The road to Cleveland tightens as two powerhouse programs collide in Friday’s Sweet 16. The South Carolina vs Maryland matchup promises high-octane basketball, elite guard play, and a clash of depth versus grit in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. ET at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, with national coverage on ESPN.
Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks enter this contest as the No. 2 overall seed—and the defending national champions—with a 32-3 record and a war-tested roster. Brenda Frese’s Maryland Terrapins, meanwhile, arrive in Birmingham emotionally charged after surviving a double-overtime thriller against Alabama and knocking off Norfolk State in round one.
But this isn’t just another March Madness game—South Carolina vs Maryland is a rematch of a November 2023 blowout and a redemption shot for the Terps. Let’s break it all down: how to watch, odds, key matchups, betting picks, and my final prediction. If you need some extra incentive, check out our March Madness betting promos here.
🔥 Game Preview: South Carolina vs Maryland
Matchup: No. 2 South Carolina (32-3, 15-1 SEC) vs. No. 18 Maryland (25-7, 13-5 Big Ten)
When: Friday, March 28, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM ET
Where: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
TV: ESPN (Courtney Lyle, Carolyn Peck, Kris Budden)
Live Stream: WatchESPN.com / ESPN app
Radio: 107.5 FM (South Carolina), SiriusXM 210/203
📊 South Carolina vs Maryland Betting Odds
| Sportsbook | Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
| FanDuel | SC -17.5 | 149.5 | SC -1200 / MD +700 |
| DraftKings | SC -17.5 | 150.5 | SC -1100 / MD +750 |
- Futures Alert: South Carolina is +175 to win the national title, behind only UConn.
- Public Bets: 68% of money is on South Carolina to cover the spread.
🧠 Tale of the Tape: South Carolina vs Maryland
| Category | South Carolina | Maryland |
| Record | 32–3 (15–1 SEC) | 25–7 (13–5 Big Ten) |
| NCAA Seed | No. 1 | No. 4 |
| Scoring Offense | 83.6 PPG | 79.1 PPG |
| Scoring Defense | 60.2 PPG | 69.5 PPG |
| Turnovers Forced | 17.2 per game | 14.8 per game |
| Last 10 Games | 9–1 | 7–3 |
📚 Storylines to Watch
1. Depth vs. Fatigue
South Carolina enters Friday’s game fresh after a six-day break, while Maryland had to empty the tank in a 111–108 double-overtime win over Alabama. Two Terrapins logged nearly 50 minutes in that thriller. USC, on the other hand, has eight players averaging over 6 points per game in March and frequently rotates 10 deep. Expect the Gamecocks to lean into that depth and push tempo from the opening tip.
2. Backcourt Brilliance: Sellers vs Paopao
Shyanne Sellers, Maryland’s All-Big Ten point guard, has been phenomenal—posting 28 points and going 9-for-9 from the stripe in the second round. She’s the emotional and tactical engine of this team. But South Carolina counters with Te-Hina Paopao, a fifth-year senior and one of the most consistent three-point shooters in the country. This guard battle could set the tone for the entire game.
3. Revenge or Repeat?
These two teams met early this season—and it wasn’t close. South Carolina demolished Maryland 114–76 in Columbia. Seven Gamecocks scored in double figures. Will Maryland use that game as motivation, or is that score a predictor of things to come?
🔍 Key Matchups
Kaylene Smikle (Maryland) vs South Carolina’s Wing Defenders
Smikle, a transfer from Rutgers, is averaging 17.8 PPG and shooting confidently from all three levels. But she’ll likely draw attention from South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards and Sania Feagin, both rangy, high-IQ defenders. If Smikle can find room to create shots, Maryland can hang around.
Transition Game: USC’s Fast Break vs. Maryland’s Ball Security
South Carolina thrives in the open floor, ranking among the top teams in transition efficiency. Maryland, meanwhile, averages 16 turnovers per game. If the Gamecocks convert defense into offense early, this could get out of hand.
🏀 Coaches’ Corner
Dawn Staley (South Carolina):
“We schedule tough on purpose. We want to be uncomfortable in November so we’re prepared in March.”
Brenda Frese (Maryland):
“Our players showed incredible resilience against Alabama. We’ve got heart. Now it’s about execution and energy.”
✅ Best Bets: South Carolina vs Maryland
- South Carolina -17.5
- Maryland’s legs are shot. The Gamecocks have too much depth, too much pace, and too much defense.
- Under 149.5 Total Points
- South Carolina will do the heavy lifting, but Maryland could sputter late as fatigue kicks in.
- Kaylene Smikle Over 15.5 Points
- She’s taken 38 shots in two games and has scored 20+ in both. The usage is there, even in a blowout.
Confused? Check how to bet on March Madness here.
📈 Final Prediction: South Carolina vs Maryland
South Carolina 79, Maryland 64
This one could be competitive early. Sellers and Smikle are elite scorers, and Brenda Frese is too experienced to let her team roll over. But over the course of four quarters, expect South Carolina’s physicality, rebounding dominance, and transition game to take over.
USC simply has more gas in the tank and more weapons to throw at Maryland’s fatigued five. Look for a decisive second-half surge and a fifth straight Elite Eight appearance for the Gamecocks.
🏆 What’s Next?
The winner of South Carolina vs Maryland advances to Sunday’s Elite Eight to face either No. 2 Duke or No. 3 North Carolina, a potential Tobacco Road rematch in the making. That game tips at 1 p.m. ET, also on ESPN.
