COLOMBIA – The South Carolina women’s basketball team had to revamp its schedule outside the conference, but it is not any easier.
Gamecocks will face two Top-10 teams projected in the state of NC and Connecticut this season, in addition to projected Top-20 Iowa State in their brief off-conference schedule. USC released the new schedule on Thursday.
While there is still a mystery to who USC will play in a Thanksgiving road tournament on November 28-30, Gamecocks should not retain opponents originally scheduled in Oregon, Maryland or South Dakota. They will also not play the archrival Clemson for the first time since the series began in 1976.
It is expected to maintain its No. 1 national position since last year when the season’s first AP Top 25 was released on Tuesday, Gamecocks will open at home on November 25 against the College of Charleston.
The country’s public leader in each of the past six years, the USC will be forced to play for a small audience. USC has already announced that the capacity of Colonial Life Arena this season will be around 3,500 fans due to the restrictions of COVID-19.
Follow David Cloninger on Twitter @DCPandC.