The Gamecocks opened at +450 on ESPN Bet to win the 2026 women’s NCAA basketball tournament, which puts them at the top of the odds board over USC (+500) and 2025’s newly-minted champion, UConn (+600). Texas, Notre Dame and LSU are tied for fourth at +750, while UCLA opened just behind at +850.

Watch the University of Connecticut Huskies taking on the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday, April 6.

South Carolina’s reign as national champions is over, however the future remains promising for the Gamecocks under Dawn Staley, who has transformed her program into a perennial Final Four contender over the past decade.