CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WNCN) — Of all the big women’s college basketball games on Sunday’s slate, perhaps the biggest of them all is being played right here in North Carolina.
No. 9 NC State (1-0) is looking to get a little redemption against No. 1 South Carolina (1-0) in a rematch of one of last April’s Final Four games, in which the Gamecocks beat the Wolfpack en route to winning the national championship. Tip off in Sunday’s game at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte is set for 3 p.m.
Last season, NC State made it all the way through the postseason to the last weekend, when they were outplayed by South Carolina, 78-59. The Gamecocks then went on to defeat Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes, completing another season unbeaten and with the NCAA title.
In that game, Aziaha James led the Wolfpack with 20 points, while Kamila Cardoso led the Gamecocks with 22. James — along with fellow veteran guard Saniya Rivers — returned this season to lead NC State. South Carolina lost Cardoso to the WNBA, but key players from last season such as Raven Johnson, Te-hina Paopao and Bree Hall are back.
After Saturday’s marquee matchup, the Wolfpack return to Raleigh to face Kent State on Thursday night.