Southern University will face off against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Can Southern University pull off an upset?
Can Southern University pull off the upset?
As the No. 16 seed, Southern University Jaguars enter their matchup against the powerhouse South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball as heavy underdogs—but March Madness is built on surprises.
Southern already showed resilience by winning its First Four game, proving it can compete under pressure. The Jaguars play with energy, physical defense, and nothing to lose—dangerous ingredients in a one-game scenario.
But the challenge is enormous. South Carolina, a No. 1 seed, brings elite depth, size, and championship-level experience. The Gamecocks dominate the paint, control the boards, and rarely beat themselves. Programs like South Carolina don’t just win—they overwhelm opponents.
So, is an upset possible?
Yes—but it would require a near-perfect game from Southern:
- Hot shooting from the perimeter
- Limiting turnovers
- Slowing the tempo and frustrating South Carolina’s rhythm
Even then, it’s a tall order. Historically, 16-over-1 upsets in women’s basketball are extremely rare.
Prediction: South Carolina advances—but if Southern can hang around early, don’t be surprised if things get interesting for a while.
