South Carolina vs NC State Predictions, Odds: Women’s Final Four Preview

The 2024 NCAA Women’s Final Four tips off on Friday night, with the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks meeting 3-seed NC State in Cleveland at 7 p.m. ET, followed by Iowa-UConn in Friday’s late game scheduled for 9 p.m.

South Carolina is a massive favorite over the Wolfpack despite NCSU’s impressive Sweet 16 and Elite 8 wins over 2-seed Stanford and 1-seed Texas, respectively. The Gamecocks, who began their NCAA Tournament run with a couple wins by more than 40 points, beat Indiana (79-75) in the Sweet 16, then clinched their Final Four spot by beating Oregon State (70-58) in the Elite 8.

Here, we will break down the South Carolina vs. NC State predictions and odds. Select the bet you like most at one of our top sportsbook apps and sign up to place your bet.

Related Pages: 2024 Women’s Final Four Odds | March Madness Odds | Best College Basketball Betting Sites

Oddsmakers have seen the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament as South Carolina’s to lose since before it tipped off. Coach Dawn Staley lost three top-10 picks in the 2023 WNBA Draft (2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, Laeticia Amihere, and Zia Cooke) from last year’s roster, but has once again led her team to an undefeated run to the Final Four. A year after suffering an upset loss to Caitlin Clark and Iowa at this stage, the Gamecocks (36-0, 16-0 SEC) are looking to win their third national title under Staley this weekend.

NC State (31-6, 13-5 ACC) has bounced back from an early exit from the NCAA Tournament in 2023 despite low preseason expectations. Guards Saniya Rivers (a former Gamecock) and Aziaha James led the Wolfpack to several impressive victories over ranked teams in the regular season. The Pack managed to upset both Stanford and Texas in the NCAA Tournament to reach the Final Four for the second time in program history.

Let’s get into the matchup and give our best South Carolina vs. NC State betting pick.

Read More: North Carolina March Madness Odds | Best College Basketball Betting Sites | March Madness Betting Promos

South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Preview

South Carolina does not have any weaknesses on paper, and the Gamecocks’ depth and balance allow them to win most games comfortably. Nine players regularly play extended minutes, which allows this team to wear down its opponents on the rare nights when the game is close in the third or fourth quarter.

The Gamecocks have played several close games recently, though: four of their last eight were decided by single-digits, including a 1-point win over Tennessee in the SEC Tournament Semifinals and a 4-point win over Indiana in the Sweet 16. South Carolina plays through Kamilla Cardoso (14 points, 9 rebounds per game), who’s been dominant down low, but Cardoso is one of seven players averaging at least 8 points per game for the deepest team in women’s college hoops.

NC State Wolfpack Betting Preview

What stands out about the Pack is how well it has played this year against the best teams in the country. NCSU went 7-3 against teams that finished in the top 25 in the final AP poll of the season. Including last weekend’s wins over Stanford and Texas, coach Wes Moore’s team is 4-1 vs. the top 10. State also took down UConn back in November and split two games against conference rival Notre Dame.

NCSU’s top scorers are Rivers and James, who have led the Pack to at least 76 points in each of its last three games. James was the star of State’s Elite 8 win over 1-seed Texas, with 27 points on seven made 3-pointers, and she also had 29 in the win over Stanford. The Pack can’t match South Carolina’s depth and balance, but all five of State’s starters average 10 points per game, and freshman reserve Zoe Brooks is a dangerous scorer who has broken out with 16, 12, and 10 points in the last three games.

The biggest question for NCSU is how it handles Cardoso in the paint, but Moore has to be encouraged by how his team held up against Stanford star Cameron Brink. The 2023-24 Pac-12 Player of the Year finished with just 13 points on 6-for-13 shooting against NCSU.

South Carolina vs NC State Predictions & Betting Pick

The Gamecocks’ status as heavy favorites in this matchup makes sense given their dominance over the last two seasons. They face a dangerous, battle-tested opponent on Friday night, though. The Pack’s record against ranked opponents and ability to knock down 3-pointers (NCSU made 16 of its 35 3-point attempts against Stanford and Texas) shows it can keep this close if it gets hot from outside.

But over the last two years, the only team that has been able to beat South Carolina is Iowa, and while the Wolfpack has a solid backcourt, it lacks a player of Caitlin Clark’s caliber, which is probably what it takes to knock off Cardoso and Co. Don’t be surprised if State keeps this one competitive and/or covers the spread, but South Carolina should advance to meet the winner of Iowa-UConn in the national title game on Sunday.

Prediction: South Carolina to advance

Duke vs NC State Betting Pick: NC State first half (+7.5 at time of publishing)

How to Watch South Carolina vs NC State

• Date: Friday, April 5, 2024
• Tip-Off: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse — Cleveland
• Where to Watch: ESPN/ESPN+