LSU women's basketball hosts South Carolina on Saturday for a top-five showdown in the PMAC. The Gamecocks rank atop the conference standings while LSU is tied with Texas for fourth.
The two teams built a storied rivalry over the last few years, ever since head coach Kim Mulkey took the reins in Baton Rouge. However, the Tigers haven't defeated South Carolina since 2012. They'll try to turn luck in their favor on home court Saturday.
LSU and South Carolina rank first and second, respectively, in team offense and three-point shooting percentage. Both sides know how to score points quickly and possess plenty of playmakers. Four players on each team average double figures.
Joyce Edwards averages 20.3 points for the Gamecocks, third most in the SEC. She's second on the team in rebounds and blocks, meaning she contributes heavily on the defensive end as well. The Tigers will deal with her presence in the paint on both ends of the court.
Over the last five seasons, the matchups between Mulkey and head coach Dawn Staley haven't disappointed. Is 2026 the year LSU finally gets the job done?
Here are three things to watch during LSU vs. South Carolina.
MiLaysia Fulwiley meets her former team
Fulwiley transferred to LSU in the offseason after two seasons at South Carolina, where she averaged 11.7 points per game. She will play against her former teammates and head coach Dawn Staley for the first time on Saturday.
Under the leadership of head coach Kim Mulkey, Fulwiley improved her game on both ends of the court. She is averaging 13.4 points per game, second-most on the team. She also already has 80 steals, showcasing her improvement on defense. Over the last two weeks, Fulwiley hasn't played her best basketball, but perhaps she'll rise to the occasion against the Gamecocks.
Offensive rebounding favors LSU
Both teams are strong on the glass but South Carolina's ability to limit LSU's second-chance opportunities could decide the game. The Tigers rebound 49.1% of their own misses, the best rate in the country. Their 18 offensive rebounds per game rank second in the country.
LSU is at its best when it takes a by-committee approach to rebounding with the guards helping to chase down misses. LSU hasn't been perfect in this department, though. A couple of strong SEC foes have limited LSU on the boards and South Carolina is talented enough to hold their own. South Carolina ranks third behind LSU in the conference with 29.5 defensive boards per game.
Defensive bright spots on both sides
LSU and South Carolina both rank inside the national top-10 with block rates over 15%. The Gamecocks hold a block per game advantage, but the Tigers take the cake in steals.
With 12.5 steals per game and a 14% steal rate, LSU has the edge when it comes to quick hands at every level. Joyce Edwards and Ta'Niya Latson will be the toughest defensive assignments for the Tigers. Their effectiveness in guarding the Gamecocks' leading scorers and forcing turnovers will be key.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU vs. South Carolina women's basketball preview: 3 things to watch