina Pirates for their final non-conference game before SEC play begins in January. While the Gamecocks are used to being the team that plays the most suffocating defense in their respective matchups, this will be a rare moment where their opponent might be able to match their defensive prowess.

The Pirates rank in the Top 33 nationally in several major defensive statistical categories:

Tied for 30th nationally in blocks per game (4.9)
32nd nationally in field goal percentage defense (35.3)
3rd nationally in steals per game (14.4)
Tied for 20th nationally in three-point percentage defense (24.5)
Tied for 2nd nationally in turnover margin (+10.8)

Only two opponents have been able to score more than 57 points against East Carolina this season: Ohio State and Seton Hall, ironically enough the only two Power 5 opponents the Pirates have faced this season. However, South Carolina has had their issues this season holding onto the basketball, particularly on the road, so this will be a storyline to monitor in this matchup.

As far as East Carolina's biggest offensive threat is concerned, guard Danae McNeal, who is a South Carolina native, should draw the majority of the Gamecocks attention on the defensive end. In 320 minutes of play in 10 games this season, McNeal is averaging 19.5 points on 42 percent shooting from the floor, while also registering 3.9 steals per game on the defensive end.

This should be a game where Kamilla Cardoso can utilize her height and length advantage to the fullest extent, but if Carolina presses more than what's required in this game, we could see another close bout in Greenville.

How To Watch: No. 1 South Carolina at East Carolina

Gameday: Saturday, December 30th, 2023.
Venue: Minges Coliseum (Greenville, NC)
Game time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN2
Radio: Gamecock Radio Network
Live stream on fuboTV: Start with a 7-day free trial!

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