South Carolina vs. Notre Dame Betting and Game Preview

The college basketball season tips off with a bang on Monday afternoon as Notre Dame and South Carolina take on one another in an unprecedented non-conference game in Paris, France.

South Carolina (6) and Notre Dame (10) are both viewed as second week of the NCAA Tournament teams by AP voters headed into the season, right back on track with where they worked their way to last season.

In the premier matchup in week one of the NCAA season, we'll learn a lot about both programs and what this year may hold for them.

South Carolina +1500 to Win the NCAA Title

Gone are the Freshies that dominated college basketball, all moving onto the pro level. However, don't let that fool you, this team is deep, they're highly talented, and they are still very much a contender.

Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley has been open about how different it's been teaching this group, whereas the last few years were pushed by a group that had been making an impact since they stepped on campus with high expectations. However, she's been equally praising of their talent, willingness to learn, and the potential of them as individuals and a group.

Part of what's so enticing about this team is that we aren't entirely sure how it will all come together, but the potential is brimming for them.

Kamilla Cardoso will step in as a starter, one of the premier post players in the country a season ago. Raven Johnson is back with a year of running Staley's offense under her belt and will be key as a distributor. Oregon transfer Te-Hina Paopao brings a great compliment to Johnson as a shooter who can operate on and off the ball.

True freshman guard Milaysia Fulwiley is one of the most interesting impact players in the country; watching to see what her role will be off rip, and what it can be in the immediate future, will be exciting.

She's a special shifty athlete with remarkable downhill burst and a penchant for flair, but with effect. She's an audacious shooter and finisher with a fantastic package as a paint penetrating guard. There are few in the country that can do what she does at the level she can.

How much will the offense change from this past season? What will be this team's identity after being one of the strongest defensive units in basketball history in 2023?

While Carolina has many questions to answer, the rest of the country has to answer those same questions as well.

South Carolina +1500 odds to win the National Championship per DraftKings Sportsbook.

Notre Dame +2500 to Win the NCAA Title

The Fighting Irish enter year four under Niele Ivey, with her first class of recruits entering as upperclassmen now. This is her program, her vision is fully imprinted, and year four feels like the year where the vision fully comes together. While much hangs in the air with the uncertainty of star guard Olivia Miles' potential return from her knee injury, this team is deep, they have remarkable top end talent, and they're experienced.

Sonia Citron started to unlock another gear with Miles out, taking on more of a role as a go to scorer and initiator of the offense. She's already one of the best all around players in the ACC and the country, and she's shown the skill and competitiveness to be a star.

Maddy Westbeld and Kylee Watson are two of the most experienced and versatile posts in the country; they can pass, roll, attack the basket off the bounce, post up, run the floor, and play multiple defensive coverages. Westbeld can really shoot the ball. Grad Transfer, Becky Obinma, brings mobility running the court and as a defender, with fantastic screening and some added ability as a post scorer.

Anna DeWolfe was one of my favorite transfers of the cycle, a combo guard who can run offense in a pinch, but arguably the best shooter the program has had under Ivey. 

Hannah Hidalgo can elevate this group to a different level as a freshman, someone Niele Ivey has compared to WNBA star and Notre Dame legend Skylar Diggins-Smith.

She's a ferocious competitor and defender, and a growing 3-level scorer with incredible pop around the rim and ability to create getting downhill. Especially with Miles out, Hidalgo's immediate impact will be massive.

The Irish's wing room of KK Bransford and Cassandre Prosper will be imperative as players who unlock the ability to make Notre Dame the most versatile team in the country.

Notre Dame +2500 to win the National Championship per DraftKings Sportsbook.