Sunday’s non-conference tilt between the No. 11 UConn Huskies vs. No. 1 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks is a rematch of their 2022 Women’s NCAA March Madness final, which saw the Gamecocks crowned Women’s National Champions.
The latest installment of this heated rivalry features a UConn team riding a three-game winning streak, meeting the lone unbeaten program in D1 WNCAA basketball, missing their top scorer and leading rebounder.
Who will win Sunday’s non-conference tilt? Join me as I look closer at the college basketball odds with free college basketball picks for UConn and South Carolina on Sunday, February 11.
UConn vs South Carolina best odds
| UConn | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| +550 | Moneyline | -1,100 |
| +9.5 (-110) | Spread | -9.5 (-110) |
| Over 141.5 (-110) | Total | Under 141.5 (-110 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings on February 11, 2024.
UConn vs South Carolina picks and predictions
The South Carolina Gamecocks are the lone unbeaten D1 program in the nation and have been the number-one ranked team since Week 2 of the D1 WNCAAB season.
The Lady Gamecocks have rolled through their 2023-2024 campaign–19 of their 22 victories have been by double-digits, and South Carolina boasts a nation's best +34-point differential.
On Sunday, the Gamecocks face what might be their stiffest test thus far this season when the UConn Huskies visit Columbia. South Carolina will be without leading scorer and rebounder Kamilla Cardoso, as she’s in Belgium competing for Brazil in an Olympic Qualifying tournament.
Cardoso’s lack of availability is a significant problem for head coach Dawn Staley and the Lady Gamecocks and one that provides a path that UConn can exploit.
South Carolina has enough offense to get by without Cardoso’s buckets. Still, they will miss her rebounding and defensive presence–10 caroms and nearly three blocked shots per game are nearly impossible to replace and considerably levels the playing field between the two programs.
The Huskies enter Sunday with the second-most Quad 1 victories in the ladies D1 game behind the Gamecocks. UConn knows how to win big games on the road–they have away victories over nationally-ranked opponents Texas and Creighton with a +21.2 points differential through their first 24 games.
Something else that will help UConn cover the spread and maybe even pull off the upset will be points from turnovers–the Huskies play aggressive defense and as a result average 22.3 points per game from turnovers. The Gamecocks commit nearly 13 miscues per game and that number could increase without the Gamecocks go-to scorer and safety valve on the floor and reason enough to highly consider taking the points.
Finally, missing Cardoso may not cost South Carolina its undefeated season, but they will have difficulty covering the spread. They’ll miss her scoring, but not having her rebounding and blocks will hurt the Gamecocks the most. She is a force, and without her on the floor, Huskies forward Aaliyah Edwards will have an even easier time than she usually does rebounding and scoring in the paint. UConn is 8-2 over their last 10 away tilts, and while South Carolina may win this game, I like UConn to cover the spread.
My best bet: UConn +9.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
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UConn vs South Carolina spread and Over/Under analysis
Neither program needs to win this game, and a loss by either group won’t likely hurt their seeding. That said, UConn's victory will improve their seeding when the first of two Top 16 seeding “sneak peeks” is released on February 15.
Cardoso not on the floor is a pity because she is some kind of player and would be fun to watch play against other great players. Gamecocks forward Ashlyn Watkins is a solid rebounder with 2.7 blocks per game, but South Carolina will miss that one-two punch down low, and it’s one big reason I believe UConn will cover the spread.
The other reason I like UConn and the Over 141.5 points is Edwards–she’s scored 18 points or more in four of her last five, and without Cardoso on the floor, it will provide a much easier path for Edwards to record her fifth double-double over her last six games.
This total seems low for a matchup involving this many highly skilled offensive players. Two terrific defenses are playing, but the Gamecocks defense suffers without Cardoso. Each program boasts above-average shooters from everywhere and above-average assist-to-turnover ratios. The tempo will be there, and the ladies might just cut loose and let it fly this afternoon before a nationally televised audience. Over 141.5 is a good number and worth a shot today.
UConn vs South Carolina betting trend to know
UConn is 8-2 over their last 10 away games. Find more college basketball betting trends for UConn vs. South Carolina.
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UConn vs South Carolina game info
| Location: | Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC |
| Date: | Sunday, February 11, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 2:00p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
UConn vs South Carolina key injuries
UConn: N/A
South Carolina: N/A
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