No. 1 South Carolina will face No. 12 North Carolina on Sun., Nov. 8, in Charlotte, giving the Gamecocks another early-season chance to measure themselves against a ranked opponent on a national stage. The game is part of the Ally Tipoff and is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET at Spectrum Center.
The matchup adds another chapter to a series that has become competitive over time, even if South Carolina has controlled the recent meetings. The border series is tied 11-11 overall, but South Carolina has won the last four matchups, including three NCAA Tournament games. That run includes a 71-57 win over North Carolina in the SEC/ACC Challenge on Nov. 30, 2023, and another victory at the Ally Tipoff on Nov. 10, 2024.
What the matchup means
South Carolina enters the game with an early offensive benchmark already on the books. Dawn Staley’s team opened the season on Nov. 2, 2025, with 101 points against Maryland, a reminder that the Gamecocks can put pressure on opponents in a variety of ways. That start also gives this Charlotte meeting added context, because North Carolina will be the next ranked test for a team that is already playing at a high level.
For North Carolina, the trip to Charlotte offers a high-profile opportunity against a program that has consistently been one of the sport’s standard-bearers. The Tar Heels are ranked No. 12, which sets up a top-15 matchup with real early-season weight. The neutral-site setting also gives the game a different feel than a typical home-and-home or conference game, with providing the national television window.
Recent history between South Carolina and North Carolina
The most recent meeting came in the Ally Tipoff, where South Carolina won 71-57 on Nov. 10, 2024. Before that, the Gamecocks beat North Carolina in the SEC/ACC Challenge on Nov. 30, 2023. South Carolina’s last loss to North Carolina came in the 2014 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, which helps explain why the series has carried so much weight whenever these teams meet.
Even with South Carolina’s recent success, the overall 11-11 series record shows how closely the programs have matched up historically. That balance, paired with the current rankings, makes this more than just an early-season showcase. It is also a useful checkpoint for both teams as they look ahead to the rest of the year.
The Ally Tipoff will continue to be a significant event on the women’s basketball calendar as well. South Carolina is already scheduled to face UConn in 2027 and NC State in 2028, adding more high-level games to a slate that keeps the Gamecocks in the national spotlight.
