No. 11 Utah (8-1) vs. No. 1 South Carolina (8-0)
2023 Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase
- Tip: 12:30 p.m. MST.
- Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, Connecticut).
- TV: ESPN.
- Livestream: Watch ESPN.
- Radio: 700 AM.
- Series: First meeting.
The trends
For Utah: The Utes have won six straight games over largely overmatched competition, while their two most impressive victories have come in their past two games, against BYU and Saint Joseph’s. Utah’s lone loss came at then-No. 21 Baylor.
For South Carolina: The Gamecocks haven’t lost yet this season — that impressive start to the year has included three victories over ranked opponents in Notre Dame, Maryland and North Carolina. The season-opening 29-point win over the Fighting Irish was especially impressive, as it’s No. 14 Notre Dame’s only loss.
What to watch for
Utah has the nation’s top-scoring offense, averaging 96.2 points per game. The Utes also lead the country in assists per game (26.3), field-goal percentage (54.8%) and made 3-pointers per game (13.9).
Sunday’s game will be Utah’s second without junior guard Gianna Kneepkens, who suffered a season-ending injury against BYU last weekend.
South Carolina, meanwhile, is fifth nationally in scoring (93.5) and leads the country in scoring margin, averaging plus-43.4 points per game — Utah is second, at 40.7.
The Gamecocks lead the country in rebounding, averaging 52.7 rebounds per game, as well as blocks (9.9), while giving up just 50.1 points per game, 46.1 less than Utah’s scoring average.
Key players
Kamilla Cardoso, C, South Carolina: The 6-foot-7 Cardoso is making the most of her first year as a starter after two years as a reserve for the Gamecocks. She is averaging a double-double at 14.4 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, along with 3.3 blocks per contest.
Alissa Pili, F, Utah: Pili spearheads the Utes’ attack and more will be asked of her with Kneepkens’ injury. She is coming off a 31-point effort against Saint Joseph’s and is averaging 23.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 73.6% from the floor, second nationally.
Quotable
“We’ll throw everything at them, and then see where we’re at.” — Utah coach Lynne Roberts.
“If you allow them to play at the speed and the pace and play advantageous basketball on the offensive side, they’re going to make it a long night for everybody.” — South Carolina coach Dawn Staley.
Next up
Utah: at Southern Utah on Dec. 16.
South Carolina: vs. Presbyterian on Dec. 16.