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Winter Storm Enzo Delays Gamecocks Basketball Clash Against LSU

By James Seidel | CC News Sports

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Thursday’s highly anticipated Gamecocks women’s basketball showdown between No. 2 South Carolina and No. 5 LSU has been postponed to Friday at 5 p.m. ET due to the severe impact of Winter Storm Enzo. The game will still be broadcast on ESPN.

The storm, described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” weather event, has brought significant snowfall to parts of the southern U.S., including Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Columbia, South Carolina. LSU faced complications with travel as the storm brought nearly eight inches of snow to Baton Rouge earlier this week. The rescheduling allows the Tigers additional time to arrive at Colonial Life Arena, where they will take on the defending national champions.

About an inch or two of snow on Bourbon St. and New Orleanians are making the most out of it.@FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/QbiGdxO2QB

— Andrés Fuentes (@news_fuentes) January 21, 2025

A Meeting of Powerhouses

This matchup features two of the most decorated coaches in women’s college basketball: Dawn Staley of South Carolina and Kim Mulkey of LSU. Staley, who has led the Gamecocks to three national championships (2017, 2022, 2024) and four consecutive Final Fours, recently became the highest-paid coach in women’s basketball, earning $4 million annually under a contract that extends through 2030. Mulkey, who guided LSU to its first national title in 2023 after winning three championships at Baylor, has led her team to an undefeated record this season.

South Carolina, with seven Top 25 wins and an average margin of victory of 27.1 points per game, is led by freshman forward Joyce Edwards (12.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg), sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (11.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg), senior guard Te-Hina Paopao (11.1 ppg, 2.8 apg), and junior forward Chloe Kitts (9.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg).

Meanwhile, LSU looks to add a marquee win to its record, which includes ranked victories over No. 20 NC State and No. 16 Tennessee. The Tigers are powered by junior guard Flau’Jae Johnson, who averages 20.0 points per game, senior Aneesah Morrow (14.2 rpg, leading the nation), and sophomore guard Mikaylah Williams (16.5 ppg).

Coaches’ Reactions

Mulkey expressed concerns about the storm’s impact on her team’s travel following LSU’s win over Florida earlier this week. “I can’t even think about South Carolina. I have to think about snow and ice when I get home,” she said. “But we know what we face next—a tremendous challenge to play the defending champions and do it at their place.”