South Carolina and Southern Cal Women’s Basketball to Play in Los Angeles, Greenville

The University of South Carolina and the University of Southern California women’s basketball programs have announced a bicoastal, two-season series called “The Real SC” that will take place in the next two seasons.

The events will see the first game played on November 15, 2025, at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles followed by a contest on November 15, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Both schools are contenders for the national championship. South Carolina won the Southeastern Conference tournament championship game on Sunday in Greenville and is ranked No. 2 in the country; Southern Cal lost in the Big Ten Conference tournament championship game on Sunday in Indianapolis and is ranked No. 4 in the country.

“I will always choose elevating women’s basketball and that’s especially true in scheduling,” said South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley. “I know Complete Sports Management has the same mission and I like their creativity in bring not just two great programs together but engaging their fan bases on both coasts in a debate they love to have.”

South Carolina has won three national championships under Staley and played in four straight Final Fours. The Gamecocks have nine SEC regular-season and nine SEC Tournament titles in the past 11 seasons. Dating to its powerhouse days in the 1980s, Southern Cal has two NCAA titles, three Final Four appearances, five regular-season conference and two conference tournament titles.

“We are excited to participate in this high-quality, highly-anticipated event,” USC head coach Lindsay Gottleib said. “We have so much respect for South Carolina and Coach Staley’s program and in growing our own program have looked to meet the moment by taking on the best possible challenges. To be able to battle for ‘The Real SC’ right here at Crypto Arena in LA is truly a special opportunity.”

Both schools’ fan bases lay claim to the phrase ‘USC’ in describing their schools. Back in 2008, Southern California won the trademark to use an interlocking ‘SC’ logo on its hats against South Carolina that ended a six-year battle over the logo.

“We are so excited to bring the major non-conference matchup between the two SCs to the forefront and showcase women’s college basketball to the world,” said CSM President Lea Miller-Tooley. “Complete Sports Management is proud to put on display the competitive excellence and prestige of these programs on the West Coast in a city filled with love for the game and on the East Coast where the love for women’s basketball has grown to new heights in recent years.”