Top-ranked South Carolina opens its 2026-27 women’s basketball season on Monday, Nov. 2, facing No. 20 Maryland at Adidas Arena in Paris, France, with tip-off scheduled for 12 p.m. Eastern on ESPN as part of the 2026 Oui Play event.
Paris Return and Series Context
The matchup brings the Gamecocks back to the French capital for the second time in four seasons, reprising their role in the international showcase. WIS reported that the game serves as the opening fixture of a doubleheader at Adidas Arena, which originally opened for the 2024 Paris Olympics. For South Carolina, opening against a top-20 opponent mirrors their start at the inaugural Paris event in 2023, when they defeated Notre Dame 100-71 to spark a 38-game win streak.
The South Carolina-Maryland beef of the 2020’s https://t.co/QWBUjl2vXq pic.twitter.com/LDkDKheyIN
— https://x.com/RobbieDidThat/status/2106548409167499265
The two programs last met during the 2025 NCAA Sweet Sixteen. In that postseason meeting, the Gamecocks—then ranked No. 2—defeated an 18th-ranked Maryland squad. All-time, South Carolina holds a 7-2 advantage in the series and has won the last five meetings.
High Stakes and Roster Transitions
The state.com reported that expectations remain elevated for Dawn Staley’s squad after consecutive seasons concluding with national title game losses. South Carolina was picked to win the Southeastern Conference by both league coaches and media members, and DraftKings lists the Gamecocks as the preseason betting favorites to capture the national championship.
Maryland enters the new campaign following a 24-9 finish last year that ended in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32 against North Carolina. Head coach Brenda Freese returns three All-Big Ten honorees in Bri McDaniel, Oluchi Okananwa, and Addi Mack, alongside four incoming freshmen and high-profile transfers Nunu Agara from Stanford and Chloe Sotell from Missouri.
“I think they’re playing more like the Maryland of old,” Staley told local media on Oct. 27. “They’re healthier. They got talent. I think Brenda’s doing a great job of getting back to who Maryland is and not having to just improvise because you don’t have the bodies, or you don’t have the healthy bodies.”
Broadcast and Coverage Details
Fans unable to travel to Paris can follow the action across multiple platforms. ESPN carries the national television broadcast with a crew featuring Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe. Streaming options are available through the ESPN app and ESPN.com.
On the radio dial, Brad Muller handles the local call for WIS affiliate 107.5 The Game. Satellite radio listeners can tune into SiriusXM Channel 174 or 228, with channel 952 available on the provider’s mobile app.
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