USC Trojans Face Uphill Battle Against Top-Seeded South Carolina Gamecocks

Trojans are massive underdogs after pulling off first-round NCAA Tournament upset

Mar. 22, 2026 at 12:56pm

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The No. 9 seed USC Trojans pulled off a surprise 71-67 win over No. 8 Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, setting up a showdown against the top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks. According to the latest odds, the Trojans are a massive +22.5 point underdog against the powerhouse Gamecocks, who are coming off a dominant 103-34 win over No. 16 Southern in the opening round.

Why it matters

USC will need to pull off another huge upset to advance in the tournament, as South Carolina is one of the top teams in the country with a 31-3 record and a No. 1 seed. The Gamecocks have proven themselves against tough SEC competition, while the Trojans are relatively inexperienced in the postseason.

The details

USC previously lost to South Carolina 69-52 back on Nov. 15, and the Gamecocks will be heavily favored in the rematch thanks to their size, balanced offense, and stifling defense. The Trojans will need a big game from star player Jazzy Davidson, who scored 31 points in the win over Clemson, as well as improved production from their bench, which only had 2 points in the first-round victory.

  • The USC-South Carolina game is scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2026.
  • USC pulled off its first-round upset over Clemson on March 21, 2026.

The players

Lindsay Gottlieb

The head coach of the USC Trojans women's basketball team.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, known for building the program into a national powerhouse.

Jazzy Davidson

The star player for the USC Trojans, who scored 31 points in the team's first-round NCAA Tournament win over Clemson.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

Despite the Trojans' impressive first-round upset, they face a daunting challenge against the top-seeded and highly experienced South Carolina Gamecocks. USC will need to play a near-perfect game and get major contributions from its supporting cast to have a chance at pulling off another stunner and advancing in the NCAA Tournament.