Elite Eight Beckons: Gamecocks and Sooners in a March Madness Rematch
The Pivotal Sweet Sixteen Encounter: South Carolina vs. Oklahoma
The 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament moves into the Sweet Sixteen phase, featuring an exciting confrontation on Saturday. The top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks are set to face the fourth-seeded Oklahoma Sooners. This highly anticipated game will determine which team advances to the Elite Eight.
A Look Back: The Previous Thriller Between These Rivals
This upcoming Sweet Sixteen game is not the first encounter between these two formidable teams this season. They previously met on January 23rd in Norman, where Oklahoma secured an overtime victory against South Carolina with a score of 94-82. That game marked one of only three losses for the Gamecocks during their impressive season, highlighting the Sooners' capability to challenge the top contenders.
Oklahoma's Performance Metrics in the Sweet Sixteen Matchup
Here's a breakdown of Oklahoma's statistical contributions in their Sweet Sixteen game against South Carolina:
| NO | Name | POS | MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OREB | REB | AST | ST | BLK | TO | PF | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Sahara Williams | F | 14 | 2-6 | 0-0 | 1-1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | |
| 4 | Caya Smith | F | 6 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Zya Vann | G | 12 | 1-2 | 0-1 | 1-2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| 2 | Aaliyah Chavez | G | 17 | 3-12 | 1-5 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | |
| 21 | Brooklyn Stewart | F | 9 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| 12 | Payton Verhulst | G | 18 | 2-7 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | |
| 22 | Keziah Lofton | G | 7 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 15 | Raegan Beers | C | 13 | 3-6 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |
| Total | 12-36 | 2-9 | 2-3 | 9 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 28 | ||||
| 33.3% | 22.2% | 66.7% | |||||||||||||
South Carolina's Stellar Stats in the Sweet Sixteen Game
Here are the key statistics for South Carolina's players during their Sweet Sixteen contest:
| NO | Name | POS | MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OREB | REB | AST | ST | BLK | TO | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Joyce Edwards | F | 17 | 0-3 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | Maddy McDaniel | G | 9 | 0-3 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 30 | Maryam Dauda | F | 3 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | Alicia Tournebize | F | 3 | 1-2 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 5 | Tessa Johnson | G | 13 | 1-2 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Ta'Niya Latson | G | 15 | 5-6 | 2-2 | 6-6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 18 | |
| 11 | Madina Okot | C | 9 | 1-3 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 44 | Agot Makeer | G | 13 | 2-5 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 25 | Raven Johnson | G | 15 | 7-9 | 2-3 | 0-0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Total | 17-33 | 7-11 | 6-6 | 7 | 21 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 47 | |||
| 51.5% | 63.6% | 100.0% | ||||||||||||
Tournament Journeys: Paths to the Sweet Sixteen
South Carolina has demonstrated overwhelming dominance throughout the tournament, securing a commanding 69-point victory against Southern in their opening game. They followed this with a decisive 40-point win over the USC Trojans in the Round of 32, showcasing their championship aspirations. Meanwhile, Oklahoma, as a No. 4 seed, has also enjoyed a strong run. They defeated Idaho by 30 points and then triumphed over fifth-seeded Michigan State by six points in the second round, proving their mettle.
Anticipating the Decisive Moments: Who Will Seize Victory?
This matchup promises to be a fiercely contested battle, with both teams capable of pushing each other to their limits. The crucial factor will likely be which team can maintain composure and execute effectively in the final moments. The ability to capitalize on crucial possessions could ultimately determine the victor and secure a spot in the Elite Eight.
Broadcast Details for the Highly-Anticipated Game
For fans eager to watch this thrilling Sweet Sixteen game, here are the broadcast details: The game is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at 5 p.m. ET. It will take place at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, and will be televised on ESPN. The game is also available for streaming on FuboTV.
