South Carolina women’s basketball will face College of Charleston outdoors on September 27 at Credit One Stadium in Charleston, marking the program’s first-ever game outside a traditional arena. The event is part of the LinkU Invitational exhibition series, which will see five teams compete on a basketball court converted from the stadium’s usual tennis setup.
Coach Dawn Staley acknowledged the risks that come with playing outdoors in South Carolina during September, a month known for unpredictable weather, including hurricanes, heavy rain, and extreme heat. “Yes, we are real concerned about the court conditions,” Staley said. “But we got two games before ours to make a good decision … we’re not going to put anybody in harm’s way for sure. I think bottom line is player safety.”
The Gamecocks are scheduled to tip off at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, following two men’s games: Virginia vs Vanderbilt at noon and College of Charleston vs The Citadel at 2 p.m. The full-length games could push South Carolina’s start time back if earlier matches run long. Staley noted that playing last might give her team extra time to assess the court and weather conditions.
The LinkU Invitational website states that all games will go ahead rain or shine, though open seating areas could be cleared if weather threatens. In case of severe weather, organizers plan to move the games indoors to TD Arena at College of Charleston.
Recent weather interruptions in South Carolina’s sports calendar add context to the concerns. Lightning delays affected football games involving South Carolina and Clemson in the last two weeks. However, the current forecast for Charleston is promising, with sunny skies and a high of 80 degrees expected on game day.
This September exhibition is unusually early in the season for South Carolina, which typically holds its first exhibition in late October. Staley’s roster now includes seven new players: freshmen Justine Loubens, Kaeli Wynn, Kelsi Andrews, Oliviyah Edwards, and Jerzy Robinson, alongside transfers Brooke Quarles Daniels, a fifth-year guard from Michigan, and Jordan Lee, a junior who previously played two seasons at Texas.
Lee expressed excitement about the outdoor setting, calling it a “new, something that’s different” experience. “Any time an event like that has happened in college, I think it’s always been something that’s elevated, whether it’s in volleyball, basketball. So to be a part of it, have an outdoor environment … and to be able to represent the brand of South Carolina, we’re stoked.”
Credit One Stadium is better known for hosting tennis matches and concerts, so the basketball court’s setup will be novel for players and fans alike. The organizers hope the experiment pays off despite the weather risks inherent to the region in September.
South Carolina’s approach remains cautious as the date approaches. Staley’s focus on player safety and the contingency plans in place reflect an effort to balance the excitement of the outdoor game with the realities of unpredictable weather. Fans attending the event will be advised to follow announcements and cooperate with stadium staff should any weather-related changes arise.
According to Yahoo Sports.
