ESPN’s Computer Model Forecasts Winner of South Carolina-Duke Matchup

In today’s live coverage, the Elite Eight clash between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Duke Blue Devils’ women’s basketball teams is set to be a high-stakes showdown. With a No. 1 seed going head-to-head against a No. 2 seed, it’s sure to be a thrilling match.

However, for those hoping to see an upset of the reigning national champions, expectations might need to be tempered.

The Gamecocks, under Dawn Staley, are heavily favored heading into this Sunday’s contest. ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives them a commanding 78.7 percent chance to secure a victory. Meanwhile, the Blue Devils are sitting with a much slimmer 21.3 percent chance of taking down South Carolina and advancing to the Final Four.

There are solid reasons behind South Carolina’s status as the favorite. As a No. 1 seed, they’ve proven their mettle and are well-versed in what it takes to succeed at this stage of the tournament.

Their offensive depth has been on full display throughout the NCAA Tournament, even amid a few struggles. In the opening round, Joyce Edwards contributed 22 points in their victory over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. Then, senior guard Bree Hall added 11 points in their second-round win against the Indiana Hoosiers. In the Sweet 16, MiLaysia Fulwiley took charge, scoring an impressive 23 points in the win over the Maryland Terrapins.

In contrast, Duke’s offense has been shaky during March Madness. Their most impressive performance came in the first round, when they defeated the Lehigh Mountain Hawks 86-25. However, in the subsequent rounds, they have struggled to score, failing to surpass 60 points. In their Sweet 16 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels, Kara Lawson’s squad managed only 49 points, including two quarters where they scored just nine.

The Gamecocks and Blue Devils also met earlier this season during the 2024-25 campaign. In the SEC/ACC Challenge on December 5, Duke visited the Colonial Life Arena, where South Carolina opened the game with a dominant 28-12 first-quarter lead. The Gamecocks eventually held off a late push from Duke, securing an 81-70 victory.

Of course, anything can happen on game day, but as it stands, Duke’s chances of pulling off an upset appear slim.

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‘Zyon Guiles’ Chooses South Carolina, Boosting Gamecocks’ 2026 Recruiting Class

Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks have just landed a key commitment for their 2026 recruiting class with the addition of Zyon Guiles, a four-star offensive lineman. Guiles made his decision official last Tuesday, pledging his future to the Gamecocks.

Ranked as the 157th best player in the nation, the 14th best offensive tackle, and the third best player in South Carolina, Guiles is a significant pickup for the program. His commitment comes after heavy interest from top programs like Auburn, Clemson, Florida, and Georgia. However, with his official pledge now in place, it’s possible that his previously scheduled official visits to those schools will be called off.

Guiles becomes the second offensive lineman to commit to South Carolina for the 2026 class, bolstering the Gamecocks’ depth at a crucial position. With Guiles on board, Coach Beamer will now turn his attention to further enhancing the offensive line through this recruiting cycle.

As South Carolina continues to add high-caliber talent, the future of the program at Williams-Brice Stadium is looking more promising with each passing day.