COLUMBIA, S.C. — As South Carolina women’s basketball prepares to begin SEC competition, the team maintains its position near the top of the NCAA Evaluation Tool rankings, sitting at No. 2 nationally heading into the new year.
Current Standing and Season Performance
Through eight weeks of competition, the Gamecocks have compiled a 13-1 record. Their lone setback came against Texas on a final-second basket, while they’ve secured victories over several high-profile opponents including Clemson, Duke, Southern Cal, and Louisville. The Associated Press has the team ranked No. 3 in its most recent poll, though no new rankings were issued this week.
NET Rankings Update
The NCAA Evaluation Tool, which serves as the primary metric for the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee when evaluating teams, currently places South Carolina second in the nation. According to the latest update, only UConn ranks ahead of the Gamecocks, with Texas, UCLA, and LSU completing the top five positions.
When the initial NET rankings were published in early December, Dawn Staley’s squad was positioned at No. 6 nationally and third within the SEC. The team made a significant jump to No. 2 last week and has maintained that position through the most recent update following games played around the country.
Understanding the NET System
For those unfamiliar with the NCAA Evaluation Tool, this ranking system incorporates multiple factors when assessing teams. It considers the Team Value Index, which accounts for on-court results, game locations, and strength of schedule. The system also weighs adjusted net efficiency ratings, measuring team performance quality while accounting for opponent strength and game venues.
Quadrant Breakdown
South Carolina’s resume includes strong performances across different opponent tiers:
Quadrant 1: The Gamecocks hold a 4-1 record against the highest-quality opponents. They defeated Southern Cal at a neutral location in Los Angeles, suffered their only loss to Texas, beat Duke in Las Vegas during the Players Era Championship, and secured road victories against both Louisville and South Florida.
Quadrant 2: Two home victories over Penn State and Clemson give South Carolina a perfect 2-0 mark in this category.
Quadrant 3: A single home win against Providence accounts for the team’s 1-0 record here.
Quadrant 4: The Gamecocks are undefeated at 6-0 against lower-tier opponents, with all those contests taking place in Columbia.
Schedule Strength
Staley has built one of the nation’s most challenging nonconference schedules, positioning her team with an elite strength of schedule metric even before SEC competition begins. This strategic scheduling provides valuable preparation and resume-building opportunities for postseason selection.
Upcoming SEC Schedule
Conference play commences this week with two games on the docket:
New Year’s Day Matchup: The Gamecocks host Alabama at Colonial Life Arena on Thursday, January 1st, with a 2:00 p.m. tipoff. The game will stream exclusively on SEC Network+, with no traditional television broadcast available.
Road Test in Florida: South Carolina travels to Gainesville for a Sunday, January 4th clash against the Gators, also scheduled for 2:00 p.m. SEC Network will provide television coverage, with streaming available through the ESPN app.
As conference play begins, South Carolina’s strong NET position and quality wins provide a solid foundation for the remainder of the season. The team’s performance in SEC competition will be crucial for maintaining their elite ranking heading toward March.
