Iowa State vs South Carolina: Everything You Need to Know Ahead of This Must-See Matchup
As we get ready for Turkey day, we’re in for another kind of treat between two titans. South Carolina will face off against Iowa State on Thursday in a highly anticipated matchup between two electric programs. We’ve known for a minute what the Gamecocks are about: Dawn Staley is always going to make sure her squad is ready, while Bill Fennelly and the Cyclones have spun into the spotlight and made their competitive presence known.
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Here’s what you need to know about both teams ahead of the game:
Record: 5-1 | Team’s vibe: 🌪✨🫡
Iowa State is off to a strong start this season. Led by sophomore center Audi Crooks, who has had a major impact this season and is averaging 21.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while forward Addy Brown contributes 16.2 points and 8.7 rebounds. In a close match-up, Iowa State defeated Drake University by just two points, with Crooks delivering a huge 33-point performance to secure the win.
Head coach Bill Fennelly knows his team is up for a challenge. Expect the Cyclones to embrace this must-see matchup while proving what they can do against the reigning champs. As Coach Fennelly put it, “Anything you don’t do well is going to be exposed at a very high level, but if we can do it against them, we can do it against anyone.”
Here’s a fun clip of just how well Fennelly know’s his squad:
Record: 5-1. | Team’s vibe:🔒🤙🐔
Despite the fact that South Carolina is coming off of a tough loss against UCLA (which marks their first loss since 2023 and the end to their 43 game win streak), don’t sleep on the Gamecocks. They’re the reigning champs for a reason: with an electric roster and a visionary head coach, SC’s squad is led by fifth year senior Te-Hina Paopao, who has been stepping up in every aspect this season and is averaging 14.2 points and 3.3 assists per game. Adding to the dominating team, Chloe Kitts has been a rebounding machine for the team averaging a near double double of 9.2 rebounds per game with 11.6 points.
You can bet head coach Dawn Staley will be making strong adjustments to bounce back, stating, “We have to figure things out a little bit… this is what we usually do to other teams.”
You already know the Gamecocks bring all the vibes on gameday:
@gamecockwbb Finally at Colonial Life Arena tonight!! #fyp #wbb #ncaawbb #secwbb #ncaawbball #southcarolinawbb #southcarolina #uofsc ♬ original sound – Gamecock Women’s Basketball
Photos via Getty Images.
